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| Fireproof: This review was hard to write; ♦♦♦½ | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 2 2008, 09:41 AM (369 Views) | |
| Post #1 Nov 2 2008, 09:41 AM |
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This review is really hard to write. To me, on a personal level, this movie is gets ♦♦♦♦♦. It is one of the most profound films of all time--again, to me. It pounded home the message that my wife and God both love me more than I can ever deserve and that I am incapable of loving them as much as they deserve. It moved me more than any other movie ever has--and that is movie-making at its finest. Then I read the reviews at Yahoo.com. I was disgusted by all the F's from those who hate the Christian message and who feel that such a message has no place anywhere. One even went so far as to insist that no "respective [sic] theater" should ever show a Christian movie. The A+'s that fawned all over the movie simply because it had a powerful Christian message also bothered me. When one writes a review, it is reasonable to consider and include one's personal reactions. However, it must be borne in mind that a review is a courtesy to the readers, to help them decide whether or not to attend a show. So, I will bear that in mind, and I must write an honest review that informs Christians, those who feel that religious messages are ridiculous, and all those in between. If you are a Christian, you will find this movie uplifting. Its message goes beyond one of salvation to one about living life after salvation and making God a part of earthly relationships, particularly marriage. You will be moved. You will become closer to God. Your faith, through Jesus, will grow, and, surely, that faith will manifest more in your relationships. It will be one of the most important films that you ever see. If you despise religious messages, this film, regardless of any technical merit, will be a bomb to you. Don't go. (Evangelical Christians may be bothered to hear me write this, fearing that someone might not be saved simply because they wouldn't attend this movie on my say-so. However, those who hate Christian messages are not going to be swayed by them. Their hatred of the message will just be intensified by its reiteration. Maybe someday they'll be ready, just not today. So, they shouldn't go.) For everyone else in between, this review will be graded with you in mind. Be forewarned. Three or four times during the movie, the message of salvation through Jesus Christ will be shared from one character to another. But, even though you never see that happen in the overwhelming majority of Hollywood films, that sharing is reality. People, Christians that is, often share the message of salvation with another person in crisis, someone whose situation has readied him to hear it. Unreality is the extent to which we so rarely see this message in film. That all being said, hear is the review proper: The story of unconditional love saving a marriage rings true. Marriages fail because two people are being selfish in conflicting ways. When one of the two starts giving unselfishly in large doses, the other, if he or she has any kind of heart, is going to have to respond in kind. The story also sends the very real message that, if one truly wants to be a different person, the first step is to go through all the motions. The advice is: be the person you want to be, even if it is not yet truly heart-felt. Over time, it will become so, and you will change. The story, even on a non-Christian level, exudes truth. As to the acting: Kirk Cameron turns in a stunning performance. He won't be recognized for it. But, if his work is honestly assessed, his effort will be seen as one of the best of the year. The remainder of the acting is not as good, amply competent, but not as good. Some hateful things have been posted on Yahoo.com about the acting. Those comments spring from a hate for the movie's religious message spilling over to where it shouldn't. (Appropriately enough, this is know as "The Halo or Horns Effect.") The acting generally gets off to a slow start, but everyone hits their stride, and, if you allow, you will get caught up in the believability of these solid performances. The direction neither makes nor breaks the movie. The story and characters have a life of their own and are far more noticeable than the direction. The visuals are also not a major contributor to the value of the movie. But, when important (such as in the fire scenes), they are well done. There was one conspicuous hole in the movie. Early on, one of the firefighters is rebuked for leaving his partner in a fire. He is told to give the partner some time (we all need time to fume when we've been wronged) and, after that time, to apologize. I anticipated this apology, thinking it would foreshadow the denouement, much as the act of leaving of a partner in a fire analogized husband and wife separating in a crisis. The apology was never shown and detracts from the overall effect. (Is it on the cutting room floor?) Overall, though, viewed objectively, the film is good. It is a worthwhile two hours, in the theater or at home. The big screen is not necessary to the story, but I found it well worth the price of admission to see it now, rather than having to wait. Remember, though, if you have strong religious feelings one way or the other, you may think this movie rates ♦♦♦♦♦ or is a bomb. To me, it will always rate ♦♦♦♦♦. Objectively, though, it earns ♦♦♦½. |
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6:19 PM May 20