Fireproof is a perfect example of why American Christians go in droves to see modern Christian movies. Why they prepare Bible study books based on the film. Why modern Christian films get so much hype at church. It is a triumph in modern Christian filmmaking...which is unfortunately not saying much. Like almost all Christian films, it is well intentioned. As a Christian myself, I see good possibilities in exploring cinema as a medium for evangelism and correcting societal evils. But this film will only preach to the choir.
It is well shot by modern Christian standards. There is a certain levity to the film which makes for some amusing comedic moments (the hot sauce scene). The "Love Dare" plot device is an interesting vehicle for encouraging selfless love to our spouses. But the focus here is clearly on the message, and not the medium. See Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson if you want to see a film which gets both message and medium right.
It is to be expected that churches will not have the budgets to finance professional actors. It is to be expected that churches will not have the budgets to produce a slick film (not compared to Hollywood standards, at least). But the church should be wise enough to concentrate on good scriptwriting. The film is a collection of modern evangelical church platitudes. While true that believers have the potential to have better marriages and deeper love than non-believers because of the power of God, the working out of it is complex. Near divorce situations require sound remedies that take Biblical truths and apply them to each specific couple's problem. What we get in this film are speeches by the characters that are so generic that they could apply to anybody. While that may give the viewer an inclusive feeling, it also leaves him/her without a real feeling of how the solution can be applied to them. The film is full of modern day church platitudes that are like "sound-bite" Christianity. They take the depth of Scripture and run ram-shod over it with a band-aid patching.
I do not recommend this film for non-Christians unless they are really wanting to become Christians. What this film IS good for is preventative maintenance or at least helping when the marital decay is in its formative stages. This is a feel-good, sit back and relax with a cup of coffee kind of movie to enjoy with a Christian men's group, Christian women's group, Christian couple's night, or with your Christian spouse. And if it does add strength to your marriage, then, Amen! May the Lord continue to bless you!
It is well shot by modern Christian standards. There is a certain levity to the film which makes for some amusing comedic moments (the hot sauce scene). The "Love Dare" plot device is an interesting vehicle for encouraging selfless love to our spouses. But the focus here is clearly on the message, and not the medium. See Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson if you want to see a film which gets both message and medium right.
It is to be expected that churches will not have the budgets to finance professional actors. It is to be expected that churches will not have the budgets to produce a slick film (not compared to Hollywood standards, at least). But the church should be wise enough to concentrate on good scriptwriting. The film is a collection of modern evangelical church platitudes. While true that believers have the potential to have better marriages and deeper love than non-believers because of the power of God, the working out of it is complex. Near divorce situations require sound remedies that take Biblical truths and apply them to each specific couple's problem. What we get in this film are speeches by the characters that are so generic that they could apply to anybody. While that may give the viewer an inclusive feeling, it also leaves him/her without a real feeling of how the solution can be applied to them. The film is full of modern day church platitudes that are like "sound-bite" Christianity. They take the depth of Scripture and run ram-shod over it with a band-aid patching.
I do not recommend this film for non-Christians unless they are really wanting to become Christians. What this film IS good for is preventative maintenance or at least helping when the marital decay is in its formative stages. This is a feel-good, sit back and relax with a cup of coffee kind of movie to enjoy with a Christian men's group, Christian women's group, Christian couple's night, or with your Christian spouse. And if it does add strength to your marriage, then, Amen! May the Lord continue to bless you!