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Reviews
Aimee Semple McPherson (2006)
What makes this superior
What makes this film and Rossi's work superior to other "Christian" filmmakers? Recently, "The Simpson's" did a brilliant parody of the evangelical movie "Left Behind," humorously demonstrating the preachy, didactic, elitist, proselytizing tripe of most Christian film. Rossi, though deeply spiritual, makes films as an artist, not a propagandist. In contrast to the Sunday School writing and wooden acting of TBN-type films, Rance Howard's nuanced performance and Mimi Michaels gifted presence reveal a filmmaker who believes deeply in his Saviour who brought director Rossi out of his much publicized past depression and despair and into recovery and grace, but who is willing to honesty look at that brokenness. His films are based on the maxim of Jesus "the truth shall set you free," rather than the evangelical agenda of a TV conglomerate or a national ministry. He is free to make work that matters critically. He explores the dysfunction and humanity of Aimee, Minnie, David and all his characters without the evangelical restraints of moralization. Though other faith-based film outfits like Cloud Ten, the Christiano brothers, Billy Graham's Worldwide Pictures, TBN's Gener8xion films, may have an appealing donor base and bank statement, they have an appalling critical track record with the movie-going public who come to the theater to be entertained not preached to. Rossi appeals as a crossover artist to the non Christian market with a Christian story and he is the only one among those mentioned above to merit serious artistic consideration. He's not pigeon-holed into apocalyptic pretentious fluff. He is an actor's director.