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In the Name of God
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Faith-based messages instruct more than entertain.
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In the Name of God
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What's the Story?
Seventeen-year-old Mason (Patrick Davis) has been in and out of foster homes for years. On his first day with a new family, he sneaks out and vandalizes a neighborhood store. Now his bad behavior has him one mistake away from juvenile detention. The new foster family surprises him with their refusal to give up on him and their determination to help him find the right path. But once he finds the right path, will he take the first steps?
Is It Any Good?
IN THE NAME OF GOD conveys an important message to teens about being respectful of others but misses a chance to really drive it home by example. Instead, it merely repeats ad nauseam the command to "show some respect." It's even framed as a sermon. Aside from the importance of God as a topic, the only attempt to convey any real depth to the script's message consists of reaction shots of thoughtful nodding. The story fails to develop and instead has Mason reach the epiphany you know is coming with nothing in between to show how he got there. The best that can be said of the acting is that some of it's not bad; unfortunately, most of it is. The filmmakers manage to keep the movie squeaky-clean but in doing so don't give the audience anything to latch onto.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of showing respect for one another. Do you think it's important enough to be the theme of an entire movie? Why, or why not?
The group-therapy leader says that many societies' laws are based on the Ten Commandments. What about societies that have never heard of the Ten Commandments? What laws do you think we have in common with them, and why?
Mason just needed someone to believe in him and give him a second chance. Have you ever needed, or given, a second chance? What happened?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 1, 2013
- On DVD or streaming: August 4, 2014
- Cast: Eric Roberts , John Ratzenberger , Robyn Lively
- Director: Kevan Otto
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Parkside Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , Great Boy Role Models
- Run time: 86 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: August 5, 2023
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