Have a Little Faith

There was a time when made-for-TV movies dominated network television. Those days are long gone. No more first time directors like Steven Steinberg cutting his teeth on such innovative projects like Duel. But we can find one exception that still shines bright on network television. The Hallmark Hall of Fame has been a staple on network television since the 1950s. They continue to set the standard for excellence and quality in television programming.

They brought us such classics as The Magic of Ordinary Days, Dance with the White Dog, and Back When We Were Grownups. Joining that list is the recent broadcast of Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith. Thanks to a recent new agreement with NBC Television, Hallmark Hall of Fame can be seen not only on broadcast television but also on the Hallmark Channel. Have a Little Faith is the true story of Mitch Albom, a successful author and newspaper sports reporter from Detroit, Michigan.

Albom’s book, Have a Little Faith, has been used by both religious and nonreligious organizations as a discussion about faith, charity, interfaith dialogue, and community service projects. Hallmark decided it would make a perfect film for this year’s Christmas Hall of Fame presentation. In some ways, it was a surprising move because this is not the type of material Hallmark normally deals with.

The story revolves around Mitch Albom’s journey to reconnect with his Jewish heritage and faith. Albom is played by Bradley Whitford and is approached by his childhood Rabi, Albert Lewis (Martin Landau) at a book signing. His old Rabi asked Mitch to write and deliver his eulogy. It seems an odd request considering the fact that Mitch seems to be indifferent to faith. After some hesitation, he agrees to the request on the condition that he can do a series of interviews to better understand and get to know Rabi Lewis. The only problem is Rabi Lewis isn’t in any hurry to die. As time goes on, Mitch seems to be more open to the concept of God and His plan.

In a parallel story, we meet Henry Covington (Lawrence Fishburne), a street hustler and drug dealer. His life has been anything but a fairy tale. After a stint in prison, Henry moves into the big time. After using up all of his boss’s drugs, Henry’s life is in jeopardy. Fearing for his life, he makes a deal with God that if he survives the night he will do whatever God wants.

Henry makes good and becomes a pastor in Detroit’s inner city. His church, I Am My Brother’s Keeper, helps those at the lowest rungs of society—the homeless, drug dealers, drug addicts and ex-cons. The only problem is the church has no heat and a huge hole in the roof.

Mitch sees the homeless lining up and is struck by the sign, I Am My Brother’s Keeper. Mitch enters into the most unlikely relationship with Henry, which leads to self-discovery for both men. As all of this is happening, Mitch continues to grow in his newfound faith as he prepares for the eventual eulogy.

As I said, this is not the usual material Hallmark features. Have a Little Faith is gritty and offers a more realistic view of life than Hallmark normally portrays. The film is essentially a study of faith. In essence, it’s about how faith can change the world.

It seems that Rabi Lewis had something up his sleeve when he chose Mitch. How do you move from a place of no faith to a place where it is impossible to live without faith? I’m struck by the overall theme of this film of how different people from different places living different lives can reach the same conclusion that a life without faith is meaningless. If we truly are our brother’s keeper, we must have the faith, conviction, and belief that we can make a difference in this world.

Have a Little Faith makes an excellent point that God does have a plan—if only we have the faith to believe. Have a Little Faith is acted beautifully by all parties, especially Martin Landau as Rabi Lewis. Hallmark does an excellent job finding talented artists who aren’t just looking for a paycheck but are looking for something they can put their hearts and souls into. The commitment to excellence is refreshing, and you will be inspired by the movie.

Publishers Weekly calls Albom’s book a masterpiece of hope. Oprah.com says it is the best nonfiction book of 2009. If you missed the movie, you can see it on dvd. Go to hallmark.com for details.

Pre-Release Benefit Screening of LOS TRAFICANTES

See a special advance preview screening of our feature film Los Traficantes and help support the cause of our non-profit film that is bringing hope in the midst of horrific violence and despair among the Mexican drug wars. This feature film is based on the true story of a former Mexican drug lord who found redemption in Christ while serving a 33 year sentence in one of the most corrupt and violent prisons in Mexico and then became a pastor leading thousands to freedom from drug addiction and their former lives of crime, death, and destruction. Visit http://vimeo.com/22426346 to watch a behind the scenes promo. IMDB page: www.imdb.com/title/tt1844728/.

Time Friday, November 18 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm
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Location Vineyard Community Church
11340 Century Circle East - Vineyard Resource Center (banquet room)
Cincinnati, OH

I Can Do Bad All by Myself

Who do you think is the hardest working person in show business today? That individual would be Tyler Perry. Somehow I doubt that he was top on your list. According to Forbes Magazine, he was recently named entertainment’s top money maker, earning over $130 million last year. He’s involved in everything from plays, movies, and television series. But, amazingly, outside of the African American community, he is relatively unknown.

Tyler Perry’s movies have interested me for years. He has a remarkable ability to mix drama and comedy, along with a heavy dose of faith. He displays the entire human condition, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Nowhere is that better displayed t in one of his recent films, I Can Do Bad All by Myself. Billed as a romantic musical comedy/drama, Perry writes, directs, and produces the film. He also plays his signature roles in the movie, Madea and Joe.

Considering the man is multi-talented, no wonder he is show business’ top earner. Let me say this before we get started. You either love or hate Tyler Perry’s work. There is no middle ground. I’ve come to love what he does. He is bold in his willingness to express faith, belief, and Christianity in his films. He never forces the content. It always works organically and naturally. It’s just part of life.

Perry has many critics who have criticized his portrayal of the African American community. But Perry contradicts this view by stating that he only portrays what he saw growing up. All of his characters are based on real people. Maybe that’s why his movies are so effective. We’re all a little different and sometimes weird, and we can relate to that. And that’s certainly true of his characters Madea and Joe.

Getting back to I Can Do Bad All by Myself, the film stars Taraji P. Henson in her first starring role as April. She is an alcoholic, night club performer who is totally self-absorbed. April in an abusive relationship with a married man. Her niece, Jennifer, and her nephews Manny and Bryan, have broken into the home of Madea and Joe. The kids have been on their own for several days and offer up a sad story. They live with their grandmother, who is nowhere to be found. Madea shows up on April’s doorstep with the kids in tow. She decides not to press charges if April will take responsibility for the kids’ actions. But April doesn’t want to be bothered and has no interest in helping the kids.

Complicating matters is Brian, a local pastor (played by Marvin Wynans), who gets involved when he discovers the kids’ grandmother is missing. He sends over Sandino, played by Adam Rodriguez, to help April repair her home and keep an eye on the kids, while they look for their grandmother. From this point on, events spiral out of control. Will April get her life together? What happened to the grandmother? Will the kids need a more capable caretaker? Is there a romantic interest between Sandino and April? Where does the shady boyfriend fit in? Needless to say there are some strong themes in this film.

Also, Tyler Perry is not afraid to offer up a heavy dose of preaching. But it never feels over the top. The message comes in the form of some outstanding musical sequences from Wilma (played by Gladys Knight), who performs The Need to Be, and from Tanya (played by Mary J. Blige) who performs the movies signature song, I Can Do Bad All by Myself. It’s fair to say that the central theme of this film could be summed up as how can I love when I don’t love myself.

Perhaps, one of the best scenes in the movie is when Jennifer (played by Hope Olaide Wilson) asks Madea how to pray. Mades’s heart might be in the right place; however, she is short on her knowledge of Bible stories. What results is comedic genius. Perry knows how to have fun in his movies while, at the same time, offering a serious message. As I said, he pulls this off time after time in his movies. His audiences have come to expect this and eat it up. Sure, I Can Do Bad All by Myself might feel a bit contrived here and there; however, I feel the characters are genuine and interesting. You want to root for April. You have the sense that she is on a journey to discover the true meaning of life.

In the end, I Can Do Bad All by Myself is an entertaining, inspiring, uplifting, and redemptive film.

Get Low

Get Low is the type of movie that Hollywood has forgotten how to make. Producer Dean Zanuck spent the better part of eight years knocking on every door in Hollywood. He said he was turned down by every major studio at least three times. Period American pieces for adult audiences featuring primarily older actors are a tough sell. But, because of his persistence, Zanuck found the funding and the means to make this film a reality. Zanuck has made an outstanding and authentic American film. This is what filmmaking should be about.

Get Low is based on a true story which occurred during the depression in the 1930s. Felix (Bush) Breazeale, a backwoods Tennessee recluse, had a funeral party before his death. It was a national sensation featured in Life Magazine, and over 10,000 people came to the funeral party.

Get Low is a poetic story which combines elements of comedy, tragedy and drama. The film was directed by first-time director Aaron Schnider, who also wrote the screenplay. Schnider is known as a cinematographer, and it shows on every frame in this film. Get Low is beautifully photographed and exudes Southern atmosphere.

Of course the acting is nothing short of brilliant. America’s greatest character actor, Robert Duvall, plays the hermit, Felix Bush. Bush decides it is time to get low so he heads to town looking to plan his own funeral before he dies. The catch is he wants to be there in attendance so he can hear others telling stories about what they’ve heard about him. Bush apparently has a rather clouded past and is a rather eccentric character. Is he a harmless old man or a threat?

Frank Quinn is portrayed by Bill Murray, who is the local undertaker in need of business. Apparently no one in town has been dying. Quinn is more than willing to help Bush out, especially when he sees a huge wad of cash. Quinn’s assistant, Buddy Robinson portrayed by Lucas Black, is more interested in the reason why someone would want to do this in the first place. He seeks answers. Why would Bush choose a life of solitude away from the world for over 40 years?

Adding to the mystery is Bush’s old flame, the widow, Mattie Darrow, portrayed by Sissy Spacek. Apparently, she knew Bush before his days of solitude. The one man who can unravel the mystery is the Reverend Charley Jackson (Bill Cobbs). He knows the truth and the history behind the events that changed Bush’s life.

The question is does Bush really want to hear what people have to say about him or does he have another motive? To increase the excitement and interest of the funeral party, Bush will give up his prime virgin land at his death, in a lottery in which each participant will put up five bucks to enter.

Get Low is so much more than a movie about a tough old man who is trying to come to terms with his own mortality. This is a spiritual film, a quest to reveal dark secrets and to seek release from past sins and guilt. At its heart are redemption and reconciliation. Sometimes we just don’t feel that we have the right to seek forgiveness so we make our own prison. These are the complex issues that fuel Get Low.

Robert Duvall has always had a special place in his heart for films like Get Low. In fact, you can say it’s his trademark. He has a deep respect for rural people and traditional values. You can see it in his past body of work, such as The Apostle, Secondhand Lions, and Lonesome Dove.

One actor that I hope more people recognize is Bill Cobbs. He’s been in the business for over 35 years but often doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves. Get Low debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival and was acquired by Sony Classics. It grossed over $9 million at the box office. Obviously, there is an audience for films like Get Low. If you are looking for a film from the heart that’s truthful about life and the need for forgiveness and God’s redemptive power, then I wholeheartedly recommend Get Low.

Look for it on DVD. It is currently available and not too hard to find.

Chariots of Fire

This month, we are screening the 1981 film Chariots of Fires at Friday Night Flicks. It had occurred to me that I have never written an official review of this film. I consider Chariots of Fire to be one of the best films from the 1980s. It certainly is the best example of how a faith message can be incorporated into a mainstream film. In fact, if you want to see a portrayal of a Christian who reflects the nature and character of Christ, you will find no better example than the character of Eric Liddell.


From the opening scene, Chariots of Fire invokes deep emotions that have captivated audiences for over 30 years. It certainly captivates me as we watch the British national track and field team training for the upcoming 1924 Olympics to be held in Paris, France. The scene evokes the sense of optimism, hope and victory as each team member is running on the beach in unison.

They are all running for different reasons—God, country, King, national pride. The question is “in what order”. The heart of the story is about two very different people. Harold Abrams (Ben Cross) is an English Jew who is looking to overcome prejudice and find acceptance in the English hierarchy. He enrolls in Cambridge University and sees running as a way to achieve his goals. Eric Liddell, a Scotsman, (Ian Charleson) is the son of missionaries to China. He is a man of conviction and states “I believe that God made me for a purpose. But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure.” Liddell believes running will give him the opportunity to bring glory to God and an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel. Both men are on a collision course as they train and prepare for the Olympics. It’s clear that their motives, reasons and methods are radically different. But their destinies are linked.

Chariots of Fire is based on a true story. The part of the story that shocked the world was Eric Liddell’s refusal to run in the 100 meter heat because the event fell on the Sabbath. He faced enormous pressure from his country, including the Prince of Wales and future King of England. His refusal set off a firestorm of criticism. Is God first or is your country first? Is national pride more important than your integrity and beliefs.

The questions that Chariots of Fire pose are just as relevant and timeless today. What defines Eric Liddell is an important question. He is not being self-centered nor is he arrogant in his faith. I believe the movie does an excellent job depicting the character as a man who is defined by his faith. If you separate his beliefs and integrity from who he is, he would not have the strength or the will to win the race.

Harold Abrams, the son of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania, is also fighting his own battles. He faces enormous odds in discovering his identity and purpose. Abrams is trying to run his race. But what is the source of his power. Liddell asks the question, where does the power come from to see the race to the end. It is the central question of Chariots of Fire. Two very different men. Two very different belief systems. Each will have to find the source of that power in order to fulfill their destinies.

I find it hard to believe that a movie that depicts such powerful and compelling Judeo Christian beliefs could ever have been produced, yet alone win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Chariots of Fire was a surprise winner at the 1981 Academy Awards beating out films such as Reds, On Golden Pond and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Over the years, the film has received a fair amount of criticism for being the worst film receiving the Academy Award for Best Picture. But this small, low-budget British film is worthy of all of it’s critical acclaim. I just don’t see the critic’s beef. You have to wonder if they just don’t like the movie’s central theme and message.

Bottom line. if you haven’t seen this film or if you’ve seen it multiple times, Chariots of Fire will inspire you and provide a perspective and insight on how you can see your race to the end.

Main Characters

Eric Liddell

Ben Cross

Lord Andrew Lindsay

Jenny Liddell

Themes

Faith

Acceptance

Testing

Pride

Purpose

Scriptures

I Samuel 2:30

Isaiah 40:31

I Corinthians 9:24-25

II Timothy 4:7

Awards

1981 Academy Award for Best Picture

Discussion Questions

1.      How are Eric Liddell’s and Harold Abrams’ motives, reasons, and methods different from each other?

2.      How do we run the straight race and see the run to the end?

3.      How does Eric Liddell present a balanced view of Christianity?

4.      Where does the power come from to run the straight race?

5.      How does Chariots of Fire deal with class hierarchy?

6.      How do we deal with enormous pressure to compromise our core beliefs?

7.      What is your favorite scene in the movie and why?

8.      What are the questions Jenny raises about Eric’s commitment to his faith?

9.      Why does Harold Abrams feel persecuted?

10.      How does Eric Liddell bring glory to God?

11.      Are we made for a purpose?

12.      What emotions does Chariots of Fire evoke?

13.      Can we serve national pride and God at the same time?

14.      What values does Chariots of Fire teach us?

15.      How does this film define success as well as winning?