Monthly arts and media column

If you watched the Oscars in February, you will not have seen a pro-religion film given any recognition. You have to go to the Faith and Value Awards ceremony for that.

The winner of the 2008 Most Inspiring Film award this year went to a Christian film called Fireproof. The tagline reads ‘Never leave your partner behind’ and the story concerns the marriage of a firefighter, Caleb, whose bravery and courage in his job doesn’t extend to extinguishing the disaster raging in his own home. Until, that is, his father challenges him to commit to ‘The Love Dare’, a 40-day plan designed to help struggling couples restore their relationships.

Combating divorce

The film was made by Sherwood Pictures, a company working out of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, and run by brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick. Their first two films Flywheel and Facing the Giants were popular in the Christian media, but Fireproof is the first film that has gone into cinemas rather than straight to DVD. When considering what sort of script to develop after Facing the Giants, they prayed for an outcome that would have an impact on their wider culture, rather than just Christians. They picked marriage, not only because of the baseline 50% divorce rate, but also because, across the US, firefighters, police and other first responder services have up to 90% divorce rates.

The film opened in the States in late September 2008 and was the fourth highest grossing film that weekend with box office takings of $6.5 million. The takings went beyond $20 million over the following month and ongoing DVD sales will continue to bolster this figure, an impressive one for a $500,000 budget.

The only non-volunteers in the production were the film crew and the lead characters, Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea, which meant that the film’s production values and the main acting roles were frankly much better than Sherwood Pictures had enjoyed previously. Kirk Cameron, who plays Caleb, is a well-known actor who has starred in the popular secular series Growing Pains and is known to be Christian. He attracted both praise and scorn for his desire to be beyond reproach to the degree that he asked that his real wife be made up as a double for the kissing scene at the end.

Clear intentions

This is not the film for starting discussions about whether or not Christian art should be didactic. Sherwood Pictures committed themselves to making a faith film that was transparent in its intentions, and critics who complain that it lacks subtlety were never going to like this sledgehammer anyway. It is evangelical in purpose, explaining the gospel directly, particularly when Caleb’s father explains why he and Caleb’s mother have recently become Christians, and through metaphor, in the pretty tense rescue scenes that the firefighters are involved in.

‘The Love Dare’ is a Bible-based scheme that teaches sacrifice as the route to understanding what true love really is. Caleb himself says that his heart is not in it until he understands Christ’s loving sacrifice for him (and becomes a Christian) and when his wife finally comes round, she makes it very clear that she wants what he’s found and joins him in faith.

Heart-warming

For Christians, it is a hugely heart-warming affirmation of the values and beliefs that we share. It reassures that the most difficult situations in life may not be avoided but can be weathered with faith in Christ. Churches in the States have used it for marriage counselling and The Love Dare has become a bestseller. It will have a very positive impact in lots of marriages as couples take up the theme of loving self-sacrifice. Kirk Cameron plays Caleb as a very believable non-Christian with realistically negative reactions to what his Christian father has to say.

Brit awards?

However, the more critical viewer, particularly Mr. and Mrs. Brit, may react scornfully to a film which definitely has imperfections, particularly in the rest of the acting and in the script. They may throw the gospel out as naff because of cringy moments and wooden characters. Inevitably, the Kendricks’ film is couched in their culture — a culture that may be very different to that of the friends who you think should see it. Christians obviously need to watch the film themselves first before using it in ministry, perhaps even trialing it with a group of friends who know the culture of those you are trying to reach. Whatever you decide to do with this film, don’t rely on it alone to present the gospel and set it in context before showing it to anyone. Read reviews online and watch trailers and clips on YouTube to get a feel for it. Its intentions are excellent and it may be that the resources available at www.fireproofmymarriage.com are the best way into the film.

Alex Kendrick is a man of enthusiasm who is unashamed of his film’s intentions: ‘Calls, letters and emails are pouring into Sherwood Pictures to tell us how Fireproof has inspired them to pursue covenant in their own marriages. We know we have a lot of growing to do as filmmakers, but we will always look for the “God” idea that inspires and motivates people’.

Taking the love dare

Combating divorce

Clear intentions

Heart-warming

Brit awards?

Eleanor Margesson

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