Intense Drama
by
More and more Christian films are hitting the movie screens each year. They draw in the faith-based audiences, but the stories and better production values are also serving a wide-based audience.
Pure Flix Entertainment’s God’s Not Dead, one of the highest grossing Faith indie- films of 2014, is an example of this movement. Their newest film, Do You Believe?, is also attracting good ticket traffic. That’s probably because most people can relate to this intense drama and the way the story focuses on a journey through life-changing events.
Numerous characters here are finding their lives turning out to be not quite what they expected. Even Pastor Matthew (Ted McGinley) finds his life not so solid one night while driving down the street. He’s approached by a large man (Delroy Lindo) carrying a cross who confronts him with the question – “Do You Believe?” That caused the pastor to question his answer.
Pastors experience the same problems non-believers do, and Matthew and his wife Grace (Tracy Melchior) are finding it difficult to deal with their inability to have children. Joe (Brian Bosworth), a troubled soul, turns his head against his destiny to help out Samantha (Mira Sorvino), a young mother having a hard time providing for her daughter Lily (an incredible performance by Makenzie Moss). Older parents JD (Lee Majors) and Teri (Cybill Shepherd) are mourning their estranged daughter, but find new purpose when reaching out to Samantha and Lily. Pretty Boy (Shwayze) is part of the hood that is up to no good, but after a few different events, finds himself questioning his decisions. Playing Dr. Farrell, Sean Astin excels at creating an obnoxious character.
The acting and production are so good it’s easy to get drawn into all of these dilemmas, but it’s the way these characters end up in one huge unexpected crisis that really hits the heart.
For most Christians or non-believers, Do You Believe? does not disappoint. In fact, some people are seeing the movie more than once.
(Released by Free Style Releasing and rated “PG-13" for thematic elements, an accident sequence, and some violence.)
Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.