Aimee Semple McPherson

Is there enough budget to release a DVD???? I'm sure many out here want to have a copy. I'm writing this comment because I've been looking on the internet for over a year to find if there has been a home video release. Just think how many people want to see this film and there evidently has been no progress that I have seen to indicate that there is any production in the works to release a home video. This is about all I can say on the subject. I have long admired Ms McPherson as a spiritual leader and dynamic personality. I've heard recorded sermons and viewed most all other video material that relates to her story. Maybe a grant from SAG should be considered to have this important film available to the general public.

One thing I notice, that has not been mentioned in other reviews, is that the film shows how we all have human and sexual needs, no matter how spiritual or holy we may be. Aimee leaves her husband to follow God's will, but later discovers "God is there spiritually, but He is not there physically." Richard Rossi's character provides the "smell of a real man," and she needs filled up by the fun and frolic he provides.

Overall, the story kept my interest the whole time. There were some reminders the film was done on a small budget, such as the lack of big crowd scenes or extras, and scenes that stay in a two-shot off one camera, rather than cutting to other takes or angles. But Rossi did walk away from a lot of money that would have compromised his vision as a writer, so there is an artistic purity here of an auteur. All the husbands were great. Chad Nadolski, Charles Hoyes, and Richard Rossi. I read an interview in Filmworks magazine where Rossi said the three husbands are the three sides of our nature: spirit or superego (Chad Nadolski as Robert Semple), the mind or ego (Charles Hoyes as Harold McPherson), and the id or impulsive sensual desires (Richard Rossi as David Hutton.)

Bravo to Richard Rossi, producer, director, and writer of 'Aimee Semple McPherson' who also plays a leading role in his film. This remarkable drama based on the real life of the 1920's Pentecostal Evangelist, is a 190 degree turn away from today's glossy commercial film making status-quo. Aimee's life from teens to 40's is compellingly delivered by 21 year old, MIMI MICHAELS, Rossi's casting coup. The young intriguing actor is a rare if not all but extinct breed among her contemporaries. Her performance ascribes to no trappings of the twenty-something blonde pop-culture actors flooding the film market these days. Entirely unselfconscious, she is a unique blend of intelligence, sensitivity, and emotional dexterity. The real-deal classical actor gives us an unaffected 24carat 'Aimee,' exposing the complexities of her psyche, longings, frustrations and doomed attempt for personal happiness, with deft subtlety. Michaels keeps her work fresh and inspired with artfully delicate gestures baring Aimee's instability. It doesn't take us long to fall in love with the mixed-up, naughty, but well intended Aimee. James Kennedy, Aimee's mild mannered father, oft emasculated by his wife, is played by veteran, RANCE HOWARD with wisdom, warmth and tenderness. The chemistry between this father and daughter will be recognized by loving girls and daddies alike. The honesty and comfort Howard and Michaels shared together discloses a relationship that could only be divined as altruistically between Aimee and her Heavenly Father. When Aimee and her controlling mother Minnie, played discerningly by TERES BYRNE

take the screen, again familial chemistry was strong and volatile as well.

When the aggressive mother and Aimee lock horns we all sit a little more rigidly. CHARLES HOYES as Harold McPherson shows his metal as Aimee's woebegone husband in his futile competition with Jesus; or Aimee's calling to do His work. Other notable performances were given by Aimee's closest disciples, Emma and Reba played by ETIENNE ECKERT and LAURIE SHAW.

Although sustained by Mimi Michaels Magnetism, the current 2 hour plus version requires a good half hour chop if it is to see the light of day at the independent film festivals. The story line strays a bit afield in the last half hour but generously returns us to a three tissue ending. In this unpretentious film, purest Richard Rossi has, it seems, almost innocently produced a genre to be followed; making his 'A.S.M.' a reminder that the independent cinema is a great escape from the glossy mega-million dollar manipulative Hollywood flicks. R. Hughes Los Angelos

I just saw at industry screening in Hollywood, and Rossi's question and answer time was as interesting and compelling as this powerful film. This film about faith was made on faith, often Rossi showed up on set trusting someone would show up with film, food or whatever he needed. In each case, people would arrive saying, "God told me to bring you food, props, film, cameras." It is the most astonishing tale of a low budget project miraculously coming together since "El Mariachi."

There's more info on this at the film's official website, www.aimeesemplemcphersonmovie.com

Rossi's honesty about his life and personal struggles was equally moving. He made this movie because he had to, and that kind of love and vulnerability is why this film is so deeply effective in creating sympathy for the lead character.

I saw this movie, with a friend and a film writer. The content was misleading at best. The film quality and directing was amateurish. His camera actually moved from person to person, without cuts. I got dizzy just watching. I, with no film experience, know better than that.

My film writer friend thought his work was so amateurish that she was embarrassed for Rossi. My other friend who has written and done stage work herself, was literally sickened by his misportrayal of Aimee Semple McPherson's life.

His intended premise is misguided and never proved. The movie never gave "insight" to anything but gross exaggeration and erroneous information. There is nothing to indicate why she was such a phenomenon. There is never a crowd -- no attempt to give any kind of context to her world-wide appeal or her national "celebrity" status.

Seeing this movie you would think all she did in life was marry three times, in a very short span of time, and fought with her mother. And that really is the just of the movie in a nutshell. And very poorly done at that. Now I've just saved you 2 1/2 hours of watching a boring movie.