Beyond the Farthest Star (2013)

★ 7.5 IMDb

Drama

A twist of fate brings the national spotlight to a forgotten Texas town and a once famous preacher has an opportunity to regain his former glory or seize one last chance to restore his fractured family. Narrated by his fifteen-year-old daughter, Beyond the Farthest Star tells the story of Pastor Adam Wells, a minister driven by the prospect of achieving greatness as the next nationally syndicated TV Evangelist who must decide whether to give up his opportunity at “celebrity” and, even his own life, in order to become something even greater… A loving husband and father to his wife and daughter.

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Cast

Renée O'Connor as Maureen Wells Age 55 · Katy, Texas, USA Renee O'Connor (born Evelyn Renee O'Connor on February 15, 1971, in Katy, Texas) is an American actress, producer, and director. She is best known for her role as Gabrielle in the television series "X...

Todd Terry as Adam Wells Age 59 · Dallas, Texas, USA

Cherami Leigh as Anne Wells Age 37 · Dallas, Texas, USA Cherami Leigh Kuehn is an American actress who has provided voices for a number of English-language versions of Japanese anime series and video games with Funimation, Studiopolis, and Bang Zoom! Enter...

Jordan Walker Ross as Clifford Age 36 · Arlington, Texas, USA Jordan Walker Ross is an actor, screenwriter and producer. Jordan began acting at the age of 6, playing Tiny Tim in a community theater production of 'A Christmas Carol'. After that, Jordan performed...

William McNamara as Calvin Clayman Age 61 · Dallas, Texas, USA William West McNamara (born March 31, 1965) is an American actor. Description above from the Wikipedia article William McNamara, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia..

Director Andrew Librizzi

Cast Renée O'Connor, Todd Terry, Cherami Leigh, Jordan Walker Ross, William McNamara, Andrew Prine, Barry Corbin

Wuchak 8/10 Oct 06, 2019

***Legalism threatens to destroy a family in a remote Texas town that is suddenly thrust into the national spotlight***

A preaching kid wonder doesn’t grow up to become the next Billy Graham as expected, but rather the joyless pastor (Todd Terry) of a small assembly in Nowheresville, Texas. His wife (Renée O'Connor) escapes into romance novels and other temptations while his sullen daughter (Cherami Leigh) plays in a “vampire rock” band. When a strategic crime draws national attention to the town it forces the family to confront their outward issues and core problem.

Written & directed by Andrew Librizzi, “Beyond the Farthest Star” (2013) dragged its feet getting officially released in 2015. It’s an intricate and morose Indie drama in the mold of the outstanding “Snow Angels” (2007), but with a faith-based angle. It basically mixes the style of David Gordon Green (“Snow Angels”) with that of Alex Kendrick (“War Room”). "Do You Believe?" (2015) and “Grand Canyon” (1991) are other reference points in tone & theme, not to mention depth, reverence and wonder. But “Beyond the Farthest Star” had WAY less funds to work with, costing only $500,000. Yet it doesn’t seem like it. Librizzi is an expert filmmaker who knows how to make the most of his limited resources.

The flick is very dense and has the confidence to take its time; it also respects the intelligence of the viewer to read between the lines and figure out details. Every issue presented is real and I’ve experienced them either firsthand or indirectly. Even minor scenes are superbly articulated and acted. You can tell Librizzi spent a lot of time on the script, working out kinks, etc. Speaking of the acting, I’m surprised at how excellent even the peripherals perform, which ain’t no small thing considering the challenge of pulling off the heavy material. Cherami Leigh is great for her role even though she seemed to struggle a bit at the end (I can’t say anything more without giving away spoilers).

Two snippets of songs from the “vampire rock” band are featured and they’re outstanding, the best musical pieces on the soundtrack; yeah, even the Crystal Lewis track “Beauty for Ashes.” Cherami Leigh sings on “Disappearing Act” and I’m assuming the other (even briefer) piece as well. Librizzi should’ve let these songs play out longer; or feature them on the end credits; or, at least, the bonus material.

The movie’s arguably too morose and lengthy for its own good, not to mention some elements are awkwardly implemented in the last act, like the Big Mart aspect. Yet, when you reflect on it, everything is there for a reason and makes an important point. I can relate to practically every point one way or another. Still, the conclusion needed more finesse. But, at the end of the day, “Beyond the Farthest Star” is an obscure weighty gem. It’s awe-inducing (and occasionally amusing in a low-key way, e.g. “think happy thoughts”). The fact that it only cost $500,000 is mind-blowing.

The film runs 1 hour, 59 minutes, and was shot in Leonard, Texas, which is located about 40-minutes (drive) northeast of Dallas.

GRADE: A-/B+