Mass Appeal

It's too bad 1984's MASS APPEAL is so distressingly pat, so much like a TV Movie of the Week, the type that was so popular in its day.  Director Glenn Jordan is best known for his work in television, and it shows.  This could've/should've been an angrier, grittier drama about big things like faith, the church, the priesthood, sense of purpose, hypocrisy, sexual identity, materialism, status quo, cult of celebrity, and much more.  All of these topics are covered, sometimes with satisfaction, but the entire film just feels too cozy and designed to appeal to middle brow audiences.  Another "dramedy".

The great Jack Lemmon (who is once again great here) plays Father Tim Farley, longtime priest at a Catholic parish in a tony suburb.  He's popular for his entertaining, uncontroversial sermons, always peppered with jokes.  He regularly has drinks with his congregants, and by himself in his office.  He drives a Mercedes.  He toes the line.  During one Sunday service, a young, brash seminary student questions/challenges Farley on his view of women's roles in the church, namely if they should be allowed to become ordained.  Farley, always the charming peacemaker, rebuffs him several times before suggesting he get his own pulpit.

Farley will get to know Mark (Zelijko Ivanek), a deep thinker who aspires to become a priest but is always questioning The Church, something that has made him unpopular with his professors and especially  Monsignor Thomas Burke (Charles Durning), who assigns him to Farley's parish. Is this a vindictive act, as Burke and Farley have less than a warm relationship? Even revenge for Farley's repeated decline of dinner invitations?

Will Mark "fall in line" under the tutelage of the older, rule following Farley?  Bill C. Davis, who adapts his own play, provides long sections of fascinating, truthful dialogues between the men. Real meat, with honest emotions.  Questions raised about comfortable churchgoing and so-called followers who can't seem to part with their comfortable lifestyles.  Mark and father Farley even open up about their own lives.  I wish the film was only about them, as was the play.  The other elements and characters of MASS APPEAL are predictable and tired for the most part, though all of the actors, including Louise Latham as Farley's secretary are just fine.

But the Neil Simon-like comedy and scene choices really hurt the picture.  That last image of Mark is, yes, unforgivable.  So is Bill Conti's wildly manipulative score, which is '80s feel good at its worst, and a possible venial sin in itself.