2fresh 2clean
It was better than I thought. Whenever I want to watch a movie I always check with IMDb before I watch it because 98% of the time they are right. In this case they were wrong. IMDb gave this movie 4.6 out of 10 stars. I gave it 7 stars. As a Christian I thought the message in this movie was very powerful, for anyone. If you're a person who cries at tear jerker movies, this one just might make you cry. I recommend this movie to everyone. The acting in this movie, except for Louis Gossett Jr, was kind of amateur, but that didn't hurt this film. This would definitely be a good movie for the whole family to sit around and see on a nice quiet evening. This movie is a must see. Now it's rare that my wife and I agree on what's a good movie and what isn't a good movie, but we both agreed that this one was good.
dogbardave
(Some comments may be considered a "spoiler.") I watch a lot of movies, mainly videos, and after watching this intense drama, I uttered, "This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time." AND, I've also seen a number of Christian videos, and this, by far exceeds everything I've seen (FYI: The worst by far (plot, acting, and for editing) is the movie "I Am.") I think the challenge for Christian videos is to deal with the expected conversion scenes, which when seen by the public, can seem a bit embarrassing and appear "cheesy" because it is expected (yet still an outreach goal), the message is well known, and it is very personal. In reality, when people do come to Christ, it's often emotional and "the way" is known, and most of the drama in the whole thing is internal, not the dialogue that people might overhear. Obviously, it's imperative and great for the soul, but for movie making, it might not rate real high because it is so well known.Acting: I was really impressed with the acting of M&M Mac. Clearly, the pain in the family was intense, and it was very honest in portraying how a father's own "demons" can damage and eventually destroy his whole family. (I suppose the same can be said for mom's who have demons.) I think these two actors carried the movie. Sam's character was not as dramatic overall, but the actor had some great acting moments as well. The contrast between visceral pain and "happy pastor" was clear. Perhaps, it's just plain easier to act in pain, than jovial. I dunno...am not an actor. STILL, I thought Sam's character was very well acted, for most movies, and certainly for this film. Sam's wife, was a bit of a flat character (as written), but she acted well and her character acted as an anchor. It's interesting to contrast her role and Mrs. Macs' role. Both were anchors for their families, but with different successes, given the whole environment they lived in. The "conversion scene was well done" and it seemed realistic. The part where the former criminal offender came into the Church (and maybe an earlier scene) were a bit awkward. I'm sure if that happened in real life, it WOULD be awkward...to say the least. But the ending scene with Mac & the grace card was particularly well acted...excellent non dialogue acting.Technical: I think when a drama is done right, you don't notice anything. When it fails, or when it excels, you notice things. I liked the flashback and water in the beginning. Thought: Was there water later in the story similar to the beginning...i.e, sprinkling?? It might be interesting to consider the role of water in this script as it has obvious symbolism in the Bible and in literature. I think the lighting was well done...oppressive and brooding at the Mac's home and bright and cheery...i.e, normal in the Wright's home. The rest seemed just fine and appropriate to this untrained eye. It was great marketing to have Louis Gossett Jr. here, even in a minor role, and he did well providing the back story for the Sam Wright.Plot/Message: Wow. High score to address "head on" racial conflict (mainly) between Blacks / Whites. It was clear that this was not a movie targeted only for the Black or for the White demographic. It certainly seemed that this movie was targeted at both Christian Blacks and Whites, or at least to those same demographics who were familiar with Christianity. While it likely has a deep historical dimension for the SE USA, it also played well outside that region. I thought it was a honest and sensitive approach to this vast and sensitive topic.It looked at this scenario from a Black Church model, and it was interesting to see that side. (It seems Hollywood loves to slam White Christian church models, so THAT gets very old...and it's politically correct and biased. Talk about predictable.) I think this movie does well to show us that while we all seek comfort socially and spiritually, real growth in God comes through "teachers" God plants in front of our faces on a daily basis. I thought the struggles that Sam had were honest and real. It's easy to "play church," but "You (God)desire truth in the innermost being" (Ps.51:6). How do you love someone who hates you w/o cause...just because they don't like your skin color (or the way you look, or dress, or talk, or your house, or your kids, or where you live, or...?). I think this is the power in this movie. You can take it on face value as a Black man trying God's grace to forgive and love a White man with Christ's love, or you can take it a step further that we all have people we hate/dislike/disapprove/look down on, and God demands that we love them, with His love, as His love is blind. My family of 4 were all tearing up at different points in this movie. Very powerful "deep magic."Music: I like Third Day, but when their song came on, it seemed a bit out of sync for the scene, but that may be just me. Toby Mac and Tenth Avenue's contributions were "picture perfect." (All three groups are great performers! Summary: We were all moved by this video, and will likely purchase it. This is an honest look at what it takes to walk in Christ with an honest heart. I think it's a peek at heaven when we do right.
denise_sunrise
Loved everything about this movie, wish there were more like it! It is right up there with Fireproof, Facing the Giants and Fly Wheel in content but slightly better technology wise. Dealing with real life stuff with a grace filled message. This is a realistic, down-to-earth slice of life film with a powerful Christian theme of reconciliation. Deals with the tough issue of racism. Who needs high tech when the plot is as good as this. The people did a great job portraying their part, it was heart tugging and soul searching. All ages could see it, even the parts that reveal some harder police work do not show anything disgusting, you will have to use your imagination that most film makers today don't know what that is! Plus I love the part that the families make a choice to love one another even when they are unlovable because most messages at movies today are the "grass is greener so it is OK to leave behind and move on!"
pastorjeff-989-167211
I thought Director David Evans first foray into directing was well done. While he necessarily had to tip toe around some of the thematic elements in order to maintain an acceptable rating for his target audience, he avoided some of the pitfalls of other Christian movies that tended to sanitize the movie by showing the characters offer up a simple prayer of salvation,or a need to God and magically life came together for them. David Evans, allows us to wittiness the inner turmoil of the characters, and their struggles to make sense of the issues they face.-Mack struggling with the loss of His son, and the turmoil and degradation of his family that is the result of his own unresolved anger which has turned to bitterness and borders on hatred for all of humanity. Simultaneously we see Pastor Sam as he struggles with loving his neighbor(Mac) whom is a racist. These are complex issues that certainly could have been explored more in depth with a larger budget, professional actors, and an R rating, but given the circumstances, and purpose of this film, I think the movie does an excellent job of allowing the audience to make the connections to the deeper issues at play. I wish all Christian based movies had the courage to tackle such while doing an equally good job of resisting the urge to put God in a box and relegate him to a fairy God mother sitting around waiting for His followers to offer up a prayer request that he can snap His fingers and answer in a 2 hour time frame. I give it 8 stars, but rate it 10 above to off set the lack of grace that many professional critics will use when rating this film.
