Redeeming Love

Even fans of Rivers' beloved Christian romance aren't likely to think that this uninspired, overlong adaptation does the sweeping story justice. Cowen, who's probably best known for the Netflix series Fate: The Winx Saga, tries to imbue Angel with the emotional detachment you might expect from a trauma survivor. Lewis is less convincing/successful. In only his third screen project, the classically trained British actor (reportedly a graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) doesn't seem comfortable with the role, the accent (it's one of the worst approximations of a Southern accent in recent memory), or even his co-star. Cowen's best scenes are with the other sex workers -- like Lucky (Derry Girls star Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), a young Irish woman who loves to drink, and Mai Ling (Ke-Xi Wu), who was sold to Duchess by her father. There's a real sense of camaraderie among the trio.

Although the movie is much more mature than the average faith-based movie (with sex work, pedophilia, domestic abuse, sex scenes, etc.), it's still as much a love story between the main character and God as it is a romance between a faithful man and a "fallen woman." And Christian viewers are likely to have a different reaction to the plot than non-Christians. To the former, Michael's actions might be easy to understand as a beautiful expression of his conviction in God's promises and the sanctity of marriage; to the latter, he might seem more like a misguided stalker (albeit one who doesn't require sex for his kindness) who all but kidnaps Angel and forces her to be his wife and farmhand. Despite the film's shortcomings, Logan Marshall-Green, Nina Dobrev, and Eric Dane are memorable in supporting roles as Michael's skeptical brother-in-law, Paul; Angel's put-upon single mother; and Angel's evil former "owner" (Dane channels his Euphoria villainy here), respectively. Ultimately, it's easier to get invested in the Job-like nature of Angel's many tribulations and Michael's enduring love on the page. On the screen, this adaptation underdelivers -- but at least a portion of the movie's proceeds go to combating human trafficking.