Author(s): Ben Miller
Location: Canyon, Texas
“God Hates What?"
Written and directed by Jonathan Glazer
Produced by Jeremy Thomas
Principal Cast:
Pruitt Taylor Vince as Donnie Davies
Mary McCormack Rachel Haskins
John C. Reilly as Greg Omani
Phillip Baker Hall as Richard Gilbreath
Tagline: "Even the truth can be ridiculous”
Synopsis: Rachel Haskins is a successful film director of religious documentaries. Her films have run the gamut from Mormons living in Africa to Sun-Worshiping Alaskans. With her trusty cameraman, Greg Omani, their new venture is to the world of Love, God’s Way Ministries and their leader, Donnie Davies. Davies and the ministries have been well known for their “God Hates Fags” mission statement and their protesting at funerals. Haskins has been interested in doing a documentary on Davies since he first came into prominence.
Upon beginning production, Davies seems very interested in the amount of press he will be getting for the film. Rachel sees Davies as overly happy, almost gay-like and seemingly insane. He is overweight with a pencil-thin mustache; not the usual for the leader of a religion. Rachel and Greg begin to film all the ministry’s exploits of their “God Hates Fags” message and can barely take it seriously. Their motives and messages are so ridiculous; they think that this must be some sort of elaborate joke. Donnie even records a message to his believers encouraging them to hate homosexuals but embrace his weight issue.
Rachel is having trouble staying on the fence as far as the film is concerned. In her hotel room, she calls her producer, Richard, and lets him in on some of her issues. As Richard pleas with her for objectivity, she hangs up the phone and begins to sob. She is torn between presenting this “monster” in a positive light or throwing objectivity out the window. Greg finds her sobbing and comforts her. Greg suggests they leave, but Rachel refuses. Instead, she decides to show Donnie just how he is.
One morning, Rachel gets a call from Donnie asking them to meet for a special event. When the two arrive, they can barely comprehend the filming and recording of a “God Hates Fags” music video. Sensing the restlessness, Donnie confronts Rachel, believing that the wrong people will be seeing this documentary as farce or they won’t take it seriously. Donnie’s confrontation scares Rachel, and Greg won’t stand by as Donnie intimidates Rachel. Greg leaves to find Donnie.
When Greg confronts Donnie, he begins to sense that he is coming on to him. The more angry and forceful Greg gets, Donnie becomes more playful and flirtatious. Donnie attempts to kiss Greg but fails as the cameraman hurries from the room. Little more is said to Donnie as filming concludes. On their final night, Donnie calls the two up to the stage during a service to congratulate them in front of the congregation. They both feel deep shame and leave soon after. Having finished their necessary filming, they head back to California for editing and post-production.
When they arrive, their producer announces that the film may not be released due protests outside the studio. Rachel has a heart-to-heart with Richard, explaining that this film is not promoting Davies, but showing what kind of person he really is. After some deliberation, Richard agrees and the film receives the biggest premiere of any documentary in history. Included on the guest list are Donnie and his followers.
As the film begins, it becomes apparent to Donnie, and everyone else in the theater, that this film was designed to show the world, not only what Donnie was about, but the amount of insanity he has brought. Donnie remains confident and proud in his actions until the end of the film. The camera shows Greg’s confrontation with Greg and the attempted kiss. Donnie walks out, while Rachel and Greg nervously wait for the end result. When the final credits roll, there are a few minutes of silence, then a single applause, then the roar of a standing ovation.
In the next few weeks, the film would become the highest grossing documentary in history, Rachel and Greg would win an Oscar for their work, and Donnie’s followers departed, causing the ministries to shut down.
What the press would say:
Donnie Davies is the man who introduced the world to the whole “God Hates Fags” movement. Well, let director Jonathan Glazer introduce you to Donnie Davies. The “Sexy Beast” director gives an unflinching look at the insanity and absolute belief of Davies’ ministries. The film puts a documentary director (Mary McCormack) and her cameraman (John C. Reilly) in the midst of Davies and his madness. The man himself is played by character actor Pruitt-Taylor Vince to horrifying perfection. Davies is portrayed as almost child-like in his ways but does not waver on his beliefs. One of the most disturbing scenes is a plea from Davies to his followers to hate and berate homosexuals, but be kind to the overweight (which he is). The amount of innocence in Davies when he gives this plea is almost perverse. McCormack, also more well-known as a character actress, delivers her best work. As the film director, she tries her best to stay neutral to everything that is happening, but the chaos and absurdity is overwhelming and eventually breaks her down. As McCormack’s cameraman, Reilly delivers a strong performance. As a man behind the scenes, he is supposed to stay silent, but when things get out of hand, he must have his voice heard. The most impressive aspect of the film is the steering away from controversy, even with the film’s uber-controversial subject. This could be the best film of the year, and quite possibly the most important. A must see.
For Your Consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director, Jonathan Glazer
Best Actor, Pruitt Taylor Vince
Best Actress, Mary McCormack
Best Supporting Actor, John C. Reilly
Best Screenplay, Jonathan Glazer
Location: Canyon, Texas
“God Hates What?"
Written and directed by Jonathan Glazer
Produced by Jeremy Thomas
Principal Cast:
Pruitt Taylor Vince as Donnie Davies
Mary McCormack Rachel Haskins
John C. Reilly as Greg Omani
Phillip Baker Hall as Richard Gilbreath
Tagline: "Even the truth can be ridiculous”
Synopsis: Rachel Haskins is a successful film director of religious documentaries. Her films have run the gamut from Mormons living in Africa to Sun-Worshiping Alaskans. With her trusty cameraman, Greg Omani, their new venture is to the world of Love, God’s Way Ministries and their leader, Donnie Davies. Davies and the ministries have been well known for their “God Hates Fags” mission statement and their protesting at funerals. Haskins has been interested in doing a documentary on Davies since he first came into prominence.
Upon beginning production, Davies seems very interested in the amount of press he will be getting for the film. Rachel sees Davies as overly happy, almost gay-like and seemingly insane. He is overweight with a pencil-thin mustache; not the usual for the leader of a religion. Rachel and Greg begin to film all the ministry’s exploits of their “God Hates Fags” message and can barely take it seriously. Their motives and messages are so ridiculous; they think that this must be some sort of elaborate joke. Donnie even records a message to his believers encouraging them to hate homosexuals but embrace his weight issue.
Rachel is having trouble staying on the fence as far as the film is concerned. In her hotel room, she calls her producer, Richard, and lets him in on some of her issues. As Richard pleas with her for objectivity, she hangs up the phone and begins to sob. She is torn between presenting this “monster” in a positive light or throwing objectivity out the window. Greg finds her sobbing and comforts her. Greg suggests they leave, but Rachel refuses. Instead, she decides to show Donnie just how he is.
One morning, Rachel gets a call from Donnie asking them to meet for a special event. When the two arrive, they can barely comprehend the filming and recording of a “God Hates Fags” music video. Sensing the restlessness, Donnie confronts Rachel, believing that the wrong people will be seeing this documentary as farce or they won’t take it seriously. Donnie’s confrontation scares Rachel, and Greg won’t stand by as Donnie intimidates Rachel. Greg leaves to find Donnie.
When Greg confronts Donnie, he begins to sense that he is coming on to him. The more angry and forceful Greg gets, Donnie becomes more playful and flirtatious. Donnie attempts to kiss Greg but fails as the cameraman hurries from the room. Little more is said to Donnie as filming concludes. On their final night, Donnie calls the two up to the stage during a service to congratulate them in front of the congregation. They both feel deep shame and leave soon after. Having finished their necessary filming, they head back to California for editing and post-production.
When they arrive, their producer announces that the film may not be released due protests outside the studio. Rachel has a heart-to-heart with Richard, explaining that this film is not promoting Davies, but showing what kind of person he really is. After some deliberation, Richard agrees and the film receives the biggest premiere of any documentary in history. Included on the guest list are Donnie and his followers.
As the film begins, it becomes apparent to Donnie, and everyone else in the theater, that this film was designed to show the world, not only what Donnie was about, but the amount of insanity he has brought. Donnie remains confident and proud in his actions until the end of the film. The camera shows Greg’s confrontation with Greg and the attempted kiss. Donnie walks out, while Rachel and Greg nervously wait for the end result. When the final credits roll, there are a few minutes of silence, then a single applause, then the roar of a standing ovation.
In the next few weeks, the film would become the highest grossing documentary in history, Rachel and Greg would win an Oscar for their work, and Donnie’s followers departed, causing the ministries to shut down.
What the press would say:
Donnie Davies is the man who introduced the world to the whole “God Hates Fags” movement. Well, let director Jonathan Glazer introduce you to Donnie Davies. The “Sexy Beast” director gives an unflinching look at the insanity and absolute belief of Davies’ ministries. The film puts a documentary director (Mary McCormack) and her cameraman (John C. Reilly) in the midst of Davies and his madness. The man himself is played by character actor Pruitt-Taylor Vince to horrifying perfection. Davies is portrayed as almost child-like in his ways but does not waver on his beliefs. One of the most disturbing scenes is a plea from Davies to his followers to hate and berate homosexuals, but be kind to the overweight (which he is). The amount of innocence in Davies when he gives this plea is almost perverse. McCormack, also more well-known as a character actress, delivers her best work. As the film director, she tries her best to stay neutral to everything that is happening, but the chaos and absurdity is overwhelming and eventually breaks her down. As McCormack’s cameraman, Reilly delivers a strong performance. As a man behind the scenes, he is supposed to stay silent, but when things get out of hand, he must have his voice heard. The most impressive aspect of the film is the steering away from controversy, even with the film’s uber-controversial subject. This could be the best film of the year, and quite possibly the most important. A must see.
For Your Consideration:
Best Picture
Best Director, Jonathan Glazer
Best Actor, Pruitt Taylor Vince
Best Actress, Mary McCormack
Best Supporting Actor, John C. Reilly
Best Screenplay, Jonathan Glazer
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