M. Dale Prins, The Promontory Film Critics Circle on Wrestled

”... this was my favorite of the shorts at Cornerstone: I would love to discuss the motivations for the main male character to take on this particular project. (Surely the money could be used in a more useful religious manner if there were no further motivations.) Cut a bit from the end, and cut the explicit references to one possible (obvious) motivation, and “Wrestled” might have made my year-end honorable mention. I’m very curious what Donlon will do next.”

Ted Shen, THE CHICAGO READER on Wrestled

“Wrestled, directed and cowritten by Phil Donlon, is the clear standout in this quartet of shorts from 2003. A man (Donlon, looking gaunt and haunted) pays a prostitute (Kelli Nonnemacher) to sit with him in his car as he reads to her from the Bible. The situation remains enigmatic: Is the man an evangelist or a fetishist? Does the hooker return to his car repeatedly, or is this his obsessive fantasy? The bleak mood is enhanced by Jim Andre’s washed-out black-and-white cinematography and underscored by two ballads from Duncan Sheik.”

Dan Lothian, NBC News on Wrestled

“Wrestled… is a thought provoking film that wrestles with a spiritual quandary…the battle to change a life in an unconventional and controversial way. ... wrestled is a gritty film and a wonderful gem that leaves you asking for more.”
(Dan Lothian, West coast Correspondent NBC News)

Duncan Sheik on Wrestled

“I just watched your film, congratulations, I thought it was moving. And, nice use of the songs! Thanks and great job, Duncan”

Spike Lee on Wrestled

“I enjoyed your film”

Infuze Magazine on Phil Donlon

“Pioneering visionaries like Ralph Winter, Phil Donlon, and Doug Jones are boldly living out lives of faith not only within Hollywood culture, but in front of it.”

Infuze Magazine on Phil Donlon

“Of everyone we spoke with in 2005, director/actor Phil Donlon is one of the best living, breathing prototypes of this “new Hollywood.” He is successfully walking the tightrope daily—crafting thoughtful, highly artistic, moralistic films and attracting major interest from Hollywood. Writer/director Scott Derrickson has achieved tremendous influence through his horror films like The Exorcism of Emily Rose.

Look for an explosion of Donlons and Derricksons in the next few years.”

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