Machine Gun Preacher

Like its main character, the true-life drama Machine Gun Preacher overflows with good intentions, even if the execution is frustrating and scatterbrained.

To dismiss the film as the latest cinematic tale of a white man trying to save impoverished black children in Africa is somewhat unfair, especially to the heroic efforts of the actual man whose tale of redemption inspired the film.

More justified is a criticism of the finished product as a heavy-handed mix of shootouts and sermonizing that isn’t as provocative or inspirational as it aims to be.

The film follows Sam Childers (Gerard Butler), a former biker-gang member who has a religious awakening after returning from prison. He begins to spend more quality time with his wife (Michelle Monaghan) and daughter (Madeline Carroll) and launches his own construction company.

After hearing a story from a church parishioner about orphaned children caught in the middle of a civil war in Sudan, many of which are recruited to become soldiers, Sam becomes a born-again Christian. He takes a missionary visit to Africa and sees an orphanage as a way to atone for his own criminal behavior earlier in life. But as he turns into a crusader for their freedom, Sam finds his own life endangered by the war just as his personal life at home starts to crumble.

Childers seems like a fascinating subject for a film, but the script by newcomer Jason Keller doesn’t probe deep enough. The concept is intriguing, but it feels as though the film doesn’t have the confidence in Childers’ story enough to avoid trumping up the drama with formulaic action sequences and character confrontations.

Acclaimed director Marc Forster (Finding Neverland) gives the film some stylish visuals but doesn’t transition well between Childers’ episodes of impassioned rage and his quieter moments with his family or the orphans.

Butler (who starred in 300) might not be convincing as a preacher in a church setting, but he admirably conveys Childers’ determination and eventual desperation. Monaghan is saddled with a thin character, and unfortunately, the children are all cute faces with no personalities.

Viewers might come away taking sides in the Sudanese Civil War and admiring Childers for his humanitarian efforts. However, they might also wish for a better big-screen interpretation of both.

Rated R, 123 minutes.