Finally a decent Christian movie that doesn't push it too much.

SpiritMechanic

I am glad to say that I enjoyed this movie. 99% of most Christian movies are pretty bad. I am a Christian myself and it hurts me to say that but it's true. Anybody who likes movies and is a Christian, knows what I am talking about. It's usually embarrassing. With that being said, this movie was done very well. It had great sound, it was shot well, and the story didn't give you that 'shove' that most Christian movies give you. You know, the movies that think they MUST push the Jesus message so strongly or else it wont be understood. Of course I believe that Jesus is the only way, period, but to make Christians look sad, weak and wimpy is just too much for me to handle when watching it portrayed as so. If people really saw Jesus as He really is, they wouldn't be able to stand in His presence. Plus, He is VERY masculine, not this pretty boy image He is always being portrayed as.

Anyway, back to the review.

I must say, the movie was a little slow, but, it kept my attention through it all. It worked itself out. If your looking for a major Hollywood blockbuster, of course this isn't it, but you will not be disappointed either.

The main events that happen in the movie are very far apart, but this is how the book was written and thats the way it happened according to the book and according to the testimony of the Burpo family.

The only real thing that bothered in the movie was the lack of belief and faith the main characters had when they found out what Colton experienced when he was in the hospital. I mean, Todd Burpo, the father, was a pastor. When i saw throughout the movie how much he wavered and didn't know what to believe because it was 'irrational', it was kind of upsetting to me. But i guess thats how he really was in the beginning.

Margo Martindale, who played Nancy Rawling, a board member of the church Todd Burpo was pastoring, is probably the character that bugged me the most. She had many issues that many face today in the church, and it obvious shows in her character role.

It was a good movie overall, and believe me, i would tell you otherwise even though i am a Christian. I rate movies for what they are, not what they are expected to be according to the Hollywood standards. Go see it. you won't be disappointed.

score 7/10

SpiritMechanic 19 April 2014

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3001272/