Review of Rich Mullins "Ragamuffin" film

I attended the Nashville screening of the new Rich Mullins "Ragamuffin" film last night before a full house at Collins Auditorium at David Lipscomb Univ. 

As a friend of Rich's from '84 to '97, I was hesitant about how I would react to a film about such a complex person who wrestled mightily with fanfare and acclaim. My fears were generally allayed, and for a small budget film by a first-time producer/director, it is pretty good. Most of this is due to the performance in the lead role by Michael Koch, who compellingly captures the creative side of Rich (he is an accomplished pianist/guitarist, and nails Rich's vocal delivery and onstage patter), as well as the brooding, intense side of Mullins' personality.

Some of the drawbacks include: editing weaknesses (it is unnecessarily long at 2 hours and 20 minutes, and somewhat repetitive in several themes); an overly simplistic (and oft brutal) critique of the music biz that deserves more nuance; primitive sets (the recording and radio studios are laughable), and some key characters in Rich's life that were completely ignored. It would've also been nice to see a bit more of Rich's unbridled kindness and silly/impish/downright hilarious sides. But these flaws are not so glaring that it renders the film unwatchable.

To the contrary, the essence of Rich's struggles with an unloving father, alcohol, disappointments in relationships, and loneliness drive the narrative and keep you wondering if/how he would ever find some degree of peace and acceptance. It doesn't give a lot of neat, tidy Christian platitudes or easy resolve. How could it if it were to be honest about the living paradox that was Rich Mullins? So, I give it an A- for effort, a C- for technique, and an overall grade of B- for residual impact it will leave with the viewer. For anyone who was a fan of Rich, or wishes to see faith being wrestled-out with earnest grit, then I recommend "Ragamuffin."

My longtime friend, Bernie Sheahan, wrote this review which gives some further coloring which I agree with...

"I saw "Ragamuffin" last week here in California and was pretty nervous about how I'd react. (Forgot my Kleenex, so I stole a whole roll of toilet paper from the church bathroom!) I knew Rich very well and for a long time. (I'm one of many, and aren't we lucky? Blessed.) He was one of six people at my 25th birthday dinner, in 1982. So when I saw the trailer online, I had a bit of a freak-out. Too weird. I knew David Mullins was part of this, but still...how could they capture him, and how dare they make a movie when he would have hated the thought of it?

"At the end of the film, they had a Q&A session with the director, David Leo Schultz. I hopped right up--"pick me, pick me!" No questions. Just this: "Thank you...Rich was a dear friend of mine...I was afraid I'd yell out or throw things at the screen, but you got him. Thank you for showing the shadows." I said a lot more (you know me; I'm Irish) but in talking to Schultz later on I realized that Rich would have loved him. You will, too.

"As Kathy Sprinkle told me, it's not a biopic. This isn't a chronological, get-everything, History Of Rich Mullins. Don't be upset about not seeing "Rich" in shoes or sweaters, as in his real life, in winter or on hot pavement. Movies are about images. The white t-shirt and bare feet are symbolic, really. I'm sorry if I just just pulled a 'Film as Lit' teacher thing on you.

"The images are lovely. David Schultz did a marvelous job with a tiny budget. He goes from Indiana to Cincinnati to Nashville to Wichita to "the res" along the open roads with color and light that match Rich's musical palette and poetic vision. You'll have to ask him if those are actual locations. I can vouch for a few of them as the real thing. There's one that's surely not, and it doesn't matter, because any countryside four-lane highway will do. That scene is handled with grace and mercy: it's brief, tells little, and moves quickly from dark mystery to sunny memory and life most real.

"You Nashville folk will laugh your head off in some places. There was only so much they could do with a small budget, I guess. No matter. See it with an open heart. Put aside your feelings about the music business, either way (this is, shall we say, less than sympathetic to the "industry" point of view).

"What it does is present the essence of Rich. How he was, as in the title of his brother's book, "an arrow pointing to heaven". Rich didn't want you to "get" him. He wanted you to get God--to be gotten by Him. The director found, in the four years working on the film, that Rich Mullins has some intensely loyal fans. Yup. Some who seemed to almost worship Rich more than God. Rich, shall we say, discouraged that. "Be God's" -- that's how he signed every autograph. Be God's. So it's not that important, really, what I think about how Rich was portrayed in any film. I am a loyal friend, yes. But he never said, "Be Rich's." Even so, I, and all of us who knew him, are a little protective of his essence. As dumb as that may sound.

"The fellow who plays Rich was not an actor but a musician, and he surprised me with his skill and passion. He sounds like him, enough for me to lose myself in the story for much of its length (it's long!) He does the shadows well. And this film doesn't shirk from the dark, thank goodness. He's exuberant, he spins, he gets angry. He's not funny and playful like Rich--it's not in his repertoire, not in his personality. That's OK. He pulls it off well enough that it made me miss Rich. A lot. That's something, considering it's an actor who's singing and playing, talking, saying things like "You like it? You really like it?"

"I like it. I really like it."        -Bernie Sheahan

Listing of all the showings and where to get tix here (once you get to the page, click on the "Events " tab):

http://www.itickets.com/artists/27150/Rich%20Mullins%20Film_concert

My wedding advice: Proverbs 31 and Solomon are dubious marital guides

Six years ago I was privileged to be the Best Man at the wedding of Curtis and Kristen in Chicago.  He was a former intern with my music management company, then a co-worker at a record label, and eventually a business partner on an internet merchandising site.  We had many a long talk over his gourmet popcorn blend and lengthy power walks on the outdoor track when we would workout at the Y.

For years he had been fixated on the idea of relocating to a major metro area like New York, Boston, or Chicago.  He had evolved into a talented computer and internet techie and felt he would have a better chance at long term work in an area like that.  Besides, he wanted to feel more of the cosmopolitan buzz of places like The Loop, Greenwich Village, or The Hub.  So he set off on visits to each of those places to soak in the ambience and explore the job market.

He eventually settled on the idea of Chicago, applied for work up there, and landed a great gig with a software consulting firm there.  We’ve continued to stay in touch, and always get together when either of us travels into our respective towns.

On one such visit over Thanksgiving about ten years ago, we had Thai food near the “L” (elevated railway) station where he lived in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of the north side.  He introduced me to his new friend, Kristin, who he’d met through the church where he was finding community. 

She and I hit it off immediately.  She was also a Wheaton College grad with a faith that had been thoroughly examined.  She was well read, and drawn to thoughtful film, probing music, and other creative art forms.  Kristin had spent much of her youth in Europe in her missionary family, and had a good grasp of international politics. Her sarcastic wit was a terrific bonus.  I could see that there was tremendous potential between the two of them.

As the next few years passed their friendship grew deeper.  It was obvious to all they were quite fond of each other, and when they finally announced their engagement, it made sense on every level.

The wedding was a fun gathering of family that rendezvoused from all corners of the country, and there was a huge contingent of friends from Wheaton and Belmont Colleges and First Evangelical Free Church of Chicago.

As we were finishing up the scrumptious reception dinner that featured ribs (I told you they were a unique couple), I got up to offer a toast.

“Curtis and Kristin, it’s been a blast growing in friendship with you over the years, and I’m honored that you asked me to be with you here today.

“I’d like to address Kristin first:  I know that as a God-fearing young Christian woman you would very much like to impress your hubby by being a stalwart, modern example of a Proverbs 31 woman.  However, as most of the females here can attest, a lady like that has most likely never existed. 

“And to Curtis: I bet you would like to mold your romancing skills around all the vivid concepts outlined in The Song of Solomon.  However, since the author of that tome happened to have five hundred freakin’ wives and countless more concubines, I’m not so sure that is the most trustworthy source when you are focusing on a monogamous relationship with your lovely bride.

“As you define your union from here on out, you will most certainly find times when the differences between genders will become pronounced.  But don’t fall for all the psycho babble that’s so prevalent today.  I saw a bumper sticker not long ago that perhaps should be our credo: Men are from Earth.  Women are from Earth.  Deal with it!

“But enough comedy jokes!  Seriously, one of the cornerstones of your lives individually and corporately is your honesty.  Please don’t ever lose that with each other. You two both have loving families represented here, many straight-shooting friends, and a fantastic church community.  Please, please, please be honest with us and rely on us when times get tough…as they most certainly will in changing seasons.   Allow us to listen to you, to cry with you, and to stand with you during the trials that marriage will bring.  And we will certainly celebrate with you in all the good times as well. We want to be there for you…no matter what…and we commit to that firmly on this day.

“A songwriter friend of mine was struggling to come up with a better way of saying ‘I am so in love with you.’  We all know that phrase has pretty much lost all meaning in a society fixated on self-centered romance.  I think he came up with a phrase that defines what I’ve seen growing between you both in the last several years…and my sincere prayer is that it will be your mantra as you forge something meaningful together from  here on out. 

“When he wrote of his beloved he said: I am wild with care for you.” 

Then I raised my glass and everyone else in the room extended their flasks in their direction.  “So, to Curtis and Kristin: may you two be consumed with the idea of deep, ongoing passion for each other and for that incredible bond that this day has launched…through thick and thin…may you always be wild with care for each other!  Salud!”

Postscript: Curtis and Kristin have since relocated to Vermont, where they have started a small farm, emphasizing organic vegetables.  He still does web consulting, and she is an amazing mom to their precocious toddler son, Ezra.  

We often never see the Strong Hand of Love hidden in the shadows

Another honest insight from one of the best songwriters of our time, Mark Heard:  

Down peppers the rain from a clear blue sky

Down trickles a tear on a youthful face

Feeling in haste and wondering why

Up struggles the sun from a wounded night

Out venture our hearts from their silent shrouds

Trying to ignite but wondering how

We can laugh and we can cry

And never see the strong hand of love hidden in the shadows

We can dance and we can sigh

And never see the strong hand of love hidden in the shadows

Young dreamers explode like popped balloons

Some kind of emotional rodeo

Learning too slow and acting too soon

Time marches away like a lost platoon

We gracefully age as we feel the weight

Of loving too late and leaving too soon

We can laugh and we can cry

And never see the strong hand of love hidden in the shadows

We can dance and we can sigh

And never see the strong hand of love hidden in the shadows

Written by Mark Heard © 1990 Ideola Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGZN7vJ2fOM&feature=related