Review of Machine Gun Preacher (2011) by Andy P — 18 Dec 2012

I've been partial to good movies, based on true stories. This is one of those movies. A gang member (Sam Childers), just released from prison, reverts back to his old ways. His wife and daughter, however, began going to church while he was in prison. Sam realizes he needs to change his life.

After going clean and setting his life straight, he started his own church "for sinners; like me". He connected with a missionary doing work in Uganda and Sudan, eventually protecting children the LRA -- a group that would kidnap young children and teach them to be "soldiers" for Kony (you may have heard of him). Sam found purpose in his life by helping these children. His life was messy; he could relate to the mess these children were going through.

Gerard Butler is captivating as Sam Childers. To the point that I would consider him for a lead part in my own screenplay if it ever came to that. Michelle Monaghan was effective as his wife. It's rated R for a reason (this is not Fireproof or Facing the Giants). It is raw but effective.