Review of Leap of Faith (1992) by Prasad P — 01 Nov 2009

A sensible, well-acted and solidly made comedy drama, with Steve Martin for once using his comedic and dramatic gifts well as the Reverend Jonas Nightengale, an itinerant preacher and con artist who travels America offering hope to the hopeless - in a pure moneymaking venture.

The film charts his troupe's stop at one town in middle America, where a sensible sherriff (Liam Neeson) tries to stop him and a young boy (Lukas Haas) looks for healing. Martin delivers a fine performance as Nightengale, at once the showman-preacher and jaded man of the world, who still does have a spark of humanity left in him.

Debra Winger too charms as his faithful assistant who longs for a settled life as she dallies with Neeson's town sherriff. The film itself is a solidly told tale, and does make interesting insights into the nature of the religious revival, but is not brave enough to tackle the issue head on.

In the end, it is an entertaining, well-acted and directed light dramedy, and one of the better films in Steve Martin's filmography. Look for future Oscar winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman in a bit part as one of Nightengale's roadies.