My Entire Family Was Stunned At the Quality of This Movie
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SEP
27
2008
FIREPROOF —
I rarely go to the theater. In fact, it has to be a REALLY good looking movie to drag me to want to spend anything to go see it these days. I used to see movies all of the time, but grew bored of the same old thing- watching DVDs is usually just as good if I am interested when they come out.I first saw the movie FLYWHEEL on TV a few years ago. At the beginning of the movie, it looked really hokey so I thought I would change the channel.....in a minute. That minute turned into 10 minutes and I ended up completely glued to the screen laughing, crying and enjoying this movie extremely. My family loved the movie so much we bought the DVD.
I knew nothing about the movie, until the movie FACING THE GIANTS came out last year. The same man was in the movie that was in FLYWHEEL so I paid attention. It was then that I learned that these movies were an amazing phenomenon. A little group of people in a church down in Georgia felt that they were *called* to make high quality unique family films that would uplift and entertain at a professional level. The only time I have ever seen half of the theater audience jump out of their seats yelling (including my very reserved husband) has been at FACING THE GIANTS.
Well, let me tell you, their first two movies were amazing- for an all volunteer cast.
The third movie brought out by Sherwood pictures, led by the Kendrick brothers came out yesterday in theaters. The movie is called FIREPROOF. I absolutely adore Alex Kendrick's performances in his previous two movies, as he has a most unique screen presence, so I was disappointed when I saw Kirk Cameron was playing the lead in FIREPROOF.
WHAT IS FIREPROOF LIKE?
I have never enjoyed Kirk Cameron (sorry, if you are a big fan). I always felt like his performances were wooden and almost vacant any time I have seen him perform. I have never felt like he was really ACTING, but like he was just - I don't know- just there, I guess.
FIREPROOF stars Kirk Cameron as a firefighter named Caleb who is married to Catherine played by Erin Bethea. Caleb is very self oriented and behaves in a most frustrating way that most women can relate to who have ever been frustrated with the men in their lives.
Catherine is a career woman who is very frustrated with her husband, but leaves him clueless as to why she is suddenly pushing him away and eventually coldly demanding a divorce. Self centered Caleb blames Catherine, and Catherine blames Caleb- the ensuing battle is VERY realistic and insightful.
I sat here wondering how to give an account of FIREPROOF this morning, because the entire premise sounds very boring - if I had not been so crazy about the Kendrick brothers' previous productions, I might have been tempted to avoid this one.
However, this movie is SO much more than meets the eye.
HIGHLIGHTS OF FIREPROOF
I took my 23 year old son, and 9 year old daughter to go see FIREPROOF. The theater was about 1/3 full with many couples from young to old and some other moms with children. FIREPROOF had many intense scenes where everyone was gasping.
There were also many very funny scenes in it where the entire theater was laughing their heads off. There were some scenes so deeply moving that everyone was crying- yes, even some of the men. I have never seen such audience involvement in a movie in the theaters until the Sherwood pictures started coming out. It is rare enough to get men and women to enjoy the same movie, but to get them to collectively react together, is a feat that is not seen much in movies these days, that is for sure.
COMMENTS
I don't want to ruin the movie by telling too much of it, but I can say this. There are scenes in this movie that will leave you in the edge of your seat.
There are scenes in this movie that are absolutely hilarious and even charming at some points.
Most remarkably, this movie was entirely done by UNPAID ACTORS. The only professional actor in this movie is Kirk Cameron and I am almost positive that he was not paid either, from the interviews I saw on it.
Speaking of Kirk Cameron- as I said earlier, when I heard that he was going to play the lead in FIREPROOF I almost did not want to see it, as I really get turned off by his acting- or lack of it. However, in FIREPROOF, what I saw from Kirk Cameron was so far beyond anything I have ever seen of him that my mouth was open much of the time in shock.
There is a scene where he is yelling at his wife that left me feeling like he was yelling at ME! As my son said, he had a hard time remembering that this was Kirk Cameron many times at the beginning of the movie, his acting in this movie was so intense. There is a passion in this part he played that I have never seen from him before.
Now, if you are a Kirk Cameron fan, you will not be disappointed. He looks amazing, and I am sure fans of his will swoon more than ever.
Despite this being an entirely volunteer cast, the acting was excellent. Everyone we talked to after the movie (we always interview people to get opinions on what they think of movies) said that they felt very involved in the movie. I know people that act just like some of the characters in the movie.
Another interesting feature of this film is the seamless interacial mixture of characters in this film. There is an absence of manipulation in this aspect. It is delightful to watch people from different cultures having a truly fun time together- with seemingly no effort. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves in this movie- it is such a pleasure to watch.
What surprised me was the men's responses in the theater audience. All that we talked to said that they cried (reluctantly if their wives pointed it out in most cases) and that they thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
The men and women both got tons out of it, which again, I found interesting, since usually movies are classified as either *chick flicks* or *guy films*.
This one seemed to have reached both equally from all of those we talked to.
WHO WOULD LIKE THIS MOVIE FIREPROOF?
If you have ever been or plan to be in a relationship with a spouse, I would highly recommend this movie.
If you are a man who struggles with pornography- you might want to check out this film. Although the focus is not on this, the subdued way in which it is dealt with will give some insight and perspective you might not get otherwise.
If you have parents that fight, FIREPROOF gives deep insight into the inner workings of the relationship.
If you like clean humor and intense movies without worrying that you will be offended by language or adult scenes, FIREPROOF is an excellent choice.
If you don't like a lot of what has been coming out in movies - FIREPROOF is worth checking out.
The only people I can see not liking FIREPROOF are those who freak out at any mention of Jesus Christ or God which sends them into a 6 hour diatribe of the evils of right wing fundamentalists- they might be too distracted composing their rant to enjoy the entertainment value of the movie. So if you are a person like that, at least you know what to expect.
The Christian aspect of this movie seems to be handled pretty well- I don't like movies that are preachy or almost assaulting with their message. FIREPROOF was handled well compared to many others I have seen which turned me off.
UPDATE- AFTER SECOND VIEWING
Well, I went to this movie again the following day, and was amazed that the theater was packed! The movie was just as good the second time,but of course, I had to shut up and not let my husband know what was coming next. I also had to suffer my way through a few scenes of bad eye makeup for a 2nd time (being a makeup artist has its downfalls).
I saw some more that I wanted to share with you- out of an entire theater of men and women as well as kids, the men were the most deeply moved. This is a new thing with movies than I have seen before. The women loved it, but the men were most deeply moved. ALL ACROSS THE BOARD. It was very fascinating to me. This is not a typical *guy* movie. There seems to be something in this movie which satisfies the men who wish they had a father walk them through the hard times in their lives- those who really needed their father who was not there for them.
In the bathroom, we women all stood staring straight ahead as usual, until one brave woman said " Did any of you see FIREPROOF?" Then all of us started talking all at once like the opening of a dam of water!
On both occasions, a large group of people stood outside the theater talking (the actual viewing room!) and stayed for half an hour. This second time about 50 people stood there talking.
I also was fascinated to hear from some people that said there was only one camera used in this entire movie. I find that hard to believe, but in light of the all volunteer cast- I guess I should not be surprised.
I can say one thing- this movie is a new phenomenon in entertainment. Grassroots people making positive messages into movies that bring us back to the old days of excitement to go to the theater and watch a movie as a collective group instead of staring straight ahead like emotionless robots only to leave and then go back again to repeat the actions.
The only time I see my husband arise from his seat in the theater and either jump in the air or yell at the characters is in the Kendrick Brothers' movies. Otherwise, he sits there so solemn that I often wonder if he is sleeping or if he just is not into the movie. That in itself is amazing to me!
Last edited on Sep 28, 2008
FIREPROOF is recommended by Caprig
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