Parents' Guide to

I Can Only Imagine

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Poignant faith-based drama about hit song's inspiration.

Movie PG 2018 110 minutes
I Can Only Imagine Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 10+

Based on 40 parent reviews

a texas mom
a texas mom Parent of 16, 18 and 20-year-old
July 21, 2018
age 10+

Inspiring and well done

Great movie. Our whole family enjoyed it... teens, parents and grandparents. I’ve loved this song for years and now love it even more. The movie has a wonderful message of forgiveness, love and hope, and is very well done. Definitely worth seeing.
1 person found this helpful.
nellie616
nellie616 Adult
July 4, 2018
age 14+

Expected more

Pros: mended relationship through forgiveness Cons: expected to know more on how Bart came to be a Christian. It was touching, as many movies like this are. The movie spent much time with very little Christ leading. Not since "Time Changer" have I seen repentence and commitment on focusing what happens when Christ in not lifted up. Not saying the song is wrong or the purpose, I would love to see more Christ - centeredness in our media today.
1 person found this helpful.
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What's the Story?

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE is a faith-based drama about what inspired contemporary Christian musician Bart Millard of MercyMe to write the band's best-selling 2001 song. The movie begins with internationally acclaimed artist Amy Grant (played by Nicole DuPort), who's considering using the song "I Can Only Imagine" as a "comeback hit," asking Bart (J. Michael Finley) to tell her how he came up with it. At first Bart jokes that he wrote it quickly, in about 10 minutes, but Amy insists that a song so godly and personal had to take a lot longer to create. Bart then flashes back to his youth and his angry, abusive father, Arthur (Dennis Quaid). As a teen, Bart hopes to make his dad happy by playing football, but an injury forces Bart to quit the team and take chorus instead. Bart's teacher thinks he has a future in music, but Arthur is convinced he's not good enough to fulfill such lofty dreams. After high school, Bart attempts to gig with his new band, MercyMe, but when he discovers that Arthur has cancer, Bart changes course. As an aging, dying Arthur seeks to mend his relationship with Bart, he also begins to believe in God and change for the better -- for the first time Bart can remember.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (40):
Kids say (23):

Christian music fans will be touched by this poignant origin story of a beloved song, which is portrayed with warmth and openness. "I Can Only Imagine" is the No. 1 Christian single of all time, so there's likely a large audience ready to dive into Bart's story. Even though it's clear from the beginning that there will be a happy, hopeful ending, directors Jon and Andrew Erwin make sure viewers know that Bart's inspiration for the ballad -- his relationship with his father -- was complicated and unhealthy. Arthur can be cruel, and the movie doesn't shy away from how difficult it was for Bart to forgive his dad and move forward with the dream to become a singer.

Finley does a fine job channeling Bart's nuanced personality, both his enthusiasm and charisma, as well as his insecurity and anger. Finley is also good at conveying Bart's humor. As Bart's girlfriend (and wife to be) Shannon, actress Madeline Carroll is ably patient, waiting for Bart to confide in her about what's going on at home. Aficionados of contemporary Christian music will also enjoy the shout-outs to and portrayals of various famous singers, like Grant and Michael W. Smith, as well as seeing country artist Trace Adkins play MercyMe's veteran Nashville manager. The movie will likely resonate with anyone interested in music-based biopics or father-son dramas, but it will probably appeal most to evangelical churchgoers and those familiar with the touching song.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about I Can Only Imagine's messages about parent-child relationships, romantic relationships, and faith. How are the characters impacted by their relationships?

  • Who are the role models in the movie? What character strengths do they demonstrate?

  • What do you think the song lyrics mean? How do they affect those grieving the loss of loved ones?

  • Who do you think the movies' target audience is? Do you think only practicing Christians will enjoy or understand the film? Why or why not?

Movie Details

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