August 13, 2008
Facing the Giants (2006)
Should I see it?
Sure.
Sure.
This film was co-written, directed and stars Alex Kendrick. Kendrick is good in the lead as a down-and-out football coach who turns to God for help. The film is good, not great, but good. Where the film hits trouble is in the script and direction which are both far too demanding. Kendrick mishandles the narrative in a number of places and seems to promote a theological thought that makes God out to be a dispenser of good tidings and little more. The characters turn to God and he answers all of their immediate problems, as if he were some celestial wishing well. We are servants of the Lord, not the other way around. I'm not saying its inherently wrong to turn to God for help, but this film seems to support the idea that if you believe in God, you'll have all your wishes come true. God is not a self-help Santa Clause. I am sure this wasn't their intention, they appear to be earnest Christians. Due to an uneven delivery of the theological viewpoint comes across this way.
As a movie, this is an approachable production but has its share of problems (see above.) Some parts succeed while others fail. It pushes its agenda way too hard and most non-Christians will turn up their noses up at the loaded dialog. Christians may be more sympathetic. I appreciate the effort here and Kendrick and company deserve credit for pulling this off. I am left hoping the mistakes of this production are just a result of the pressures of independent film making and not holes in the abilities of the filmmakers. From what I see here Kendrick is a good producer and a passable actor but his scriptwriting skills are needing improvement. The film is structured well, but the dialog is troubled. Too weighed down and certainly not organic. If the Kendrick brothers write a more relaxed script and urge Alex Kendrick to find a more distinct voice with his direction and the final product will improve greatly.
I would say that the hype surrounding the movie regarding the MPAA giving this film a PG-13 Rating because it was too "Christian" or too proselytizing is simply not true. The film deals with a man's infertility issues, this topic alone would keep the film from getting a G-Rating. The cries of foul over the rating seem to me to be unfounded..
Related Reviews:
Christian films
One Night with the King (2006)
The Second Chance (2006)
Other Critic's Reviews:
Decent Films Guide
Hollywood Jesus
Labels: Alex Kendrick, Christian film, film, movie review, sports movie, Stephen Kendrick
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 6:00 PM
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1 Comments:
In one part of his review, the critic says that "Facing The Giants" pushes it agenda way too hard. I, for one, strongly disagree. All this movie was trying to do was share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people that, otherwise, are lost and on their way to spend eternity in Hell. And as for the comment that most non-Christians would turn up their noses to the message, I say that, if they're offended, that's their problem. At least the producers of this wonderful film realized their responsibility to make sure the message is presented in a clear way that would lead souls to be saved.
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