Fireproof (PG, 2008)

common sense media says

Christian-themed marriage drama won't grab kids.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that a powerful grassroots marketing campaign has helped turn this Christian-themed indie drama about a fireman with a troubled marriage into a hit. While the content is age-appropriate for older tweens and up, the marriage-centric story isn't likely to interest them. The plot includes mention of online porn (it's frowned on, of course), but viewers don't really see anything salacious. Marriage is portrayed as tough and often devoid of love, affection, or respect, but something that Christians are expected to endure anyway. Non-Christian viewers might be uncomfortable with some of the movie's dialogue and themes; on the flipside, at least it skips some of the raw language and sex in other Hollywood firefighting movies (like Backdraft).

Positive messages: Caleb -- who's a courageous lifesaver in his day job but not very humble about it -- rises above his personal flaws to be a better person, even it it's too late for his marriage. Some diversity among characters.
Violence: An offscreen car wreck yields maimed victims; perils of an impending train crash. A firefighter rescues an unconscious child from a raging inferno, getting singed in the process.
Sex: Caleb surfs the Web for online pornography (never shown), and some dialogue hints that his wife isn't very responsive in the bedroom.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: A tie-in Love Dare book exists; the movie can't help but feel a bit like a promo for it.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: In one scene, firemen drink hot sauce to test their machismo. In real life, a stunt like that recently killed a man.

More on Fireproof

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the film's messages about marriage. Talk about the concept of "unconditional love" -- what exactly does that mean? How do different groups (religious or otherwise) feel about divorce? Do you have to be a Christian to understand or appreciate what this movie is saying about marriage and life in general?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Caleb (Kirk Cameron) is the heroic chief of a Georgia firehouse. But at home, in a failing two-career marriage, he feels like he's in the doghouse. His wife, hospital administrator Catherine (Erin Bethea), doesn't show him much affection or respect; in fact, she's secretly attracted to a doctor at work, while Caleb's been caught more than once looking at online pornography. Proud and hot-tempered, Caleb isn't religious, but his father is, so he mails his son a handmade "love dare" book -- a 40-day plan, with Bible quotes in the margins, to do nice things for Catherine no matter how much she pushes him away.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
What's not to like about a pro-marriage drama? Well, despite FIREPROOF's core positive message, the acting is fairly weak, the production values are rough around the edges, and even though much of it takes place in a firehouse, there's more talking than rescue action. And some non-religious viewers might be put off by the film's evangelical Christian roots. It's not enough for Caleb to give up his dirty Web surfing and learn to shop, sweep, and do the dishes; in order to earn Catherine's devotion, he must be born again, and the script doesn't make things very easy for him -- the burden is on him to turn the other cheek as Catherine spurns him again and again, with nobody calling her on her own questionable behavior.

All of that said, the film (which was made by the same pastors/filmmakers behind Facing the Giants) earns realism points for frankly acknowledging that marriage can be difficult and even bleak at times. And nobody here is perfect; even characters who mentor Caleb admit to grievous past sins.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Director: Alex Kendrick
Cast: Erin Bethea, Ken Bevel, Kirk Cameron
Genre: Drama
Run time: 121 minutes
Theatrical release: September 26, 2008
DVD release: January 27, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: thematic material and some peril.

This review was written by Charles Cassady Jr.
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13

Most useful reviews by all members

Katy0
teen, 17 years old
 
Decent
I found some of the main characters to be rather unlikeable and the acting to be a bit stiff, but it's not terrible.

Joey123
teen, 18 years old
 
Best yet!!!!
I LOVE this movie. It is so great. The only reason I would rate this twelve and up is the subject matter. There is no sexual content, and no language. Such a great film.

daughterofgod
kid, 13 years old
 
Great family movie 10+
I really enjoyed this movie.

soccerchic
teen, 15 years old
 
reasons for why i rated things the way i did
caleb gets a little violent when getting angry w/ his wife he throws the trash can, smashes his computer w/ a basball bat. it isnt as much violent as i would say it is a little nerveing while he is fighting fires.there are some scenes where between caleb and his wife and if you dont want your kids to see that kind of arguing back and forth than this movie isnt for you. caleb and his wife gradually grow closer together!iput positive & negative role models because calebs wife does flirt and cheat on caleb ! but the positive part is that caleb later sees the importance of staying with his wife and learned to treat her correctly ! calebs parents are also very supporive of his decision ! if you have seen fly wheel and facing the giants by the same producers and liked either or both of those movies i can asure that you will like this movie too !

aidanqm1996
teen, 15 years old
 
"Never Leave Your Spouse"
This movie has a great message. Younger children might not like this movie, but I love it. There's emotion, a little adventure, and the word of God.

reviewgirl13
teen, 16 years old
 
Good, Christian movie
This movie is good, and I'm 13. My brother, who's 11, liked it as well. I thought it was interesting and it grabbed my attention. I'm glad this movie actually taught a lesson, made sense, and was actually worth seeing. Younger kids will most likely find this boring, and adults (especially those who are married!) will REALLY enjoy this movie!

AlinaW.
teen, 16 years old
 
Christian movie highlights important topics!
This was a really, REALLY good movie that my family and I loved. It was an amazing story, and you couldn't help but feel such a range of emotions, like tension and fear at the railway car accident which wasn't at all gory, and sadness at the rejection Catherine gives Caleb, even after he had been working so hard at the Love Dare, and finally happiness after Catherine realizes that it was Caleb, not the hot doctor that works with her that had donated the money to get her ill mother a new wheelchair and hospital bed from the money he had been saving up for so long to buy a boat. This movie has amazing messages, like marrige can be tough at times, but not to give up, and that no one is perfect. Fireproof definetaly dealt with some mature topics, but especially for a Christian- Catholic family, this was an amazing movie that was approprite and healthy for us to watch!

a teen book lover
teen, 16 years old
 
Good family movie
I liked the movie it was ok.I would say 11 and up because i dont think younger kids would get it

crystalp
parent of 11 year old
 
This is a great movie to make you think about your marriage. I thought it was spot on for the differences between men and women. It had a good balance of humor, seriousness, and action.

moviefan22
teen, 13 years old
 
Very good movie has some mature topics...
I am 11 and this movie did grab my attention and I thought it was very interesting and sad. Caleb's a fireman so you expect some violence, but nothing that goes over the PG limit. Caleb is always online for sexual purposes, but it's implied, not shown, so younger kids won't even know it's happening. This movie has a great message and it just lifted my spirit when the two got back together in the end. I rated this movie 10 and older because it has some rough topics like divorce and violence. The Pg rating is accurate and the movie may bore younger kids, may not. It certainly didn't for me.

MichaelDean
parent of and 5 , 8 , 9 , 17 year old
 
See it With Your Spouse
My wife and I absolutely love this movie. Younger kids won't be very interested and won't appreciate the film. This is an excellent movie for anyone in a relationship, and likely for those who may be considering relationships - such as teenagers.

valley
parent of and 5 , 15 , 16 year old
 
We need more movies like this
I thought this was a great movie...my husband, who is a big he-man macho non-church-goin guy also loved this movie. Its so "real". Half of all marriages end in divorce. The reason for divorce basically stems from selfishness...people always blame the other spouse for why the marriage is failing. The movie is a powerful message that teaches us what can happen when we lay aside our own selfish wants and put the other person first. I do believe that it takes a work of God in a person's heart to be able to do that, especially in this day and age of "me me me". I loved the funny moments (the hot sauce trick was hysterical) I loved the action scene with the train I loved the fact that Kirk Cameron's real life wife stepped in for the kiss scene at the end because Kirk did not believe it was right to kiss another women, even during an acting scene. I love that all of the actors were church members and not real actors at all...*e on, we go to high school plays and clap and cheer for the performance...why not for a movie like this? Its a great movie..made cheaply, no great special effects that cost millions, with mostly volunteers who couldnt act. But the message is a powerful one! My 14 year old daughter loved it. My husband told his sister about it the next day...I ended up buying the movie so we can watch it again and again.

bieber_fever55
teen, 18 years old
 
GREAT Movie For Adults And Kids Alike
I'm stunned at the site's rating... the sauce drinking was funny and comic relief. No body is dumb enough to really try it. This movie was amazing on so many levels. I cried my eyes out, laughed, and celebrated with Caleb at his attempts to win his wife back. In the end, Kirk Cameron wouldn't even really kiss the actress, he asked for his real wife to play the scene. That just shows how great of a message this movie has for kids and adults alike. The only thing I'd suggest against is those who aren't Christians watching, it might make them uncomfortable with some religious themes.

Totally500
teen, 15 years old
 
Fireproof
This movie is a great film that everyone can see. In the beginning its starts out slow because of the arguement scene but as the film goes on, It started to kick it up a notch and it will get you going. This film gives a A+

avonputo
parent
 
Strengthens husband and wife relationship, highly recommended
Very nice movie! I cried with my husband as we both can relate to the movie. We were also on the verge of breaking up and we survived because of the love of Jesus which made it possible to love each other despite our differences.

FERENZA
parent of 3 year old
 
THE SCREEMING AND SHOUTING IS NOT GOOD FOR YOUNGER KIDS TO SEE THEY DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT ITS ABOUT BUT FOR OLDER KIDS IT CAN HELP TO SEE THAT ALL IS NOT ABOUT YOURE SELF BUT OTHERS AS WELL REGARDS

 
Don't forget the role of a woman in this...
I am a Christian and I felt like the movie said it's ok for the woman to cheat and allow her heart to go to another man at the drop of a hat. The first invitation she had, she took it. She only came back because of a few actions by her husband. What about a woman's role here? This should make us men very scared knowing how easily led away our wives can be. It shows the extent to which a woman thinks lunch is innocent and how much she takes the flirtatious gestures to hear by her coworkers. I would like to see a woman Godly enough to not put herself in that situation in the first place. The doctor was her pornography and she took the bait just like many women do without a second thought. We have a big problem in our society, that is a sin of the heart and not just the eyes. It was a great movie as far as a salvation message and for how a man ought to be. 5 stars for that, but missed the point in how a woman should be with all the landmines she faces. We, in Christian culture, have been silent on this subject.

sarahcambron
teen, 15 years old
 
Good for kids who can understand what's happening/

acmrockstar
kid, 10 years old
 
Good for some Pre teens
I liked this film. Very Powerful. Some kids might not be intrestead in this film

D-Fresh
adult
 
the acting was sub-par... extremely disappointing because of how badly a movie with this message is needed in our culture today. By the way, I'm pretty sure if all you have to list in the "Drinking, drugs, & smoking" category is hot sauce, you are probably safe just leaving that category the same as you did with 'Language": Not an issue :)

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