HOLLYWOOD—The constantly popular actor Gerard Butler is world famous. He’s often talked about in the tabloids, even though he’s rarely guilty of anything other than standing beside a leading lady or any other actress on a red carpet in Hollywood, New York City or London, when a snap of a cameraman’s shutter, it immediately is reported falsely that a man who should be known for his amazing work on the big screen is talked about for dating a starlet or supermodel. Falsely I say, because it’s normally not true, and Butler takes all the lies and rumors on the chin, however after critics and fans see his mesmerizing performance in “Machine Gun Preacher,” they are going to take a second look at a man, who I believe should be nominated for an Academy Award in this true life story, in which Butler transforms himself from handsome leading man, to a man of God, that sees hope where many see hopelessness.

Gerard Butler, A Favorite Hollywood Leading Man

Almost every actor hopes for that one pivotal role that changes their status in Tinseltown from hunk and handsome leading man to actor. This film does just that for Butler, and his powerful performance left me in tears. The Scottish actor, who grew up in Ireland is perhaps one of the most underrated actors in the industry. It’s not his fault. He has given some of the best performances of any actor of his era, however, between tabloids only talking about his alleged hookups with every single leading lady in town, which he flatly denies, and the fact that he’s so good in romantic comedies, many never saw this incredible acting job coming. I always believed that he was not appreciated far enough for his brilliant performances in the past. Though after anyone sees him as a preacher, who is willing to walk through hell to make a difference in the lives of others, he may just turn me religious again, as he turned me into one of his biggest fans overnight!

The former drug dealer Sam Childers has a religious awakening of sorts, and it leads him to find something in life bigger than his own ego. Since the late 1990s, Childers has devoted himself to helping the war-torn region of East Africa and its orphans. His very unorthodox way of dealing with things made him such an icon within the African community and around the world. Even seasoned United Nations workers noted his determination and very odd approach to humanitarianism.

Butler battles against the evils in East Africa, that want to destroy its people. Butler as Childers goes up against the Lord’s Resistance Army, which is nothing but a terrorist group that has ravaged the women, kidnapped the children and murdered the men in parts of northern Uganda and southern Sudan.

Hollywood insiders will see where I’m going with this. However, just to make sure you are on the same path that I am on. Butler does much more than just an excellent job in the role of a lifetime. What he does, is place himself permanently on the list of the finest actors of the mid 20^th Century, such as Henry Fonda, Clark Gable, Gregory Peck and Sir Laurence Olivier. He even eclipses the well-known talent of Academy winner Sir Anthony Hopkins. He goes further emotionally than actor James Franco did in “127 Hours,” and even surpasses the work of Russell Crowe in “A Beautiful Mind.” Yes, Gerard Butler is that good.

Machine Gun Preacher

Gerard is astounding in “Machine Gun Preacher.” He makes you believe a story, that is not only true, but would not be convincing with any other actor but Butler in the role.

The first half of the film is all about transformation. From druggie to soulful minister, the incredible performance given just leaves nothing to the imagination. That is saying a lot. Who knew Gerard Butler had such a rich and diverse resevior of emotions that he could pull from when it came to a role that would need any actor to stretch their dramatic skills just to accomplish half of what Butler did in this film.

Being from the Bible Belt of the South, I have seen these sort of changes in people’s lives. From the point they realize that they must change in order to save their families and oftentimes their own lives. They reach deep into their souls and then go on a mission. Those missions usually just include witnesses to nonbeliever. But not for Childers. His mission was to change and save the world. He’s still doing his work, but can rest assured that Butler did his very best portraying his very complex life to the audience.

From church to city streets, from war-torn Africa to creating a better life for a lot of orphans who the world turned their back on, and felt they were not worthy of saving. Childers does a terrific service to the world, but Gerard Butler does even more than that in this film. What the handsome actor does is change the description in front of his name in the credits from handsome and hunky to thespian, and ultimately with this role, he deserves another title or description before his name. It should be Academy Award nominated actor Gerard Butler. He has definitely proved his worthiness as a Hollywood leading man, who should be getting a lot more dramatic groundbreaking work. Butler after this marathon performance even deserves the world legend to be attached to his name.

Photographs are Courtesy: Bobby Head/Link 81 Collection and Gerard as Childers by the film’s official website