The Calling (I) (2002)

The Leroy Jenkins Story, following the controversial life of evangelist Leroy Jenkins

Director:

Damian Chapa

Writers:

Damian Chapa, Aaron Pugliese

Stars:

Damian Chapa, Robert Wagner, Faye Dunaway

Cast

Credited cast:
Damian Chapa	...	Leroy Jenkins
Robert Wagner	...	Amos
Faye Dunaway	...	Mae West
Brad Dourif	...	B.B. Gallen
Jill St. John	...	Elegant Lady
Nils Allen Stewart	...	Prison Guard Freer
Ricco Chapa	...	Young Leroy Jenkins
Elyse Mirto	...	Polly Jenkins (as Elyse Marie Mirto)
Pattie McLellan Stephens	...	Willie Mae
London King	...	Ruby Jenkins
William McNamara	...	Bobby Murky
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fred Anderson	...	Dexter, a Southern cop
Walker Brandt	...	Starring
Rico Chapa	...	Screaming Prisoner (as Roland Rico Chapa)
Jim Damron	...	Doctor Evans

Storyline

From an early age, Leroy Jenkins is called by a mysterious force he knows only as 'The Spirit'. Abandoned by his Cherokee mother and scorned as 'half-injun', Leroy is raised poor by a rural South Carolina family. Strange voices and supernatural occurrences haunt his early life and he runs from them until the age of 22 when a freak accident - or something more brings him close to death and finally to an Atlanta tent revival where he is miraculously healed. Transformed through faith and endowed with the power to heal others through The Spirit, Leroy begins his career as an evangelist and quickly builds one of the largest ministries in America, befriending the likes of Mae West and soon becoming a celebrity himself. He rocks the establishment as he sings the gospel like Elvis, takes wardrobe tips from Liberace and violently lashes out at anyone who doubts or opposes him, including the government. As he gets wealthier and more flamboyant, Leroy makes many enemies and many mistakes and he ...

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Plot Keywords:

jenkins | evangelist | ministry | faith | mae west | 

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Taglines:

His hands healed. His heart questioned.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, language and violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Man of Faith

Filming Locations:

Columbus, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$966 (USA) (17 October 2003)

Gross:

$6,092 (USA) (17 October 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

7 Spirits Entertainment, Rico Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final feature film appearance of Jill St. John.

User Reviews

Very interesting, left with many questions

I couldn't wait to see this movie. I had seen some previews which stirred my curiosity. I hoped some questions would be answered, like when Jenkins says the Spirit loves us but he's as mean as fire--or something of that nature. I wanted to get the background on that comment, but the movie offered no further insight. All in all though I found the film captivating, despite my having very little use and patience for so many films made today. I was especially touched by the prison scenes and the revealing depictions of Jenkins with his family. . .just all of the human elements.

Like someone else said, I would like to have seen more even if it meant parts 2 and 3. There were just so many important aspects that shape the story; they were kind of crammed into the too small space of 2 hours (or whatever the length was.)Actually, probably, what I would have rather seen is more of a documentary. Now THAT would be my cup of tea.