Deitrick Haddon’s Blessed & Cursed
Tyscot Films
Directed by Joel Kapity
Available exclusively on DVD July 27, 2010
www.blessedandcursedthemovie.com
Deitrick Haddon’s Blessed & Cursed marks the gospel singer’s acting debut and Indianapolis-based Tyscot’s first foray into the world of theatrical film production.
Set and filmed in Detroit, Blessed & Cursed follows the journey of Dwight Hawkins (Deitrick Haddon), the musically talented son of a local minister. Hawkins is inadvertently “discovered” by Bishop Wright and asked to serve as Psalmist for his church. We learn that Bishop Wright’s ego is as large as the man and as fragile as his health. He exhibits brash behavior, jealousy and insensitivity to those around him, including his wife (played by Sheryl Lee Ralph) and his staff. As Hawkins’s musical talent begins to capture national attention, the Bishop becomes threatened, and at one point embarrasses Hawkins and his troupe (the Voices of Unity) in front of the entire congregation.
Much of the remainder of the story centers on Hawkins’s personal struggle with petty but destructive church politics and the challenge it poses to his faith, especially when trouble at home forces him to choose between his newfound position and loyalty to his family.
The musical sequences are quite good, and fans of Haddon, Detroit gospel, or power praise and worship music will enjoy them, especially the scene when Rance Allen (as himself) stops by the church to offer Hawkins and his singing group a few tips.
What prevents Blessed & Cursed from being a much better film is its dizzying array of subplots and incidental scenes. It is as if every completed scene was kept in the film whether it moved the story along or not. These sidebars include Hawkins’s amorous interest in the Bishop’s niece Patrice (Drew Sidora, who has a Beyonce-like million-dollar smile), the reappearance of an ex-girlfriend, a group member’s struggle between making music for the church or the world, conflict between Hawkins and a conniving deacon, and scenes where Hawkins is writing music, recording music, and rehearsing music. There’s three films’ worth of activity going on. In other (and more famous) words, less would have been more.
Had Blessed & Cursed focused its attention solely on Hawkins’s choice between working for his father, whose church still owed on the mortgage, and the imperious and rich Bishop Wright, AND how the tug-of-war and church politics influenced the young man’s creativity and musical direction, the film could have been Haddon’s – and possibly contemporary gospel’s – Purple Rain. And he could still get the girl.
Perhaps the biggest victim of too many subplots and incidentals is the dramatic tension that every good film requires. The only tension we feel – and it is a superb scene – is when Hawkins’s mother falls deathly ill while the young man is attending one of the Bishop’s endlessly tedious staff meetings. The Bishop chastises Hawkins for leaving the meeting before it is over, but he has no choice. It’s his mother, for Heaven’s sake, who, it turns out, played a central role in the family’s fortunes, though we hardly ever see or hear from her. You can feel the claustrophobia of the spot in which Hawkins finds himself. More scenes like that would have taken this film to a whole new level.
Still, I think it is great that Detroit’s gospel community – the Clarks and Moss’s and Allens and others – came together to make a movie. So many projects like this never make it off the idea napkin, but Blessed & Cursed was filmed, edited, distributed and will be in stores on July 27. And the soundtrack, incidentally, is sensational. It is available now.
Three of Five Stars
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Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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jeJTHIS MOVIE WAS GREAT, LOTS OF GREAT SONGS AND MUSIC……..I ONLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FINDING THE SONG HE SANG, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONE OF THEM ALL, “WELL DONE…….I JUST WANNA GO TO HEAVEN……” I CAN’T FIND IT ANYWHERE????? IT SOMEONE FINDS IT PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [email protected]
I just watched this movie last night, the cast was great and the message was profound! Keep up the awesome work that u are doing and keep God first. I want to say more but I can’t find the words that express my feeling at this depth. One day I hope to be filled with the annointing in my life as expressed in this movie! Where can we find any/all songs on the dvd??? [email protected]
they have a soundtrack…check amazon or just type “blessed and cursed soundtrack” on google
Yes, they have the soundtrack, but the song Well Done is not on it! “I have looked all over and can’t find” it!
It comes out January 25, 2011,the cd is called Deitrick Haddon Church on the Moon. I been listening to the music from the movie on youtube.
TERRIBLE FILM (Blessed and Curse words) : THIS FILM IS HAZARDOUS TO TRUE CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comments will be harsh but it wont be no CUSSIN in them, i don’t do that, I’m delivered from that! Watched it just to see how far these gospel artist will go to compromise!
As for critiquing the movie structure: Young Dwight didn’t even last long so what was the point of even showing himself young. No attention getter whatsoever; i guess the attention getter was all the big famous names in gospel??? The story plot, i do not get it, how is it that Dwight is delivered from fornication so quickly! There was no deliverance service no repentance, no Jesus Christ. It was depicted so unreal.
There was no rising action, no climax, no falling action, no lesson. It really seemed like a self-righteous film showing TOO MUCH OF DEITRICK showcasing his TALENTS as Dwight! Speaking of talents why is it that within this movie as well as real life church folk always confused talent for the anointing? Folks said Tonex was anointed cuz he cud hit them HIGH notes but now he’s exposed that all along he was GAY, so was it the anointed then???or TALENT!!!
Back to the self-righteousness of this film, the opening song first words by SUZZY was the some of the most anti-christ lyrics written : “If you want more record sales, then you gotta show more of yourself” when JESUS clearly says for us to DENY ourselves pick up our cross and follow HIM (Mat 16:24)!!!
I don’t know who was first Tyler Perry or TD Jakes, but why is it now that every so called “christian” film is following this trend with getting away with cuss words in the scripts! What is a cussin christian??? As Christians we are to put off that old man of FILTHY LANGUAGE and put on a new man who is renewed… according to HIM that has created him Col 3:8
In this movie, signing or shall i say screaming, record deals, tours, and music was more glorified in this film then Jesus, even though just about every gospel artist or minister will claim that their mission is to do a great work for Jesus. How can you do that and never even glorify him! We don’t even know if Dwight was saved, all we know is that he was a singing fornicating PK.
Although i believe the film had no true Godly lesson, i got my own. I learned that I i were a practicing fornicator (which I’m not) that i can get up on stage, sing and dance around and make folks cry and have a powerful EMOTIONAL move, they will call me anointed confusing talent for the anointing, then i can write songs, record albums, and become famous, and self-righteous i.e. the very opposite of what Jesus tells us to do!
Lastly,I jus knew some type of demonic symbolism was going to be in this film; what is a HEXOGRAM doing in a “christian” film???? It can be researched as the most DEMONIC film of SATAN!!!
P.S. True christian believers, we’ve got to pray, because if these kinds of films are what’s passing for “christian” films then it can only get worse. The devil is NOT playing, if he can transform himself into an angel of light then he also can transform his ministers into ministers of righteous. It’s already enough that these so called “gospel” artist/ministers will even feature with the devil’s music artist and stars.
Please listen to these teaching by Minister G. Craige Lewis; a powerful minister of GOD who preaches UNCOMPROMISABLE TRUTH!
Talents are not Gifts teaching
http://www.true-church.org/atcp-10-11-09.mp3
http://www.true-church.org/atcp-10-18-09.mp3
http://www.true-church.org/atcp-10-25-09.mp3
http://www.true-church.org/atcp-11-1-09.mp3
http://www.true-church.org/atcp-11-8-09.mp3
http://www.true-church.org/atcp-11-15-09.mp3
SLS: Yes, it is prudent to be discerning of good and evil. James 3 says lest ye not stumble on the Word, ye be perfect. So you think we are being deceived by this movie and Tyler Perry’s… watch the documentary on Adolf Hitler by CBN’s Gordon Robertson posted April 19, 2013, and see if that doesn’t soften your stance.
First I enjoyed the movie. Second, SLS, not trying to be confrontational but the film first of all is for entertainment purposes. Second, doesn’t the word say gifts come without repentance. Question, what does it take to be saved? To my understanding it would be to accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. Now once you do that that does not mean all sins cease. Doesn’t happen over night. He was raised with the Word, his father was a preacher. He knew what he was supposed to be doing but like many of us he chose to do what pleased him instead of God. Once he realized that the blessing that had been offered to him was of God, he decided to try to get it right do the right thing.He said that was his hang up. and when she wasn’t receptive I’m sure that made things easier for him to do what he needed to get closer to his destiny. This is just my opinion, no need for anyone to get upset. Be blessed!
This movie is real not fluff, yes it’s a lot of Deitrick but he is the main character. Yes it does have a lot of different mini plots and messy but life is messy There are storms and falls in life we go through and its messy church folks are messy cause because people are messy because we are humans. Humans stride to be better we stride to be better NO ONE IS PERFECT NO ONE IS JESUS we stride to be Godlike but its a road a journey to get that way not an instant transformation cause we are humans.
I agree with SLS this movie is a sad display of what’s wrong with the church. The man had a problem and instead of praying for him letting him come under the word and prove his new walk they through him on stage. Yes the gifts of God come wthout repentance but only the pure can be anointed. I would have been pleased if there was a conversion experience, and a period of time where we could see a Dwight sitting under the word and correcting His life for Jesus and not for a music minister position. Those pastors were right not tohire him because they needed to see Him living a repented lifestyle. Salvation is repenting living a life holy and acceptable unto God.
Gospel music is filled with people who haven’t come in through Christ but came in through talent, it’s sad and against God.
mw This is one of the greatest singers of all time.. And now movie.. What’s next.. Anyways.. Back to the movie, I’ve enjoyed it from start to finish.. Wish that I could find the soloist who sung the neo-soul gospel song in the movie while Dwight Hawkins was headed to Atl in about 5 hours.. I just fell in love with that song.. And you best believe, I will buy his cd when it comes out.. Loved every song in the movie and on the soundtrack.. But that actor who sung playing the guitar, WOW!!
I understand where everyone is coming from and I understand that everyone has their own opinions but one thing that we ‘christians’ do is attack when we don’t like something and that’s what we are not supposed to do. If you don’t like a film that’s fine but don’t attack the film (cast, directors, production, etc.) pray for them. If you feel that these films are sending a wrong message then pray for change. If these people aren’t following what God wants them to do then in due time it will come to the light but don’t attack the way people are trying to reach out to the world to draw them to God. I’m not saying that cussing in certain films is ok but you don’t know what God is doing through someone. Just because it doesn’t seem right to you means that its wrong. God works in mysterious ways and He can turn anything negative into something positive. Stop pointing out all the negatives and look deeper to what God may be saying or doing to that lost soul that can relate to that story. Like I said as ‘christians’ we must pray continually for change.
this was a gr8 movie i can really relate to it because very christian has down fall all that matter is when we get up are we going to fall right back
I Watched The Movie Recently and Had a Breakdown Right then. I Quit Drinkn n the Dark Cloud that has Been Follown me Vanished. I just got the Soundtrack Today n I wanna Say God Is Good.
I enjoyed the movie because I was able to experience the annointing in my home as the songs were ministered in throughout the movie.
The scene of dwight as a child I feeled served the purpose of allowing the audience to know that this was a gift and or talent given or started early on.
I loved that dwight showed his deliverance immediately. When Jesus delivered people there was no ceremony or service. He spoke or touched and that was it. Same with those that follow. It takes us services because we are so far away from walking in the power of God. We operate in a tiny fraction of what we should be or what those before us did.
I did become disappointed when he was kissing candy and then was puzzled when him and patrice didn’t go there. Before you judge what I’m saying. In a movie as a believer french kissing would be out of the question for me. So as a man of God I was like oh no when him and candy kissed. Then I never saw him and patrice have a first kiss which would be rare in a movie where it has taken place early on in the movie. So I brushed it off as having them wanting to portray patrice in the best of ways considering her role but was still not understanding how to accept him as a man of God with great annointing and he kissed candy in his movie. Then I googled and realized that candy is actually his wife in real life and everything became so clear. I was like he could kiss candy because candy is his wife. I was so proud. My spirit was upset with the movie Good Deeds just to put it out there but its wasn’t far from expected!
The pastors that did not hire him after his one night fall per movie all said they heard about the life he was living. Not once did any of them say God said you are not right for this ministry or God laid it on my spirit that you need to repent. It shows how people get stuck on authority and leave God out. God is merciful. He forgives. No character of God was displayed by them. Not one of them questioned what happened or bothered to ask him if he had repented.
So I feel holiness was portrayed and that which God desires to accomplish through the movie being created can be because the standard was not lowered just because of what it is and how it could have been the “next purple rain” (lol), I read in another review, if some others things were done. I don’t know about you but the rain God created is not purple. God is tired of the purple rains and foolishness. Holiness is what He is calling for. Too many believers have compromised their gifts and ideas God has given them so that it fits into or achieves what the world says that it can or like the things in the world achieve.
One point to note is…dat movie wasnt made for to depict righteousness/unrighteousness…it took d viewers(us)like already made righteous…dats why they never showed any part for dedication and concecration of Detricks life or any other…We just kmew He denounced his major sin…
Each time God uses a man..He refuses to care about his past…He focused more on what and how much more people He can save through him…its at that point that the mans life also gets to be shaped by God…
When He used samson…he was faulty of fornication..but He needed to use him save men…Samson still got saved..didnt he…before He died..
God help us…i sing and ive set my point/cut-off of his anointing to be any thing greater than Detricks…
Listen to what Bishop said in the movie…
“I dont want you to get that confused with what its really all about..in every meeting…its all about the word…”
“See lots of times a lot of people are being talented but we lack the word..i want you to be CLEAR(Gods word clarifies our motives and heart intents such that we do everything for Him each time we use our gifts)I want you to get into the word…”
The strip club scene was a bit much. It could take somebody back. But it did expose the fact that some praise leaders do some pretty lustful things.
I loved the movie and the struggles.
The strip club scene Was really too much. I didn’t really want my husband to see that. It is real that some praise leaders and church leaders do that stuff. I loved the struggles that the movie depicted.
If you didn’t want your husband to see a “strio club scene” you insecure.
Let’s all remember THIS IS A MOVIE! Good for what it was! And as for him just being hired bc he could sing…A lot of churches do that! Gt good ppl and call em “music ministers” so that was REAL! He CLEARLY stated “I’m tryna live what I sing about” Futher more in the song she’s sayin u have to show more to get record sales which is TRUE she clearly states she doesn’t want to be of the world,and young Dwight ws shown to emphasize how long his dad has been trying to get his own church. Did you all NOT watch the movie
Great film! The film depicts some of the realities happening within the church, with church members, as well as some of the church and members’ interactions within the world. Christians are sinners, and this movie depicts just that; The Bible does the same. If the Bible can depict fornication, adultery, prostitution and murder within the world, then why are we all so alarmed about a man-made film depicting the same? We see the same things when we watch sitcoms and movies on television, even on the news, and I’m almost certain that neither of us complaining and pointing the finger are without sin ourselves. This film is no more hazardous to humans than living our daily lives. We must learn to discern bad from good and, prayerfully, choose the latter. Praise God that the cast and film-makers of Blessed & Cursed were doing something constructive, like creating a movie for us, instead of committing heinous crimes against us.
Most of you come from a Baptist , COGIC or Pentecostal background, as I do!
So I’m only going to add these few words::: DONT HATE THE MESSENGER!!!!
This film perfectly depicts the intricately insane and sad drama that goes on behind the scenes… (And I thought it was great)
I would know, I’ve lived it , I’ve seen it and I still see it today (59) years later!
Both my Father and Stepfather were & are Pastors or Ministers & have family members who are Bishops and Reverend’s
So you really shouldn’t be so critical of someone else’s TRUTH!!!
Our GOD is an Amazing ,Awesome & Forgiving GOD …
Watch who and why you judge
Let’s not forget that!🔥🙏🏾🔥