Posted on 09/25/2008 9:40:22 AM PDT by Between the Lines
At a time when the majority of marriages end in divorce, the makers of the popular "Facing the Giants" movie are bringing to select theatres a film that has already inspired numerous couples to strengthen, and, in many cases, to rescue, their marriages.
Opening this Friday in 850 theatres across America, "Fireproof" is the inspiring story of a devoted and heroic firefighter whose marriage is on the brink of eruption, and who, in response to a challenge from his father, begrudingly sets out on a 40 day quest to salvage his relationship with his wife.
The film stars Kirk Cameron, the one time teen-star of the popular TV show "Growing Pains," who has for many years devoted himself to using his talents for wholesome projects.
The film has already been met with widespread acclaim, particularly amongst the evangelical base that forms the film's target audience. However, "Fireproof" has also been embraced many of no faith, who have responded to the movie's message about the power of selfless love and its practical, realistic portrayal of how to go about rescuing a marriage that seems beyond the point of no return.
In particular, many have commented on the movie's website that "Fireproof's" portrayal of the fragmentation of a marriage is remarkably similar to their own painful experiences and that they immediately connected with the predicament of Capt. Caleb Holt and his wife Catherine.
The film is notable for its impressive quality of filmmaking. Writing recently in The Tablet, the weekly newspaper of the diocese of Brooklyn, Fr. Robert Lauder related, "I did not feel like viewing the film because I suspected it would be a poor film, made with the best of intentions, but amateurish and overly sentimental."
But, he said, he was surprised to find that "'Fireproof' is an exceptionally good film. The story is good, the acting is good, the direction is good, the music is good and the editing is exceptionally good."
Fireproof centers around an intriguing concept: the notion that by pursuing a simple, 40 day program, in which a spouse daily puts into practice a new marriage "dare", a marriage can be completely turned around. Much like the wild success of the pro-life 40-Days-for-Life campaign, the success of the "dare" method is its emphasis on a practical, realistic and relatively short program.
Besides the film itself, the producers have set up an website with resources to help couples get their marriages back on track. Most notably, they have published the book "The Love Dare," that in the movie outlines the 40 day program by which the protagonist tries to give his marriage one last go.
In the end "Fireproof" is a story of the need for grace. Capt. Caleb Holt's attempts to recapture the heart of his wife, Catherine, are initially rebuffed. But then Holt's father tells the young man "you cannot give what you don't got" and shows him that in order to love with the selflessness that is requisite in a marriage, a relationship with Love Itself - God - is indispensable. With God's grace one learns to love, even when love is not returned. In this way Holt learns to anchor his own life in love, through prayer, which allows him to provide his wife with the love that she needed from him.
Those who are interested in the film are being encouraged to attend during its opening weekend, which could help to put "Fireproof" in even more theatres in coming weeks.
Looks like a good movie.
No thanks...I don’t support the Social Gospel and all that “porpoise drivel” junk.
My wife has already told me I will see this with her. I heard the writers on Family Life Today and it sounds good.
We’ll see it too. It’s important to support the “good” Hollywood flicks. I hope it is as good as it looks.
This is the kind of good and positive movie that conservatives long for. The more we vote for movies like this at the box office, the more we will see them.
Many Christians and conservatives are producing independent films that would never get made in Hollywood. The more we support them, the more they will be produced.
Two of my sons worked on an indy film designed to train more young filmmakers to go out and make more good movies. The film group is called Advent Film Group. The film they made is called ‘Come What May’ and has an incredible pro-life message. It is currently being shown in private premieres around the country and will be distributed later this year or next spring.
Here is their website:
http://adventfilmgroup.com/Home.html
If you can, please support Fireproof! Especially this weekend. We can make a difference.
Fireproof has nothing to do with any Purpose Driven anything. Why the author included that is beyond me.
I don't know why people keep citing this misleading statistic.
The majority of first marriages do not end in divorce. The statistics are skewed by the fact that 2nd, 3rd and subsequent marriages end in divorce at very high rates.
A 43% divorce rate for first marriages still isn't anything to brag about.
More folks would pay bucks to see “purpose driven” movies if they featured, oh, I don’t know, realistic scripts and characterizations, and top notch production values.
Well, hopefully its written better and has higher production values than most films in this genre.
Well, hopefully its written better and has higher production values than most films in this genre.
I went to the website - it looks kinda cheesy. Their heart is in the right place but it does not look that good.
There are a couple of themes in the movie: Never leave your partner behind. That’s the firefighter’s adage and the way it ought to be in marriage, especially in times of fire. Another theme is don’t follow your heart; lead your heart. If you follow your heart, it can be deceptive. - Kirk Cameron
Realistic scripts? I doubt one movie out of the top 50 this year has a realistic script.
A lot of thought has gone into the message of these types of movies. If only the filmmakers put as much thought into the production as they did the message, I think more folks would see them.
That,my FRiends, is a devoted husband.
George Strait said the same thing when he made that forgettable 'Pure Country'.
Michael Catt, the Senior Pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA, has produced and written some great Christian films. Proof that all things are possible.
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