By BRINTON WILKINS
Brinton@newsroom.byu.edu
'God's Army' is a tour-de-force film not to be missed.
Covering topics as diverse as reluctant companions, cancer and missionary humor, it packs a wallop that the director hopes will strike a chord with LDS and non-LDS audiences alike.
Filmmaker Richard Dutcher, a graduate of BYU's film program, and his production company, Zion Films, have crafted a film which takes a look at humdrum but life-altering everyday missionary life.
Following the first days of Elder Brandon Allen's mission in Hollywood, California, 'God's Army' focuses on the education of one new missionary.
Allen confronts discouragement, fear and despair as he learns from his companion, Elder Dalton, how to be a missionary and an adult.
But this is not 'A Labor of Love.' 'God's Army' was not sponsored or funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film takes an honest look at the less glamorous sides of missionary work, such as companions who leave the Church, death, families that fall apart and poor living conditions.
Dutcher hopes that these universal themes, not the doctrine, will draw people to the film.
'I don't want this film to be a tract,' he said. The film focuses on the missionaries' humanity, which does involve their faith, but not the faith alone.
The cast and crew, Dutcher said, were largely non-LDS.
'In films made by the Church, when a certain emotion is wanted you hear a certain kind of music,' he said. 'And there's a certain kind of cinematography that comes along with Church films -- very warm and beautiful and perfect. I didn't want any of that.'
Dutcher doesn't make any apologies about the movie's religiosity and he hopes that both LDS and non-LDS audiences will relax and enjoy the film.
The theology is handled tactfully and gracefully, even as it tackles subjects such as blacks and the priesthood and families that don't want to be together forever.
'God's Army' was shot on location in Los Angeles and has an intense feeling of reality.
The atmosphere of the piece is established early in the movie as Allen is driven through Los Angeles and shown the sites, including the unpleasant ones.
The film's conflicts come from characters meeting and changing. Strong characterization is the driving force of this movie. The missionaries are not perfect. Their shirts are not ironed, the apartment is not clean, and they fight and threaten each other.
The actors' performances are laced with nuance. Matthew Brown, who plays Elder Allen, conveys the nervousness and fear of new missionaries with great power. There is not a weak performance in the large ensemble cast of more than 40.
The original score is used effectively to heighten emotions and even emphasize the occasional irony of tracting and street-contacting.
'God's Army' opens in Utah theaters March 10. It is rated PG for adult themes.
For further information:
Official 'God's Army' Web site