Leap Of Faith
Paramount Home Video
Cast: Steve Martin, Debra Winger, Liam Neeson, Lukas Haas, Meat Loaf
Extras:
Rating:
Steve Martin’s ’Leap Of Faith’ certainly doesn’t rank among his most hilarious films but by the same token, it is still a very entertaining movie hat is a bit more satirical than many of his other outings. Playing the fake Faith Healer Jonas Nightengale, Steve Martin not only mocks the charade put up in front of believing audiences, but also shows us how simple it is to create these supposed *miracles.’ Compared to the pathetic antics seen on those Christian TV channels Martin’s depiction is still pretty tame though as in today’s world the exploitation of audiences is even more blatant and boundless – but that’s another story entirely.
Stranded in a small town with his crew, Nightengale decides to go to work in the small community and draws large crowds to his tent where he performs miracle healings among other things. But something touches him about these people as well, and his mission suddenly becomes a real mission.
Paramount Home Entertainment has produced an impressive 1.85:1 widescreen transfer of this movie for this DVD. Enhanced for 16×9 TV sets, the presentation is free of any mars or speckles with rich colors that leap off the screen and a very high level of detail. Black levels are balanced, creating solid shadows that give the image visual depth. No edge-enhancement is evident and the compression is equally well done, leaving the detailed presentation free of compression artifacts.
The audio on the disc is presented as a 5.1 channel Dolby Digital track that is engaging and active. Especially the glorious music of the movie comes to life like never before and the overall ambiance of the track is rich and finely reproduced. A Dolby Surround track and a French Dolby Digital track are also supplied.
Sadly the DVD does not contain any extra whatsoever. Not even the movie’s trailer is included, which is truly disappointing given the DVD’s healthy $19.99 price tag.
Steve Martin’s performance and the music in the film make ’Leap Of Faith’ definitely worth seeing and this DVD brings us a splendid presentation of the film, so check it out on your next trip to the video store.
