Today I am reviewing a faith-based film with a strong message. Although many parts are family friendly, it does deal with some very mature issues. Because of this, I strongly recommend watching it yourself before watching it with your children. There are amazing parts that are great for the whole family. I would not plan on watching this with a child under the age of 13, but again, you know your own children and seeing it first would be a good way to go. Normally, I put a recommendation like this at the end, but because of some of the events, I feel it is important to put it up here.
Unconditional
Harbinger Media Partners
Cast: Lynn Collins, Michael Ealy, Kwesi Boakye, Diego Klattenhoff, Bruce McGill, Cedric Pendleton, and Gabriella Phillips
About the film (from the website):
Samantha Crawford is living a storybook life: she's happily married,
she lives on a ranch where she keeps her beloved horse, and the stories
she's told and illustrated since childhood have become published books.
When her husband Billy is killed in a senseless act of violence, Sam
loses her faith and her will to live. But a death-defying encounter with
two children leads to a reunion with Joe, her oldest friend. Inspired
by true events, UNCONDITIONAL stars Michael Ealy (Think Like A Man, Barbershop) and Lynn Collins (John Carter, X-Men Origins: Wolverine).
As Sam watches "Papa" Joe care for and love the kids in his
under-resourced neighborhood, she begins to realize that no matter
life's circumstances, God's love is always reaching out to us.
My Review:
Unconditional starts with a bit of Samantha Crawford sharing about her life. Her love story and her loss. Samantha had it all. She was living a life many would dream of with a career using her God given talents and a wonderful marriage, but all that is taken away in a senseless act of violence that takes away her husband and a very large part of herself. Her world has crashed around her, leaving Samantha empty, alone and hopeless.
The action moves swiftly in the next few moments. Samantha is consumed by pain and loss. Samantha is not reaching out, but visiting a dark place. At that moment two children enter Samantha's life when unknowingly she needs them as much as they need her. Through this, we meet Sam's old friend Joe.
The story unfolds sharing where Joe and Sam are now and where they
both have been. Joe shares stories of how Samantha has not just
impacted his life with her friendship when they were both children, but how she truly
even saved his life. As Samantha and Joe reconnect, she learns more
about the life Joe has lived in the time they have been apart. Joe openly shares how God used Joe's mistakes to reach him and open his eyes to purpose and God's love.
Unconditional is a reminder to us all that as dark as life may seem, you are not alone. God has a purpose for each up and each down. All we need to do is look for it. If we ask, we will truly see it. Sometimes it just takes a moment for us to stop thinking about where we are and instead where can we be used.
Unconditional is a powerful movie in story and in imagery. The characters are truly drawn beautifully and fully. There are times when I have seen a film that has seemed forced and manipulative. Unconditional is not one of those films. It takes time with the characters and story, allowing the viewer to fully connect in a very real way.
What I liked:
I liked that Unconditional immediately pulls you in. It was a great change from films that I have seen recently that manage to drag the viewer along for an hour before anything significant happens or the points that do happen really have no bearing on the movie whatsoever. That is not the case with Unconditional. Every plot point mattered.
Here is a great example of how quickly the film pulls you in. This afternoon, I was working on a devotional, and my husband was watching television. When he was finished, he said he was going to go into the bedroom and upload some pictures he took while we were out yesterday. I thought "GREAT! I really want to watch Unconditional! I'll put it on now." So I took the remote, put on Netflix streaming and began to watch the film. My husband was about to get up. He stopped and settled back down. He NEVER got back up. Yep...that is how quickly the movie got going and that is how good it was from the get go.
My rating: I would and did give Unconditional five out of five stars. Unconditional completely met and exceeded my expectations. I would watch it again and do plan on purchasing it. It is a movie that I would feel very comfortable sharing.
Inspired by a true story:
Papa Joe is a very real person. He works with under resourced children in Tennessee. He and his wife Denise give of themselves daily to see that these children are loved and cared for. There are many fatherless children in this world, and Papa Joe has done what he can to positively impact these young lives in a very real way. You can learn more about Papa Joe here.
I watched this film via Netflix streaming. Again, I cannot say enough about how much I appreciate that Netflix offers uplifting Christian films. Below is a little clip. Check it out.
I love that we now h ave DirectTV because it means with have the UP Channel which used to be GMC. A few weeks ago I set up the movie "The Perfect Summer" for a little weekend viewing. The weekend got away from me though. So here's a ittle review time.
The Perfect Summer
Swirl Films
Level Path Productions
Word Entertainment
Up Entertainment
Starring: Eric Roberts, Sidney Penny, Adam Horner, JD Banks, Katie Garfield and Jason Castro.
About the movie (from UP site):
In The Perfect Summer, fatherless teenager Jake (Adam Horner) was happy
living in Chicago, until his mother (Sydney Penny) decided to uproot
them to a small surfing town where her estranged father (Eric Roberts),
Jake’s grandfather, lives. The transition isn’t easy for anyone and it
seems everywhere he goes, Jake manages to make enemies, including the
town bully, Tyler (JD Banks), who doesn’t like the new interloper or his
interest in young surfing prodigy, Kayla (Katie Garfield). Stuck in the
beach town with no friends and no knowledge of surfing, Jake has
nowhere to turn until Cody (Jason Castro), the local surf shop owner,
reveals that Jake’s grandfather is a surf legend. Tired of feeling like
an outcast, Jake asks Lou to teach him about surfing. Jake learns to
face his fears, push through inhibitions and realizes that winning the
respect of his new peers – and Katie’s heart – might mean facing the
biggest challenge of his life.
My Review:
I love a good summer movie. Add a real message, and it gets even better. There are several messages touched on through various characters in the film. One of the most important is to keep trying and not quit. Jake learns this as he battles learning to surf and learning to care about making a life in his new surroundings. The story isn't all about Jake though. We also get an opportunity to see a little bit of mom and grandpa's struggles as well.
Jake has moved with his mom from Chicago to Carolina Beach. Now you might think that this would be a complete dream come true, but it is never really easy being the new kid. Add the fact that you are leaving all you know and have suffered a pretty strong loss, baby steps are needed as well as lots of understanding. Jake is not a surly teen, but he is definitely out of his element and not afraid to share that with his family. Compounding the troubles of moving to a new town is the stereotypical bully who has set his jealous sites on Jake.
Jake's mom is just trying to get back on her feet. They are making a new start with her dad, but it is still all new. She doesn't have a very strong relationship with her father. Letting go just might be difficult. Of course the task of just getting a job is at the forefront of her to-do list.
Grandpa has some time on his hand. He uses that time to volunteer at his church and eventually to teach his grandson the finer points of surfing.
What I liked: I liked the scenery. I liked that everything wasn't perfect from the get go. As a person who has done her own bit of moving, I appreciated the realness of the struggle, but also that things can be worked out with some effort. I liked that Celebrate Recovery is also featured in the film. I have friends who are part of Celebrate Recovery. It is a wonderful ministry that truly helps people with all sorts of hurts, habits and hang ups. I enjoyed the music featured in the film as well with artists I enjoy like Jason Castro, Big Daddy Weave, and Dara Maclean.
Favorite quote (from Jake's grandfather): "The man you'll be tomorrow depends on the man you choose to be today."
Rating: I would give The Perfect Summer 5 out of 5 stars for a TV movie. The casting was well done. The story was told nicely. There were definitely moments that I could really feel.
Final note: Currently I have only been able to watch The Perfect Summer on UPtv. I do hope that at some point they will release it to video. It is definitely one to watch.
Side note: I was thrilled to see Sydney Penny in a film again. I remember when she was in "The Thorn Birds" when I was a kid and a Clint Eastwood movie called "Pale Rider" WAY back in the day. She has always been a favorite of mine.
FREEBIE - Download Jason Castro's song "Good Love" which is featured in the movie by heading over to his website via this link. No idea how long that will last so head on over.
