November 13, 2025
FILM: THE MAN WHO SAVES THE WORLD?
DIRECTED BY: GABE POLSKY
STARRING: PATRICK MCCOLLUM, GABE POLSKY, JANE GOODALL
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Can one individual save the world? Maybe, or perhaps they can play one small part of it. That is what the documentary The Man Who Saves the World? seems to be suggesting. Filmmaker Gabe Polsky follows Reverend Patrick McCollum throughout the Americas to find out more about him and if a prophecy once told to McCollum is true. He’d apparently been given a message that he will save the Amazon by bringing together different indigenous tribes. He may not be the actual savior but the catalyst to unite people and bring balance to humanity. Polsky’s journey with McCollum forms the film’s narrative trajectory offering a portrait of the Reverend and leading to further questions about him. However, the film also offers hope about how to save at least one part of the world.
When we first meet McCollum, Polsky explains that he has been peacemaker, a religious leader, a jewelry designer, a violinist, a carny and more. He’s had a difficult life, including a motorcycle accident at the age of 15 when he believes he died and met God. Later, his parents’ home burns down and McCollum would have several surgeries on his knees which now leave him mostly wheelchair bound. He’s married, in debt, and has a home in New Mexico with stairs that lead to nowhere. Yet, he and others believe he has a specific mission to fulfill.
Given McCollum’s rough circumstances it’s almost hard to comprehend how he could be so connected to many indigenous tribal leaders and bring them together. (Executive producers of the project include filmmakers Peter Farrelly, David Gordon Green, and Danny McBride.) He’s also friends with anthropologist Jane Goodall who believes in what McCollum can do to help the planet. While Goodall passed away last month she is seen in the film conversing with McCollum via a Zoom session. Clearly, McCollum has a lot of credibility with the socially aware and world leaders who strongly believe that he can be a major contributor to the saving of the Amazon.
Polsky, on the other hand, comes across as a bit skeptical for stretches of the film. His casual demeanor and voice over narration make us wonder if he really thinks this is real or some sort of cultish behavior. At one point, he travels with McCollum to a conference called “Parliament of Worlds Religions” where McCollum serves on a poorly attended panel discussion. Polsky makes sure he includes shots of attendees staring at their phones or falling asleep during the session. As a result, Polsky questions McCollum’s work and expresses his disillusionment with the man people think is a savior.
While doubt lingers throughout the film what is clear is that McCollum definitely has a following and lot of significant friends. Many of these are key elders of the indigenous tribes that he has been tasked with bringing together. They seem to really respect him even if there is some question about whether he was truly told the prophecy about his crucial role in the unification. Regardless, leaders from throughout the Americas do come together during the film. Of course, there’s no way to tell if it will really mean a change for the better in the Amazon, or planet in general, but there’s still a belief in the spiritual power of this coming together. It’s hard not to feel something upon viewing what transpires on screen.
While Polsky and McCollum have one scene questioning this whole project, in the end there is a sense of wonderment and hope on display that what we witness will amount to something positive.
The Man Who Saves the World? opens in limited release this week.
FILM: THE MAN WHO SAVES THE WORLD?
DIRECTED BY: GABE POLSKY
STARRING: PATRICK MCCOLLUM, GABE POLSKY, JANE GOODALL
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Can one individual save the world? Maybe, or perhaps they can play one small part of it. That is what the documentary The Man Who Saves the World? seems to be suggesting. Filmmaker Gabe Polsky follows Reverend Patrick McCollum throughout the Americas to find out more about him and if a prophecy once told to McCollum is true. He’d apparently been given a message that he will save the Amazon by bringing together different indigenous tribes. He may not be the actual savior but the catalyst to unite people and bring balance to humanity. Polsky’s journey with McCollum forms the film’s narrative trajectory offering a portrait of the Reverend and leading to further questions about him. However, the film also offers hope about how to save at least one part of the world.
When we first meet McCollum, Polsky explains that he has been peacemaker, a religious leader, a jewelry designer, a violinist, a carny and more. He’s had a difficult life, including a motorcycle accident at the age of 15 when he believes he died and met God. Later, his parents’ home burns down and McCollum would have several surgeries on his knees which now leave him mostly wheelchair bound. He’s married, in debt, and has a home in New Mexico with stairs that lead to nowhere. Yet, he and others believe he has a specific mission to fulfill.
Given McCollum’s rough circumstances it’s almost hard to comprehend how he could be so connected to many indigenous tribal leaders and bring them together. (Executive producers of the project include filmmakers Peter Farrelly, David Gordon Green, and Danny McBride.) He’s also friends with anthropologist Jane Goodall who believes in what McCollum can do to help the planet. While Goodall passed away last month she is seen in the film conversing with McCollum via a Zoom session. Clearly, McCollum has a lot of credibility with the socially aware and world leaders who strongly believe that he can be a major contributor to the saving of the Amazon.
Polsky, on the other hand, comes across as a bit skeptical for stretches of the film. His casual demeanor and voice over narration make us wonder if he really thinks this is real or some sort of cultish behavior. At one point, he travels with McCollum to a conference called “Parliament of Worlds Religions” where McCollum serves on a poorly attended panel discussion. Polsky makes sure he includes shots of attendees staring at their phones or falling asleep during the session. As a result, Polsky questions McCollum’s work and expresses his disillusionment with the man people think is a savior.
While doubt lingers throughout the film what is clear is that McCollum definitely has a following and lot of significant friends. Many of these are key elders of the indigenous tribes that he has been tasked with bringing together. They seem to really respect him even if there is some question about whether he was truly told the prophecy about his crucial role in the unification. Regardless, leaders from throughout the Americas do come together during the film. Of course, there’s no way to tell if it will really mean a change for the better in the Amazon, or planet in general, but there’s still a belief in the spiritual power of this coming together. It’s hard not to feel something upon viewing what transpires on screen.
While Polsky and McCollum have one scene questioning this whole project, in the end there is a sense of wonderment and hope on display that what we witness will amount to something positive.
The Man Who Saves the World? opens in limited release this week.