"Marjoe" is an exposee apparently orchestrated by the evangelist, Marjoe Gortner, as a way to say goodbye to this life by tossing a figurative Molotov Cocktail into the traveling evangelist profession. He had begun his ministry at age 3 and worked in it, off and on, many, many years. With this film, he is declaring his independence and walking away from that life.
I thought it was a very fascinating but ill-focused film. Instead of talking about his fascinating life (which I wish we'd heard far more about in the film), much of the documentary shows Marjoe preaching at various venues--and there is way, way too much footage of this and the apoplectic reactions of many in his audience. It was interesting (especially for someone not too familiar with the Pentecostal movement)--but so much in the film seemed repetitive and slow. Because of this aspect alone, I am a bit surprised that this documentary won the Oscar in this category.
I think there is a lot people can take out of this film. Of course, there is some great first-hand information about the hucksters in the traveling evangelism business, but I also thought it was interesting to see these Pentecostal services in action as they are FAR removed from mainstream Christianity. Some might also just see it as a broad attack on Christianity and religion--thought I didn't take that from the film. Probably in light of my background in the mental health field, I thought the film was a great portrait of a very charismatic sociopath. I noticed that although Marjoe did this film to expose the industry, they sure showed him counting a lot of money! Later, he says how it's all fake and says he is sorry for deceiving people...though he did not, I notice, refuse to take all the people's money or offer to give any of it back! As a result, I was appalled by Gortner, as he seemed to be saying he was turning over a new leaf---yet still swindling people in the process--and probably laughing at them! I would love to have heard him explain this and when someone in the film asked him if he was a con-man (which, of course, he was) he didn't actually answer the question! This is, I think, the point that the film SHOULD have focused on--but as Gortner seemed to be running the production, this angle was not explored further. I would really love to see a followup film to both see where he is today and to explore his life and the way he used others. Interestingly, although he has given up this old life, he still seemed to have a strong need to be liked and to be the center of attention in this film--so maybe there is less difference between his old life and the new! Maybe Marjoe the professional actor of the 1970s and 80s isn't that much removed from the evangelist!
Worth seeing but quite flawed in its style and lack of clear focus.
I thought it was a very fascinating but ill-focused film. Instead of talking about his fascinating life (which I wish we'd heard far more about in the film), much of the documentary shows Marjoe preaching at various venues--and there is way, way too much footage of this and the apoplectic reactions of many in his audience. It was interesting (especially for someone not too familiar with the Pentecostal movement)--but so much in the film seemed repetitive and slow. Because of this aspect alone, I am a bit surprised that this documentary won the Oscar in this category.
I think there is a lot people can take out of this film. Of course, there is some great first-hand information about the hucksters in the traveling evangelism business, but I also thought it was interesting to see these Pentecostal services in action as they are FAR removed from mainstream Christianity. Some might also just see it as a broad attack on Christianity and religion--thought I didn't take that from the film. Probably in light of my background in the mental health field, I thought the film was a great portrait of a very charismatic sociopath. I noticed that although Marjoe did this film to expose the industry, they sure showed him counting a lot of money! Later, he says how it's all fake and says he is sorry for deceiving people...though he did not, I notice, refuse to take all the people's money or offer to give any of it back! As a result, I was appalled by Gortner, as he seemed to be saying he was turning over a new leaf---yet still swindling people in the process--and probably laughing at them! I would love to have heard him explain this and when someone in the film asked him if he was a con-man (which, of course, he was) he didn't actually answer the question! This is, I think, the point that the film SHOULD have focused on--but as Gortner seemed to be running the production, this angle was not explored further. I would really love to see a followup film to both see where he is today and to explore his life and the way he used others. Interestingly, although he has given up this old life, he still seemed to have a strong need to be liked and to be the center of attention in this film--so maybe there is less difference between his old life and the new! Maybe Marjoe the professional actor of the 1970s and 80s isn't that much removed from the evangelist!
Worth seeing but quite flawed in its style and lack of clear focus.