Main cast: Alexandra Paul (Emily Wendell), JC MacKenzie (Reverend Ted Wendell), and Corey Sevier (Luke McElroy)
Director: Timothy Bond
Gospel of Deceit is one of those movies that I just chanced upon while cable-surfing when I was recuperating in the hospital ward. As far as Lifetime-ish woman-in-danger ooh-dark-and-crazy guy movies go, this one doesn’t stand out in any way except for one thing: Corey Sevier has worked very hard on his body to prepare for his role, and the audience is going to be subjected to ample amount of skin from him to drive home that point.
Indeed, as far as dangerous hot guys go in this kind of movies, Mr Sevier is of a higher grade of beef, as he captures the whole brooding bad boy with hot, hot body aesthetic perfectly. Sure, his acting ability may not be the best, but that’s why he’s slumming in this kind of film. Not that I am complaining, as my day feels so much better after having watched this movie for the bod, I mean, plot.
Oh yes, the plot. Reverend Ted Wendell is a smalltown preacher that is fast becoming a radio personality whose fame is going beyond Heward, Pennsylvania. As he is courted by bigger TV stations hoping to cash in on his popularity, his wife of 20 years, Emily, is always supportive and devoted.
Naturally, this marriage is too perfect. In comes Luke McElroy, a hot ex-con that just oh-so-conveniently happens to be around to be hired by Ted to help fix up the church. Luke also stays in the guest room for the time being, and he must be the first hot guy to come within Emily’s vicinity, as she’s soon responding to his ardent caresses.
Not that I’m judging, of course. That guy has no problems walking around in a state of shirtless glory, and I’m sure Jesus will forgive her for wanting to cop a feel or twenty.
Oh yes, the plot. It’s a pretty standard one. Luke has secrets, really dark ones, ooh, but at the same time, it’s also very evident that Ted is being shady. One doesn’t have to look at the poster to know that Ted will indeed be the big bad in this movie, as there’s no way a movie of this kind will let the religious fellow be the good guy.
In other words, this is a love story at heart, with Emily’s husband being the bad guy so that she can have the cake and eat it too. Again, it’s a pretty nice cake, so I’m not judging, oh no.
As for the rest of the movie unrelated to a shirtless Mr Sevier, the acting is above average for the most part. This helps to make the hokey dialogues the poor cast members have to utter somewhat more palatable. Still, this movie doesn’t deviate much from the standard formulaic thriller of the week aimed at a female audience, so if one has seen enough of such movies, nothing here will feel new or memorable.
Well, except for the bad boy. That slice of prime beef goes a long way to elevate this one above the rest of the slop it belongs to!
