I have thought from time to time about the Oscar-winning film "Elmer Gantry" (1960), starring Burt Lancaster, and wondered what the story of the con man preacher who falls for a virginal sincere Christian woman would be like if it was done today as a contemporary piece.
"Canaan Land" is not a remake of Elmer Gantry, but Rossi, who has played Elmer Gantry on stage to stellar reviews, has been influenced by the classics, yet reinvents the story for the 21st century internet age.
Rebecca Holden of Knight Rider fame sings and acts the part of the female evangelist Sister Sara well and is very well cast. Rossi as the con man Brother Billy Gantry gives the character an odd, childlike quirkiness that somehow bewitches me into rooting for him as the rogue, petty hustler.
The film in general has an odd atmosphere. It was shot in Hollywood on a micro-budget yet somehow transports us into a mythic place of dancing clowns, rock and rollers, Pentecostals, a motley collection of saints and sinners.
The film's poster shows the comedy and campiness of the first half of the film, but once you are drawn in there is a shift into drama as Brother Billy's paramour and preaching partner Sister Sara realizes he is fake and doesn't really believe.
In addition to Rossi and Holden, other standout performances are Isaac Bar-Jonah as a young black man who helps Gantry with his cons, and Jozy Pollock as a spiritual mother to Sister Sara.
"Get the gold dust!" Brother Billy yells, in his gold glitter jacket that has spawned a fashion trend and is sold in stores worldwide as the "Brother Billy Canaan Land jacket." There is a reason Billy's look and eccentricities have become iconic. Rossi has tapped into archetypes both in the characters and the story.
If capturing the audience and making you watch it is the criteria for a review, it is a near perfect film. Some who expect every film to be mega-budget may say it's only lack is Rossi made it by the force of his will, with volunteers shooting on whatever cameras or cellphones they had. As an outsider to the studio system, he has triumphed. He got it made, by God, and we can watch his passion project and let it feed our souls.
"Canaan Land" is not a remake of Elmer Gantry, but Rossi, who has played Elmer Gantry on stage to stellar reviews, has been influenced by the classics, yet reinvents the story for the 21st century internet age.
Rebecca Holden of Knight Rider fame sings and acts the part of the female evangelist Sister Sara well and is very well cast. Rossi as the con man Brother Billy Gantry gives the character an odd, childlike quirkiness that somehow bewitches me into rooting for him as the rogue, petty hustler.
The film in general has an odd atmosphere. It was shot in Hollywood on a micro-budget yet somehow transports us into a mythic place of dancing clowns, rock and rollers, Pentecostals, a motley collection of saints and sinners.
The film's poster shows the comedy and campiness of the first half of the film, but once you are drawn in there is a shift into drama as Brother Billy's paramour and preaching partner Sister Sara realizes he is fake and doesn't really believe.
In addition to Rossi and Holden, other standout performances are Isaac Bar-Jonah as a young black man who helps Gantry with his cons, and Jozy Pollock as a spiritual mother to Sister Sara.
"Get the gold dust!" Brother Billy yells, in his gold glitter jacket that has spawned a fashion trend and is sold in stores worldwide as the "Brother Billy Canaan Land jacket." There is a reason Billy's look and eccentricities have become iconic. Rossi has tapped into archetypes both in the characters and the story.
If capturing the audience and making you watch it is the criteria for a review, it is a near perfect film. Some who expect every film to be mega-budget may say it's only lack is Rossi made it by the force of his will, with volunteers shooting on whatever cameras or cellphones they had. As an outsider to the studio system, he has triumphed. He got it made, by God, and we can watch his passion project and let it feed our souls.