“Leap Of Faith” joins “Roxanne” and “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” because it’s another fun and warm-hearted comedy from Steve Martin. While I feel Martin could have pushed the humour more, it’s certainly a lot better than some of his more recent outings that leave you feeling cold (e.g. “The Pink Panther” remake).

In “Leap Of Faith”, Martin plays conman Jonas Nightengale as he gathers communities into his shows where he convinces them into thinking he’s performing miracles (and he does this while wearing a brilliant disco ball-style jacket). He and his team reach the small town of Rustwater where the local sheriff (Liam Neeson “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace”) is hot on his trail. Over his days there, Nightengale begins to question himself and what he’s doing… the film leaves you on a powerful note.

Martin plays the slyness just right and when he’s making those enthusiastic speeches, he gets it right too. It becomes an interesting character when some of the things he does seem to actually cause genuinely good things, making the questioning of his methods even more intriguing. Also, his jacket is great; I want that jacket! Debra Winger (“Terms of Endearment”) and Neeson are also pretty good.

“Leap Of Faith” has an inspired moment near the beginning involving a watch because it’s ridiculous and funny yet it also conveys the sort-of lengths real-life preachers go to (both fraudulent and genuine). The whole film’s pretty fun and has that emotional side to give it that little extra but as I say I definitely feel more humour could have been added because after all, that is why we go and see Steve Martin movies. When you see Martin up on the stage shouting and screaming about miracles, don’t tell me that he hasn’t just nailed it.