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June 7, 2008
The Second Chance (2006)
Should I see it?
Nope.


Short Review: You won’t want to give these guys a first chance.



Christian cultural posterboy Steve Taylor left the Christian music scene, a genre of music bloated with derivative musical acts trying to make a buck off of their more talented secular leaders, to be a part of this film. The film stars Michael W. Smith, a big name in the aforementioned musical genre. It should be striking you by now that I’m talking about a film and I haven’t mentioned anyone involved who would know anything about movie making. Somehow we’re supposed to be excited a couple of musicians have made a movie. Isn’t this like getting excited because a podiatrist is going to take care of your dental needs? Apparently, there's not enough Christian filmmakers available to do the job. I rail against the trend of letting rap “artists” star in films just because they’re famous. Every time Ludacris gets a role, a real actor goes hungry. The same applies here.

I understand they cast Michael W. Smith because he is a known commodity in Christian culture, and this film was made for a Christian audience. His presence would garner more attention to the target audience. It makes sense, but it doesn’t mean its good for the culture.

The film itself is not horrid, then again it ain't a joy neither – its just there. The plot is unimaginative. A white preacher who successfully runs a big, fat church in the suburbs is sent down to Second Chance, a run down church in the inner city where a black preacher scrapes to get by. Oh! A dismissive white guy goes to the inner city and learns his lesson! Let the racial tensions fly! Yawn.

To be fair, there are some good portions to the film in particular in the second act while the characters are getting to know one another. Jeff Obafemi Carr who plays Jake Sanders, the inner city preacher, has many good moments and shows promise. If he were to connect with a director who knew how to develop actors, he may do well. Smith on the other hand fails to provide any emotional depth beyond the requirements of a music video. The most impressive part of his performance is his hairstyle.

Steve Taylor’s directing isn’t off mark, it’s just without style or nuance. The story unfolds not as a narrative but as a series of events mashed together to make a predestined point. Taylor trips on some interesting interactions along the way but doesn’t expand enough on these things. For that matter, he doesn’t expand on anything. He simply pushes the story forward without an ounce of flavor or contemplation.

Looking at the piece as a whole, it is a miss. As a Christian film, it succeeds in hitting the stride of the genre, which isn’t a positive statement. It has the emotional and intellectual depth of a Davey and Goliath episode with a bad soundtrack. I’m certain Mr. Taylor means well but perhaps next time it would be better to leave the filmmaking to the filmmakers. Just a thought.


Related Reviews:
Movies starring musicians
Purple Rain (1984)
Something the Lord Made (2004)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Independent Critics
eFilmCritic

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posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 9:41 AM




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