Dutcher sinking lower

[a-train]

Fully turned to the Dark Side Richard Dutcher now is.

The sad story:

Richard Dutcher leaves the Mormon church and a genre - Los Angeles Times

-a-train

[Jenamarie]

Well that article was a whole lotta nothin'. How many times did they had to repeat it was a "spiritual crisis" that lead him out of Mormonism? At least he still seems respectful of the church, even if he's left it. No cries of "deception!" or anything.

[Flyonthewall]

This could be a matter of active faith getting in the way of a career. He may see the church and LDS cinema as being a hinderance to what he wants to do, so he is setting it aside for now. Just guessing but that is how it struck me first.

[Truegrits]

I thought the same as Flyonthewall...I think he wanted a bigger career than producing Mormon films would give him.

[WANDERER]

Fair enough. So he's got some stuff to deal with. Just sounds like he's plain tired and probably needs to balance out his life a bit. Reminds me of jettisoning cargo to lighten a ship...not the best point at which to do your thinking...but sounds like he's in the process of working himself out..wherever that will take him.

[MorningStar]

Yeah, sounds like he used the church to get ahead in his career. Makes me happy I didn't like any of his movies that I saw.

[prisonchaplain]

Well...here's some irony for you. I really enjoyed God's Army I, and found that it offered a compelling vision of your church. Yes, there was the one missionary who, struggling with his own doubts and consuming anti-LDS materials, leaves the mission field and presumably resigns from the church. Yet, even this inclusion served as authentication, rather than "planting seeds of doubt."

God's Army II - States of Grace was more controversial, and better, again, imho. Yes, a missionary gave into temptation, and yes, the sometimes hardshell attitudes (I'd rather have you come home in a casket than disgraced) gets uncomfortable. And yet, the mission president offers such compassion, and then there is the interfaith aspect, where a Pentecostal and a Baptist pray for the LDS missionary. Again, the film appeared authentic and mature, not "anti" or intentionally racy.

Ultimately, Dutcher's work gave me a greater respect for your church and the people of it. I found no fodder against your specific faith in those films. The difficult social/cultural issues he grappled with are common to most rigorious religious traditions.

You may mourn his religious choices, but those do not discount the value of the films he created.

[HiJolly]

Yeah, sounds like he used the church to get ahead in his career. Makes me happy I didn't like any of his movies that I saw.

I liked God's Army ok, it actually was quite a lot like my mission (major US city).

I loved Brigham City (all about the sacrament) and States of Grace (about the atonement). Two fantastic films.

HiJolly

[a-train]

Now, no one wants to call themselves a Mormon filmmaker because you're associating yourself with a genre that's fallen into disrepute. It's like having porn on your résumé.'

This is the poignant part as far as I can tell.

-a-train

[prisonchaplain]

This is the poignant part as far as I can tell.

-a-train

It's a juicy phrase "Mormon filmaker akin to porn filmaker"...but we know that what he meant was that both care little about true art or production values, and have relied instead on inexpensively making stories that will please their target audiences.

It still was not nice, but again, Dutcher takes his craft seriously, and he has intentionally not said anything negative about the Church or its teachings.

[Moksha]

I liked God's Army ok, it actually was quite a lot like my mission (major US city).

I loved Brigham City (all about the sacrament) and States of Grace (about the atonement). Two fantastic films.

HiJolly

I'll second that. Those three were all worth watching. God's Army and States of Grace were both spiritually uplifting.

I hope these two new films can be shown in Utah. Did Falling play at the Sundance Film festival?

[beckysoup61]

I saw Brigham City... good movie. I haven't seen any of the others, but might look them up.

Brigham City is actually one of my favourite "scary" movies.

It's so creepy, yet so tender at the end.

[miztrniceguy]

there is more on this here

Edited August 22, 2008 by Gwen
link removed

[miztrniceguy]

ooopppsss....sorry...didn't realize the language on that site was an issue. i actually didn't see any foul language in the post about dutcher that i linked to, nor in the other blog posts. hmmm

Edited August 23, 2008 by miztrniceguy

[extra_mile]

Has anyone watched "Falling" Does this move tell why he fell?

[extra_mile]

Has anyone watched "Falling" Does this move tell why he fell?

I'm talking about Falling by Dutcher.

Also do you know if it's Christian at all? I have been told by someone that it's the last Christian film he made???

I would not think it would be with foul language? would clear play take out the foul language if it has some?

I just can't see how he could loose his faith after making such great films? States of Grace was so Powerful!

Edited September 12, 2008 by extra_mile

[prisonchaplain]

The impression I received from the stories I read on this is that he is not claiming any religious label at this time. Falling has religious themes, but it is R-rated, and I've heard it contains rough language. Haven't seen it though.

[extra_mile]

The impression I received from the stories I read on this is that he is not claiming any religious label at this time. Falling has religious themes, but it is R-rated, and I've heard it contains rough language. Haven't seen it though.

Thanks, I thought I might watch it, if I can rent it somewhere and have clearplay take out any bad language, but clearplay does not list it as a filter they have. Guess I will wait and see?

[dazed-and-confused]

ok.....so i've been inactive for some time and just recently returned.......where can i get dvd's ......if there are any......of this guys movies........read some good reviews here

[extra_mile]

ok.....so i've been inactive for some time and just recently returned.......where can i get dvd's ......if there are any......of this guys movies........read some good reviews here

Hi, If you look on here LDS - Mormon Movies/Films

there is a link to all 3 of his movies, just a little down the page, I liked all 3! :) I thought they were very well done and have watched them more than once.

God's Army

States of Grace

Brigham City

You can also rent them from Netflix

[Wingnut]

I just can't see how he could loose his faith after making such great films? States of Grace was so Powerful!

Making "such great films" is completely irrelevant to his faith. They could just as easily have been made by a non-member who did a lot of research and had members consulting for him.

This may have been LDS urban legend, but shortly after God's Army came out, I remember hearing Dutcher quoted as saying that he hoped to someday make an R-rated movie that Mormons would go see. I've never had a high opinion of him since then. That and the fact that he not only directed his films, but also had a starring role in them. Because being the director isn't enough?

[extra_mile]

Making "such great films" is completely irrelevant to his faith. They could just as easily have been made by a non-member who did a lot of research and had members consulting for him.

This may have been LDS urban legend, but shortly after God's Army came out, I remember hearing Dutcher quoted as saying that he hoped to someday make an R-rated movie that Mormons would go see. I've never had a high opinion of him since then. That and the fact that he not only directed his films, but also had a starring role in them. Because being the director isn't enough?

Very true, You don't have to be a Christian to make a Christian film, what I'm saying is it's hard to understand someone not staying with God after making such films, I feel the same way when I see a non-Christian staring in a good Christian film. I think it should make a powerful impression on them, but then I see them in a R rated movie or something and I see it meant nothing to them, just another role.

[Moksha]

I really liked this review of States of Grace from a reviewer at Amazon:

I am not Mormon, but I would have to say I have never felt closer to Mormonism, and Christ's message of love, redemption, and hope, than after viewing States of Grace. I feel it is one of the finest films of any type I have ever seen.

States of Grace movingly depicts the power of God's healing love, mercy, and redemptive grace that comes after a fall and repentance. I think that Richard Dutcher's portrayal of 'real', imperfect Mormon missionaries in both States of Grace and God's Army makes it easier for outsiders such as myself to open their hearts and minds to them.

To me, States of Grace shows the heart of Mormonism and the heart of Christianity. Actually, it offers a look inside the heart of any sincere spiritual seeker struggling towards greater goodness.

[prisonchaplain]

Making "such great films" is completely irrelevant to his faith. They could just as easily have been made by a non-member who did a lot of research and had members consulting for him.

This may have been LDS urban legend, but shortly after God's Army came out, I remember hearing Dutcher quoted as saying that he hoped to someday make an R-rated movie that Mormons would go see. I've never had a high opinion of him since then. That and the fact that he not only directed his films, but also had a starring role in them. Because being the director isn't enough?

Mel Gibson is hardly a poster child for evangelical Christianity, and yet we rejoice that his film led many to conversion and faith in Jesus. And yes, this Catholic and controversial filmaker added members to our congregations.

Of course it's difficult to see a member renounce his faith. Yet, Dutcher did so in a relatively quiet, and definitely non-confrontational manner. God can use broken, even apostate vessels, to communicate his message. IMHO, the Bible is full of such (David and Jonah come to mind).

[Over43]

I know a "local" who played a small role in an "LDS" movie a couple of years back that starred the "usual suspects" doing th LDS genre lately. He told his mother, for the most part, they were a pretty foul mouthed, rude goup of people who like to make money off of "us", but for the most part could care less about following church guidlines.

I don't know how accurate his description is, but if it is remotely true, then that is too bad.

Jon