Synopsis
Somewhere between laughter and tears, they found something to believe in.
A young seminarian rattles the established order at a Catholic parish run by an older pastor.
Mass Appeal
Cast
Jack Lemmon Zeljko Ivanek Charles Durning Louise Latham Alice Hirson Helene Heigh Sharee Gregory James Ray Lois de Banzie Talia Balsam Jerry Hardin R.J. Williams Noni White Gloria Stuart Maggie Gwinn F. William Parker John Vargas Fran Robinson Richard Doyle Terry Wills Suzanne Kent Christopher Carroll John Devlin Ann Nelson John C. Becher
Director
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Original Writer
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Executive Producer
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Production Design
Set Decoration
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Costume Design
Studios
David Foster Productions Jalem Productions Operation Cork The Turman-Foster Company Universal Pictures
Country
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Alternative Titles
Die Auseinandersetzung, Crise de Consciência, Papi védőbeszéd, 呼吁
Releases by Date
Theatrical
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USAPG
Releases by Country
USA
14 Dec 1984
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watched a very poor VHS rip of this on youtube because my gf is horny for jack lemmon 😞
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Filmed version of the Bill C. Davis two person play which has been 'opened up' to include more characters mentioned in the piece and more environs of outdoor and indoor variety. AS a fan of films debating religious constructs and hypocrisy, MASS APPEAL delivers the goods in its performances and dialogue. Especially memorable is Jack Lemmon as the older glad handing cynical priest of a suburban Catholic church who plays the 'game' and drinks a little too much Communion wine. Lemmon's character is saddled with a rebellious, radical thinking young man who wishes to enter the priesthood and is assigned to his parish as a Deacon on spec by a prejudiced and authoritative head of the local seminary played by…
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Jack Lemmon plays a Catholic priest who takes a young seminarian (Zeljko Ivanek) under his wing to try and shape him. Soon the priest realizes that the young man might be too controversial for the role.
MASS APPEAL is a rather small movie that was based on a stage play. From what I've read the play only had two actors so the movie opens things up a lot more by allowing in more characters. I really wasn't sure where the film was going to go during the first few scenes but it eventually took off and in my opinion this is one of the best movies to deal with the hypocrisy of religion.
My grandfather was a preacher and I…
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A surprisingly insightful examination of organized religion having a tendency towards being a show and matter of tradition, rather than something that should be about introspection of the soul and communal betterment of the whole. Even priests who are generally wholesome individuals can fall prey to putting personal standing ahead of facing the truth or fighting for beneficial change. There is an inherent flaw in expecting priests to not have human faults, and a certain hypocrisy in the overall structures of these organizations.
Zeljko Ivanek gives a particularly well attuned performance as a young priest in training who has great ideals, but has to learn how to better present himself, while simultaneously dealing with the conservative leadership who oppose him. His desire to help others, while having a fiery adherence to personal philosophy, is palpable. Jack Lemmon is charming and thoughtful, although maybe a bit more predictable, as a priest who is slowly coming to terms with his own complacency.
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This is an extremely well acted film that deals with complex social issues regarding religion and homophobia. A hidden gem and a must watch!
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Jack Lemmon and Zeljko Ivanek star in "Mass Appeal," a 1984 film based on the Broadway play. It concerns a popular priest who is assigned a young, intense seminarian, Mark Dolson (Ivanek). Dolson makes Father Farley question his values, his beliefs, and ultimately his courage to rock the boat.
The conflict between these two men, exact opposites - one, Farley, who takes the easy way out every time - and Dolson, whose unabashed honesty causes constant difficulty for himself - make for an absorbing drama.
When Dolson's suitability for priesthood is at stake, Father Farley has to make a decision whether or not to ask his congregation for support, and in so doing, take a stand against a strictly by…
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Jack Lemmon is a lot like Thelonious Monk in that he is so thoroughly Jack Lemmon in every thing he does but he can get different action and meaning with the same idiosyncratic notes he always uses within the larger context of the work.
He can be serious, funny, manic, heartbreaking - just about every thing in an actor’s tool box but he makes his language and expression work within the confines of being Jack Lemmon. That’s what I love about him. He’s the opposite of Kevin Costner.
This is a rewarding watch. Zeljko Ivanek is great as the other lead.
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