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The hit faith film of 2022, Father Stu, was released digitally at the tail end of March and it’s getting ready for its move to DVD and Blu-ray on June 14. To promote the upcoming release, Sony Pictures Entertainment is offering an extended preview featuring nine gripping minutes of the movie. The extended preview can be viewed in the video above.
Father Stu
Starring Academy Award Nominee Mark Wahlberg in the title role, Father Stu follows the true life story of Fr. Stuart Long and his unexpected path to the priesthood. Long spent the first half of his life trying to make it on the amateur boxing circuit, only to have his hopes of a boxing career dashed by injury. Deciding to give acting a shot, he moved to Los Angeles, where he supported himself working at a grocery store while trying to find work in film.
During his time in LA, he developed a crush on a woman named Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), who guided him to become baptized and deepen his Catholic faith, while spurning his advances. After a near fatal motorcycle accident, Stu identified a deeper calling and was led to the seminary despite skepticism from church officials and even his own parents.
It’s at the seminary that the film becomes a vehicle to deepen faith. Watching an average man, full of flaws, become changed through his encounters with the Catholic faith reminds us of the redemption that awaits all who seek it within the Church. It also injects some excellent humor into the movie, asStu’s rough-and-tumble personality often puts him at odds with his instructors and fellow students.
Aleteia’s own David Ives best described the movie:
“Given that Father Stu is based on true events, the outcome of it all is simultaneously sad and uplifting in that way only real life can be. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons test audiences are responding so well to the film. It’s a straightforward earnestly told tale of a regular Joe who manages to find God’s purpose in his life even though the path to it is filled with obstacles and the destination is nowhere near where he thought it would be. Isn’t that so often the case?”
DVD and Blu-ray
Father Stu is set to release on DVD and Blu-ray on June 14, which will feature bonus material, “You Don’t Know Stu: More About Father Stuart Long,” and over 10 minutes of deleted scenes. The 125-minute feature film is rated R for strong language. Despite the occasional profanity, Fr. Stu’s story is an inspiring one, full of deeply Catholic themes such as love and forgiveness. The audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, after 1,000+ verified ratings, is a whopping 95%.
Visit Sony Pictures Entertainment to learn how to get your copy.
And today we celebrate...