Review of Elmer Gantry (1960) by John F — 27 Jun 2011

It's rare for a screenplay to capture even the gist of great literature, much less the nuances. Film just doesn't have time for these niceties. Elmer Gantry is the exception - a fine attempt at transcribing Sinclair Lewis to the screen. And wonderful performances by Lancaster, Simmons, Kennedy, and Jones.

Many reviewers will stop short and revel in the hypocrisy of the Babbitts and the Gantrys - religion is a popular target these days. But the real axis of the movie is Arthur Kennedy's "thinking man" - Jim Lefferts - who warns of the con of "Revivalism" but who grows to like Gantry and Sister Falconer (loosely based on the evangelist Amy Semple McPherson). Their message of faith and idealism actually resonates with Lefferts' intellectual bent, but as he so sadly states "I'd love to believe in it - but I don't".

Shirley Jones may have the most significant role of the movie. The prostitute's forgiveness of Gantry in the face of Public censure is the embodiment of the Christian principles that Gantry and Sister Falconer have been preaching, and her plight affords Gantry the redemption he has been seeking all along, freeing him to go on with his life and "Put away Childish things.".

There is nothing easy in EG - all characters are 3-dimensional with equal parts good and evil, pride and despair. A simply fabulous movie, with no compromise of ideas or integrity. Hard to write a review - you need to see it!