By Wedded Bliss Guest Author | Leave A Comment
This was a great movie, and it was also a terrible movie. Let me explain.
Kirk Cameron plays a fireman in a failing marriage, who works to find the real meaning of commitment through his faith in God. As someone who enjoys good family entertainment and messages that leave a lasting impression, I appreciated this film. I think it is an excellent subject to bring attention to, and much needed in our culture today.
This is definitely a Christian film with a strong religious message. Someone likely to be offended by that would not like this movie. However, the points made were good ones. Cameron is quoted as saying, “This is a movie that gives people hope and inspires them that they can save their marriages—that love, in the end, won’t fail, if you pour your heart and your time and your energy into the things that really matter.” Seems to me that anyone, no matter what your religious views may be, can agree with that. The bottom line is that a marriage has to be created, every day, in order to survive and thrive, and the message rings true.
However, would I recommend this movie to a friend? No way. I just couldn’t. The After-School-Special flavor is strong here. Kirk Cameron was decent, but much of the other acting was either over the top and painfully corny, or dull and lifeless. We cringed numerous times. The plot was slow and the writing predictable.
The previews made it look similar to “Back Draft”, fast-paced and full of drama, but there are only two high-action scenes, and they never actually fight a fire. The majority of the screen time is filled with over-acted and trite dialog. It reminded me more of something you’d see on Lifetime than on the big screen.
Their hearts were in the right place in making this film, with the message that things aren’t always easy, but marriage is worth fighting for. I really wanted it to be good. It just wasn’t. Even with the obvious low budget it could have been better written, cast and acted, for a far better impact.
I’d say it may be worth seeing–but wait for it to show up at Blockbuster.
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Respectfully, I must disagree! I went to see this on Wednesday with my husband, and I felt like the acting was strong. I am disappointed that you would compare it with a Godless Hollywood trifle filled with nudity and language like Backdarft. I am actually pretty happy that Fireproof was nothing like Backdraft. Does an actor’s skill somehow improve when they are nude, are swilling liquor, or taking our Lord’s name in vain? I was actually amazed and impressed with the intensity of many if not most scenes in the movie. Yes, perhaps some parts were predictable. But unlike your every day romance, you cannot leave the movie thinking, “Wow, that would be nice if it were possible.” The difference here is that the transformation their marriage and own personal souls underwent during the movie is absolutely possible with the Grace of God. I plan to see this again and recommend it to any married couple I know.
Also, I firmly believe we should support any film maker’s who want to hold up the family, the Lord, and biblical values in our declining society. Hopefully the finer details of the art of film making will follow, but if the important themes are strong, that is all that should matter. To be fair, this is one of the best attempts I have ever seen. And I hope to see more like this at the local theater in times to come.
I believe you misunderstood her Backdraft reference. The reviewer said that based on the movie trailer, she expected the movie to be more like Backdraft in terms of action and dramasequences. It’s not an unlikely assumption to think that a movie about a fireman would contain scenes of firefighting.
I did not misunderstand, and there was actual fire fighting. There was a huge scene where the firefighters battled a home fire and the main character saved a little girl by axing his way into the basement and kicking out the window to get her out, at great risk to his own life. I actually wondered if she watched the entire movie when she said there was no fire fighting. It actually made a lot more sense that in the small town setting, they helped car wreck victims. I live in a pretty big city, and we don’t have that many fires, but the fire dept works on many car wrecks and paramedic type situations. So in that way I believe the film was more accurate than Backdraft.
And I must respectfully agree. I’m so tired of seeing these types of films, quite frankly. Sure, the message is good, I don’t disagree with that. But it leaves a lot to be desired! How well do we communicate such a message with the world when the medium is so lacking?
God is the creator God … He has given us so much! We are not only created begins, we are CREATIVE beings! Why can we not make a film that is well-written, well-cast and well-acted??
I have seen much good art, read many good books, listened to much good music produced by believers with a desire to glorify God. Unfortunately the films made have left a lot to be desired. I think you are correct in describing this as having a strong an after-school special flavor or something we might see in a Lifetime movie. Unfortunately.
And I must say that I am tired of being vilified for not liking something because it’s “Christian” …. if it’s not well-made, then it’s not well-made. Or if it doesn’t appeal to me, then it just doesn’t. I appreciate you sticking your neck out on this one and speaking your heart. I do hope, however, that the newfound success of these types of films lures more real and raw talent into the field and into this genre in particular.
Blessings!
~Heather
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, everyone!
Malia, you are right in saying that based on the movie trailer I expected it to be more like Backdraft in terms of action and drama sequences.
Jennie – I appreciate your opinion. The GREAT thing about this movie getting so much attention is that it may open the door for more of Hollywood’s money to go to films with more wholesome messages. Also – you are right – my husband read the review and told me that I missed the firefighting when I was out of the theater for 15 minutes on the phone with the babysitter!
Heather – You said it so well, “tired of being vilified for not liking something because it’s “Christian” …. if it’s not well-made, then it’s not well-made.” I completely agree in hoping that this attention and success will draw more resources to this genre. Thanks!
The website communicates quite clearly what you are going to see when you choose to purchase tickets for this movie. Also, if you researched the movie like you researched for your blog, you would discover the very low budget they worked with to make the movie (many of the actors were volunteer). I find it very hard to believe that you thought you were going to get cinematic genius here. You don’t go to this kind of movie expecting that. What people should do is view it with a open heart and look for the message to speak to them in some way. I saw it with my husband and we both received a blessing.
I just got back from watching Fireproof… the over all message was solid for sure; it’s great that such a different-flavored movie made it into the regular, big screen.
Hey now, TJ. No need to be nasty. I did all that research, and wrote my viewpoint on the film. You have the right to yours too. Peace.
Patrick – I completely agree on both counts.