But this reading may be too simplistic. On the one hand, Christing — who grew up in the Reorganized LDS Church (which is separate from the LDS Church) and now worships with nondenominational Protestants — is clearly impressed by Smith, whom he calls a “charismatic genius.” On the other, he seems intent on treating Smith’s story with plenty of critical detachment.
“A few years ago, there was a lot of heat around the whole idea of the search for the historical Jesus,” Christing tells the Phoenix. “What we’re exploring here is the search for the historical Joseph. Who was this guy? Was he a prophet, a fraud, a polygamist, a politician? We’re really interested in getting at the root of this, because, without Joseph Smith, there’s no Mormonism.”
The film is still being edited, and no trailer was available as of press time, so it’s impossible to say how Christing’s vision will play out on screen. The distribution arrangement for A Mormon President is also unclear; according to Christing, he’s working on both theatrical and broadcast versions, but nothing’s been hammered out yet. Stay tuned — Romney certainly will.
On the Web
Adam Reilly's Media Log: http://www.thephoenix.com/medialog
Related:
The passion of the candidate, The Mormonator, Feeding the rabid right, More 
- The passion of the candidate
Pity Mitt Romney, the object of religious persecution, forced to make a public speech confronting the antagonistic forces that have kept his candidacy down by attacking his faith.
- The Mormonator
With the single-minded discipline and cold-blooded calculation of a cyborg, Mitt Romney is executing an aggressive campaign plan.
- Feeding the rabid right
Mitt Romney’s attempt to follow George W. Bush’s formula to the Republican presidential nomination has hit a snag.
- Mitt's equity army
The predictions coming out of Ames, Iowa, hold that former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is expected to win this weekend’s closely watched straw poll.
- Mitt can’t pull a JFK
Sorry, Mitt, but the JFK approach isn’t going to cut it.
- Plogging away
When asked about the Internet, most political candidates will dutifully tell you that it’s the wave of the future, or the wave of the present, or the greatest thing since chocolate-chip bagels, or … zzzzzz … wake me when baseball’s post-season starts.
- Romney’s greatest gaffes — so far
All of a sudden, Massachusetts is America’s poster child for health-care reform — and nobody’s happier about that than Governor Mitt Romney, who, as a result, has become a popular dark-horse pick for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.
- Drive free or die
Reporter Mark Leibovich offered a parenthetical aside on a brush with former Massachusetts governor and would-be president Mitt Romney’s security detail.
- Tormenting Teddy
After 32 years in the US Senate, Ted Kennedy remains a force to be reckoned with, both for his legendary family history and his considerable accomplishments.
- The end of the affair?
During Mitt Romney's failed bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, he demonstrated a potent knack for wooing the conservative commentariat.
- New and improved Romney
Scott Brown's unexpected victory in last month's special US Senate election captured the attention of the country — and particularly of core Republican voters, who huddled eagerly before their TV screens to watch their hero du jour give his acceptance speech. But even in the midst of his moment in the sun, Brown made sure to thank the other handsome, well-coifed man on the stage, Mitt Romney.
- Less
Topics:
Media -- Dont Quote Me
, Deval Patrick, John Kerry, Robert Novak, More
, Deval Patrick, John Kerry, Robert Novak, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormon Church, Brigham Young University, Mormon, Joseph Smith, Christopher Cain, September Dawn, Less
