The Gospel is an updated retelling of the Prodigal Son set to a vibrant gospel soundtrack.

In this version, the prodigal son is David (Boris Kodjoe), the son of Pastor Taylor (Clifton Powell). Instead of having a brother, he has a best friend Frank (Idris Elba). Just as the two teenagers prepare to graduate from the youth ministry program, tragedy strikes when David's mother suddenly dies. In his anger David turns his back on God, his father and the church. Flash forward 15 years and although the two have gone down separate paths, both have been successful. David is a R&B artist with a hit single "Let Me Undress You." Frank is the assistant pastor at the church and married to David's cousin Charlene (Nona Gaye). When David's father gets sick, David reluctantly returns home. As his father's hand-picked successor, Frank has ambitious and grand visions for the church - but others, particularly Assistant Pastor Hunter (Donnie McClurkin) aren't as enthusiastic. Things seem to come to a head as David asserts himself into church business. 

What struck me about this movie is that although it is a church movie, its more about the business of church and the power struggle that ensures following Pastor Taylor's death than anything else. It's through that struggle that both Frank and David experience their own spiritual redemption. I also liked the fact that presented a church filled with real people not saints: a single mother, an egotistical bishop, a jealous assistant, a scheming preacher's wife. Yes, they all love the Lord but none of them are perfect.

I would have liked to see more of the essence of the rivalry between David and Frank. A key aspect of the Prodigal Son parable is the faithful son's resentment at the return of his wayward brother. In the film, there is some resentment and there is definitely a rivalry but it could have been developed more. Also, the power struggle within the church didn't come across as strongly as maybe it should have.

Of course, any review of The Gospel has to talk about the music. Director Rob Hardy (who directed the Trois series) knows the important of music in church services and to the church folk who will see this movie and he does not disappoint. Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Martha Munizzi and Tamyra Gray are all featured with original music provided by Kirk Franklin. The choir alone had people in my audience singing along. This soundtrack will do very well.

If The Gospel is successful (like Diary of a Black Woman was earlier this year) we could see trend towards more uplifting Christian films. Such a trend wouldn't be a bad thing. It sure beats the current trend towards hoods, hustlers and hos. The Gospel isn't a perfect film but if it's the kind of film you'd like to see more of, go out an support it (and that doesn't mean buying the five dollar bootleg!).