Mark Wahlberg delivers an adequate performance as the boxer Stu, who becomes interested in a young woman named Carmen (Teresa Ruiz). Unable to win her over, he joins her church hoping it might help. However, he soon finds himself believing in "God" and attempts to become a priest, completely forgetting about the girl. At the same time, he learns that he has a progressive illness which will affect him as he gets older…

I can see why so many people dislike this film, because honestly, I disliked it too, at least through the first half. A significant portion of the movie features characters who are simply unpleasant—particularly Mel Gibson’s portrayal of Bill Long. The story itself unfolds poorly during that initial stretch. It wasn't until Stuart Long began his journey toward becoming a preacher that I started to become engaged; and…