Every once in a while, Hollywood produces a relatively unknown true story so remarkable, almost unbelievable, you can’t help but be both inspired and baffled the film is anything but the height of fiction. This is the case with Machine Gun Preacher, a devastating and yet uplifting new film from Marc Forster (Quantom of Solace), with a magnificent performance from Gerard Butler that outshines the film as a whole.

Machine Gun Preacher chronicles the story of Sam Childers, as he leaves behind a life of drugs, violence and motorcycles to realize his calling as a savior for the children of Sudan, an all-but-forgotten war-torn country in Africa.

In order to keep you, the reader, as informed as possible, I have to issue a quick personal explanation. The horrific events that have unfolded throughout Sudan over the past several decades has been something that is particularly close to my heart, and a situation I have researched, written about, and generally understand very well. Because of this, it was impossible to go into this film completely unbiased.

The film opens with Childers getting released from prison, and from his first words we’re told to dislike him. It’s clear that prison has not worked on Childers, right away he’s back to his old ways, fighting with his wife, Lynn, played by Michelle Monaghan (Source Code), who’s recently found God, and drinking and doing drugs with his friend Donnie, who is played to perfection by Michael Shannon (Man of Steel).

When Donnie and Sam pick up a hitchhiker after having just taken some heroin, Sam’s life meets a crossroads. The hitchhiker pulls a knife on Donnie and Sam loses it, beating the man to near-death and leaving him on the freezing sidewalk to die. Thinking he’s killed the man, Sam is helpless, and takes the redemptive path of finding God and his path as a man of faith. When a missionary visits his local church, talking about the work the Church was doing in Northern Uganda, Sam jumps on the opportunity to continue his redemption. Leaving his wife and daughter behind, he heads to Uganda to offer up is service in providing shelter for the locals.

While in Uganda, Sam befriends a local rebel fighter who takes him into the refugee camps of Southern Sudan, where Sam witnesses the horrific situations occurring firsthand. Gerard Butler beautifully captures Childers’ transformation, and along with his supportive family, decides to accomplish two great tasks set before him: build and run an orphanage in Sudan, as well as build a church back home in Pennsylvania, where his fellow “sinners” would have a place to worship. It is here where the story gets a bit convoluted, almost as if the film has two stories to tell and can’t decide upon which to focus on. Where the story works is in Childers’ experience in Sudan, and with each journey back stateside, the film begins to become harder and harder to follow or care deeply about.

The redemptive quality of Sam’s story is the truly inspiring part, as he simply refuses to say “no” on his wish to provide for as many Sudanese children as possible. Protecting and fortifying his orphanage with his own small army of rebels, and with the support of the key Sudanese rebel leaders begins on the behalf of the innocent orphans. The film thrives as it chronicles the sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes uplifting story of one man’s determination for redemption. So much so that at times Childers risks losing control and becoming too prone towards fueling the violence in Sudan. When this risk is pondered upon the film truly shines, as it lets Gerard Butler truly shine.

Machine Gun Preacher suffers from over-indulging in the “action hero” concept of the story, and when coupled with a rather bland style of direction from Marc Forster, the film slips into mediocrity. Within all the brutality, indecision on the part of the director and script, and the lack of a proper “ending,” is a magnificent performance by Butler which carries the film. As for Sam Childers’ real life, we find out that one man can only take you so far, something that the film fails to recognize, as it fails to fully explore Childers psyche or the ramifications that face his character and the Sudanese people as a whole.

Note: I urge you to stay through the credits, as they are able to poise some important questions through them.

Grade: C+