Mass Appeal (1984)

At the heart of St. Francis Church stands Father Tim Farley, a man whose charisma and rapport with his congregation make him a favorite within the diocese, guided by the stern hand of Monsignor Thomas Burke. The Monsignor, who is often perceived as autocratic due to his rigid, traditional views of the church, is a regular companion of Father Farley, although the latter views their interaction as more of a professional necessity than personal enjoyment. To navigate his obligations, Father Farley has developed a knack for telling little white lies, a practice his faithful housekeeper Margaret staunchly refuses to indulge. Despite having little involvement with the seminary, Father Farley finds himself advocating for the ordination of seminarian Mark Dolson as a deacon. This decision comes with a condition: Mark must serve a one-month probation at St. Francis Church. The Monsignor's initial reluctance to ordain Mark stems from Mark's tendency to challenge the church elders, leading him to believe that Mark lacks the temperament to serve as a deacon, let alone a priest. Despite this, Father Farley steps in to defend Mark, disagreeing with the Monsignor's swift judgment, particularly when it's based solely on Mark's dissenting views. As Father Farley spends time with Mark, he discovers that the young seminarian lacks a filter, freely expressing his thoughts and feelings, much to the initial dismay of the congregation. However, a significant event jeopardizes Mark's position within the church, forcing Father Farley to contemplate how far he's willing to go to protect Mark, even if it means risking his own reputation and standing. This predicament also prompts Father Farley to reflect on his own flaws as a priest and a human being, bringing to light his own internal struggles and imperfections.

Mass Appeal is a comedy movie featuring Jack Lemmon and directed by Glenn Jordan.

It is possible to buy Mass Appeal on Vudu.