Somehow I missed seeing this movie for so many years. I read about it in film class but was never shown it; I knew it was a book by Sinclair Lewis but I never read it. I saw it last week and I'm so glad I did (free on Youtube, no less).
Elmer Gantry is a 1960 film starring Burt Lancaster, Shirley Jones, Jean Simmons, and George Kennedy. It's about drunk slick-tongued salesman/con artist who gets into the religious revival business. His shtick is to present himself as a saved/reformed salesman who preaches about "Christ in commerce." He teams up with an evangelist named Sister Falconer and the two use their fire and brimstone routine to make money off parishioners. Falconer is more committed to religion–Gantry is a hypocrite, although he starts to believe his own lines more as the film continues.
And that's what the film is chiefly about: hypocrisy. Specifically the hypocrisy that can arise in religious fundamentalism, and the problems with monetized religious ventures. Serving the weak and sick on the surface while sinning and taking donations. Gantry uses his skills as a salesman to exploit the beliefs of others and take advantage of them.
From what I understand, the novel goes more in-depth into the main character's life and is much less charitable in its depiction of Gantry–but I think the film still does a good job of exploring his character and his many flaws while still presenting his humanity. He actually starts to con himself, which I always find interesting to watch on screen.
The film is directed by Richard Brooks, who also made Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Blackboard Jungle, and In Cold Blood. The film is quite beautiful to look at and it moves at a good pace for a very long film (it's almost 2.5 hours). The adapted screenplay (also written by Brooks) is clever and well-written (winning the Academy Award that year). And of course you have Burt Lancaster who is just perfect–charming and handsome enough to be a believable snakeoil salesman, but big and tough enough to also be a little bit threatening. Jean Simmons is, pardon the pun, a revelation in her role. Overall, if you are interested in early 60s films, Burt Lancaster, or just films that explore the intersection of religion and confidence games, check it out. I would say it's comparable to A Face in the Crowd in terms of how it tackles public persona and the hypocrisy in those we worship (be they preachers or TV celebrities). A cautionary tale for all.
by TheLadyEve
3 Comments
Shame these older classics don’t get as much attention here. My fav Lancaster role. Great movie.
Better than the book, and Shirley Jones is FINE.
“Love is the morning and the evening star”