Despite violence, Christian fatherhood drama is uplifting.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
A few tense and disturbing sequences, from the opening scene in which Nathan follows his car-jacked truck in order to rescue his baby, to a long chase on foot between the cops and a couple of suspects that ends in a fist fight. A teenage boy is repeatedly beaten during a gang initiation. A cop uses a Taser to subdue someone. In a climactic cops vs. gang members scene, a criminal grabs a young girl as a hostage. A child is heartbreakingly killed (off camera) in an accident.
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A police officer is shown stealing drugs (white powder) that are supposed to be entered into evidence. Gang members discuss an upcoming drug deal, and one tries to get rid of his stash.
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Married couples embrace; a girl is asked out by an interested guy. A man explains that his father had children with six different women; another reveals that, during a one-night stand in college, he fathered a child he's never met.
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There are many family-centered positive messages about the importance of being a "present" father who doesn't just go through the motions but really takes his job as a father seriously. Javier puts his morals and his family first, even if it could cost him a job. In the aftermath of tragedy, Adam dedicates himself to becoming a better father. David decides to accept responsibility for the child he never met.
Positive Role Models
some
Adam, Javier, and Nathan are admirable men who believe that their role as fathers is sacred. Javier is hardworking, honest, and a committed family man. Almost all of the criminals depicted in the movie are African American.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this movie, which was produced by the same Protestant church that made Fireproof, is equal parts message movie and Evangelical ministry tool. Consequently, the story focuses on themes about conversion to Christianity and being a good, godly father. There's no language or sex, but there's more violence/peril than in similar films -- the cop protagonists engage in chases and skirmishes with suspects that end in fight fights and, in one case, a child being temporarily taken hostage at gunpoint. Tragedy strikes the central family, and one cop's baby is nearly kidnapped when his truck is car jacked. Because of the grown-up themes that focus on the nature of fatherhood and following God's path as a parent, this isn't a movie that will appeal to kids; it's aimed at the men, particularly dads, in the audience. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
As a man of faith, currently, 22 years of age, I am at a stage in my where I have to start transitioning from a boy to a man, and really start thinking about potentially being a husband or father. This film depicts truths of life, and the truth is that hardship is inevitable, life is not a breeze, but the question is how as a man you react to that. The main character Adam falls into hardship when a tragic accident hits his family, as expected, there's a period of struggle, and grieving, but Adam searched for a remedy to his pain and found it within the Bible. Motivated and inspired, Adam wanted to share his newfound experience with God with his group of officers and create an oath that as a father and husband, they will uphold each member of their family and protect them at all costs. It was a beautiful moment to see men turn to God for strength to become better fathers and husbands. In a society that is desperately in need of strong fathers and husbands this film, absolutely depicts that. Despite the difference in denominations, the underlying message is universal, turn to God, and find strength in Him, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" ( Philippians 4:13). In particular to the heads of the domestic churches, the heads of the family, the father. Through this film, more awareness and better attitudes of fatherhood can result in it.
I thought the credit messenger gave a bad review.This is one movie everyone should see especially for fathers! You will be so happy that you saw this movie! This movie was so inspiring for everyone even bad credit messenger. I watch this over and over. Great for teen girls also who contemplate premarital affairs, great if you lossed a child this might help your grieving. Excellent movie!
What's the Story?
Adam (Alex Kendrick) is a police officer in a small Georgia town. When Nathan (Ken Bevel) transfers to the squad from a bigger city, the two of them and their partners, Shane (Kevin Downes) and David (Ben Davies), form an easy friendship centered around work and socializing with their families. After a tragic accident strikes Adam's family, he's at first distraught; but then he decides to study the Bible for enlightenment about what it takes to a righteous father. After weeks of research and prayer, Adam creates a special contract that he plans to sign to as a sacred oath. His friends agree to join him -- even David, who isn't a Christian at the start of the movie. Just as the four men are settling into their renewed roles as godly fathers, one of them compromises himself -- and forces his colleagues to decide whether to cover for him or keep him accountable to their shared oath.
In some ways, this is the best film produced to date by Kendrick and the other filmmakers at Sherwood Baptist Church. The production values are good, a couple of the actors -- particularly Bevel and Davies -- seem like pros, and they're obviously using their profits from Fireproof to up the ante here. But for secular audiences or those who don't already believe in the Evangelical idea of what constitutes a good Christian family, the movie could be off-putting once the focus shifts to Adam's mission in the second half.
It's not that the plot isn't touching or the message inspiring -- every man should aspire to be a wonderful, loving father who puts his children first, even when it's not convenient. But so much of the film feels like an invitation not just to church but to a very specific kind of Christianity that it's hard not to feel preached to, even though there are some genuinely poignant moments. Ultimately the appeal here is for those who already believe, in which case the movie is a call to action and reaffirmation to be the ideal Christian father.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes a good father. What does this movie teach about the meaning of fatherhood? Does that match your own experience?
Do you have to be a Christian to understand or appreciate what this movie is saying about fatherhood and life in general?
Do you think the violent/tense scenes were necessary to the story? Why or why not?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
