Whether or not you are Catholic, "Mass Appeal" is an excellent film because it gets you to think. It may offend you--but it certainly will get you to think. Because of this, it's well worth seeing.

The film begins with a priest (Jack Lemmon) having an unusual service. Instead of a pre-written sermon, he opens the floor to questions. The problem is, a young man (Zeljko Ivanek) asks some interesting questions about women in the priesthood--and the priest isn't prepared to actually answer any questions of substance.

Later, Lemmon is called to the local seminary for a meeting--there are rumors two of the students might be gay. When he arrives, he sees the same young man who interrupted his meeting and realizes he's one of the seminary students. Ivanek further makes a nuisance of himself by defending the two accused students. In fact, the Monsignor (Charles Durning) is ready to keep Ivanek from the priesthood forever. But, despite the young man irritating him, Lemmon defends him--and is punished by Durning. The punishment--having to take this young seminarian under his wing as his new assistant. Unfortunately, things do NOT go smoothly--and all sorts of chaos occurs because the young man is too independent a thinker and he asks too many questions.

The film will likely offend some Catholics. You can't get around that. The subjects of gay or female clergy clearly are not acceptable to many folks. However, even if you believe this to be true, I like how the film gets you to think and listen to other opinions. And, now that I think about it, it's a rare film because it makes you think. In addition to a thought-provoking script, the film also has some great acting and it's a film that doesn't underestimate the audience's intelligence. Well worth seeing regardless of your faith.

By the way, one of the producers of the film was Joan Kroc. She was the wife of Ray Kroc (the founder of McDonald's) and owner of the San Diego Padres. It was her only foray into films.

"Mass Appeal" is enjoyable on several levels. It works as an examination of the depth of contemporary religious beliefs and their current role in our society, as an indictment of an inflexible system (the Catholic church),and as a comment on the travails of two very different men (ostensibly of the same "cloth") seeking spiritual happiness. Unfortunately, as a "mass appeal" film, not all of the issues are satisfactorily handled, but the film is entertaining nonetheless. Greg Cundiff's excellent review neatly summarizes some key plot issues and holes. For example, I found Ivanek's/Dolson's devotion and desire compelling, but what on earth would make him think that a parish of strangers would listen to his excoriations and then embrace him as their pastor? I agree with Cundiff that the lack of clarity surrounding this fundamental plot point does not help the film. I was also disappointed that Durning's character was unambiguously drawn as the heavy. A more balanced approach may have helped here. Farley's attempt at leading a discussion of the role of women priests is unusually framed, but ultimately leaves the viewer desiring a more compelling resolution to the issue.

Strongly on the plus side, Lemmon is an excellent choice for the lead (whi ch allows him to display his comic and dramatic talents equally). Farley's story is as compelling as Dolson's, and Lemmon squeezes every drop of drama from the script. His final "mass appeal" is quite affecting. Ivanek is intense as Dolson, but Charles Durning's role could be played by anyone. The film is nicely "shot" and has an exhilarating soundtrack at points.

A "7" out of "10."

I consider this film to be a real little gem -- unlike the original Broadway production. Its premises ring true and the ensemble acting is superb. Lemmon and Ivanek are extremely well matched as lost or submerged parts of the other in this cautionary tale about mainstream religion straining at the limits of its ability to accommodate and hold accountable truths found in the "wider" world. Lemmon's performance, especially, is artless and memorable, avoiding sentimentality and undue predictability. It is most unfortunate that in the days after Lemmon's death that no reviewer of his oeurve decided to cite this film or show clips from it in describing the actor's versatility and "every-manness." It should not be missed; so compelling is the uneasy and finally transformative relationship between the two men that one is left wondering what happens to both priest and seminarian in the years that follow. Rent this of a Sunday afternoon when you're longing to experience some rising spirit.