Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Despite violence, Christian fatherhood drama is uplifting.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Courageous
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Based on 38 kid reviews
Kids say this movie revolves heavily around fatherhood, offering various insights into what it means to be a good dad. While it carries positive messages, it also includes mature themes such as violence, drugs, and emotional elements that may not resonate with younger children, making it advisable for families to view it together, especially those with older kids.
- fatherhood focus
- emotional themes
- family viewing
- mature content
- positive messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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.
Is It Any Good?
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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 30, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : January 16, 2012
- Cast : Alex Kendrick , Ken Bevel , Kevin Downes
- Director : Alex Kendrick
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 130 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violence and drug content
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
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