Mass Appeal

Somewhere between laughter and tears, he's found something in which to believe. Some priests have flocks, but Father Timothy Farley has fans. His 5.20 Mass is like the Johnny Carson show. For the price of your soul; you get ingratiating patter, dinner and a show. Off-pulpit, Father Farley is a bit of a wino, but still relentessly endearing; dodging attacks and responsibilities with an easy quip. Somewhere between the show-biz charm, though, compassion pulses. When an angry young seminarian antagonises the rector, Father Farley vows to detoxify the lad's ardour, teach him a few punch lines, and to figure out where God fit's in. Jack Lemmon gives an outstanding performance as Father Farley, as does Ivanek and Charles Durning as the inflexible monsignor in this humourous and compelling duel of conscience. © Operation Cork Productions/Universal City Studios Inc.