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Higher Ground
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Moving drama about faith and doubt dares to be smart.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
As a teenager, Corinne finds religion after she and her young husband, wannabe rock star Ethan, nearly lose their child in a car crash. Her love of Jesus takes precedence over her love of books -- and nearly everything else. As a grown woman (Vera Farmiga), Corinne becomes one of the most active and beloved members of her evangelical church. Ethan (Joshua Leonard), too, takes a leadership role, playing his guitar and ministering to others. Corinne's love for the Lord is unshakeable. But her faith isn't, especially as she tries to understand the doubts that creep in when the church's chauvinistic ways assert themselves and when her best friend, Annika (Dagmara Dominczyk), is irrevocably damaged after illness and surgery. Meanwhile, Corinne opens her eyes not just to her dissatisfaction with church dogma but also to her marriage's weaknesses. How can she reconcile it all?
Is It Any Good?
Farmgia is enormously talented, both as a director and an actress, and her Corinne is bedazzling; anytime she's onscreen, she owns it. Her expressions are never boring, often unexpected, and as authentic as you can get in a movie. Her vision as a director is impressive, too: She doesn't go for shortcuts, doesn't push one agenda over another, and seems genuinely interested in crafting a movie that asks bold questions -- and boldly attempts to make sense of them. Stereotypes are shaken, faith is embraced (without irony), and a woman struggles to balance her steadfast belief in God with her burgeoning skepticism.
The movie -- which was based on a memoir by Carolyn Briggs -- even has loads to say about female friendships and what makes some tick. Though some key scenes feel a little overcooked -- one or two of the prayer meetings border on caricature -- they are few and far between. HIGHER GROUND often takes the titular higher ground, and the movie is the better for it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the movie depicts Corinne and her faith. How does she compare to other religious/spiritual characters you've seen in other movies/TV shows?
How does the movie tackle the complex topics of Christianity, religion, and faith? How does it compare to other movies that have examined the same subjects?
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 26, 2011
- On DVD or streaming: January 10, 2012
- Cast: Donna Murphy , Joshua Leonard , Vera Farmiga
- Director: Vera Farmiga
- Inclusion Information: Female directors, Female actors
- Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 109 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: some language and sexual content
- Last updated: December 7, 2022
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