Produced by Sherwood Pictures.  Released:September 26, 2008, by Samuel Goldwyn Films.  Directed by: Alex Kendrick, Runtime: 118 minutes, Cast: Kirk Cameron (Caleb Holt), Erin Bethea (Catherine Holt), Ken Bevel (Michael Simmons), Harris Malcom (John Holt), Phyllis Malcom (Cheryl Holt), Blake Bailey (Stephanie Mills), Walter Burnett (Dr. Anderson), Bill Stafford (Mr. Rudolph)

This is a film made by Christians for Christians, starring Christians with a Christian story and a Christian worldview. It was produced by Sherwood Pictures, a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church, the same bunch who produced Facing the Giants and Flywheel.

In short I liked it, I really liked it. I found myself laughing and crying all the way though. Usually I find Christian films to be rather boring, amateurish, and preachy–but that is not the case with this film.

It is the story of Caleb and Catherine Holt who were in the midst of a failing marriage and seriously facing the prospect of a divorce after 7 years of marriage.

Caleb, played by Kirk Cameron, is a fireman who seems consumed by his job at times and then at home ignores his wife for porno on the web, yet is disappointed because his wife doesn’t seem to respect him. Catherine is a hospital administrator who receives better treatment on the job, particularly from one particular doctor.

In the midst of their trouble, Caleb turns to his father for advise, who gets him to commit to The Love Dare, a book with a 40-day devotional designed at restoring relationships. His father tells him that it saved his own marriage. At first Caleb just goes through the motions with little or no effect at all.

This part of the movie is more realistic than most Christian movies dare to be. The marriage doesn’t turn on a dime but seems to continue to spiral downhill. But it is Christian movie after all so you can guess what the outcome will be. It is however, well done.

The film also provides a couple of firemen action scenes, one in a burning house rescue and another involving a car on a train track. Both dramatic and effective parts in the overall experience of the film.

There is also plenty of opportunities in the film to laugh. Scenes of comedy relief are offered up at the hospital where Catherine works and the everyday hi-jinks that happen at a firehouse.

In the end it is a tear jerker, even though you expected it going in. This movie was far more effective that I ever expected. It only got preachy a couple of times and the message was far more naturally embedded than usually is the case in a Christian production.

I highly recommend this film and hope that Christians all over will fill the theaters and make a statement that Hollywood won’t be able to ignore.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The surprise film hit of the fall
• Fireproof: When Filmmakers Believe in Miracles
• It’s a Healthy Marriage of Faith and Filmmaking

>>>Don't Miss an Update!**Click Now**Get ANSWERS Movies & TV Commentary by Email<<<