Machine Gun Preacher

Just imagine…

Your heart getting crushed in the iron fists of cold, brutal & naked truth of potbellied yet starving, almost-skeleton orphans of Sudan! Your heart bleeding & thumping at the same time! It is a spiritual journey of a man who leaves behind the luxuries, safety & security of his heaven, Pennsylvania, in order to bring some relief & hope in the living-hell of Sudan! It is the story of the rise of the Fallen Angel, Sam Childers (Gerard Butler).

Sam transforms from a violent, ruthless, impulsive drug-addict to a God-loving, hardworking & honest businessman, after his very first encounter with spirituality at a local church. His construction business grows & he wins back the faith, trust & respect of his mother-Daisy (Kathy Baker), wife- Lynn (Michelle Monaghan) & daughter-Page (Madeline Carroll). On one of his visits to the church, Sam is moved by a pastor’s poignant account of the lack of support by the abled, towards the needy in Sudan. He goes to Africa, to help at a construction site as a mason. During the stay, he visits the “war-zone” & a relief camp where he sees for the first time the gruesome sight of the war victims. From then on he is haunted by the physical, mental & emotional plight of the injured!

With the help of Deng (SouleymaneSy Savane) & Marco (Mduduzi Mabaso), he earns the titles, the “white preacher” & then the “Machinegun preacher” in his mission to save as many lives as he can. What price does he have to pay for the selfless deed? How does he manage to raise funds? How does he balance his family in Pennsylvania & the “adopted” family in Sudan? What is he losing to accomplish his mission?

The movie transports the audience into the cruel desert of terrorism & war, but not before long it slaps us back to the beauty, yet ugly of the lush green of abundance. It proves that there are two worlds, one: the rich, posh, elite, wealthy & above all safe & Two: hungry, poor, helpless & unsafe, it is what we call: the third-world.

Cinematography, script, casting, dialogues & performances at its very best! The movie will bring to surface guilt, hatred, anger & fear- emotions we would like to burry deep within and simultaniously it will unravel love, hope, forgiveness & empathy- treasures buried & forgotten within our hearts & soul! Ironic but true! There are various POVs to watch the film, ranging from the protagonist’s emotional, spiritual & mental struggle to the plight & fight of the children for survival- No matter what POV you watch it from, it is sure to bring out contradictory emotions & reactions just like its oxymoron title “the Machine Gun Preacher”!

With soft music & harsh realities, the film will make your heart weep- out of sorrow & guilt and yet your eyes will turn to the heaven, tearless out of gratitude for what you have!

MUST WATCH!

L(ov+uc)

P.S. the movie has lot of violence episodes & ghastly scenes & must not be watched by weak hearted & children!