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Parents' Guide to

Root of the Problem

By Brian Costello, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Poorly made faith-based movie with a positive message.

Movie NR 2019 95 minutes
Root of the Problem Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Root of the Problem Movie: Scene #1
  • Root of the Problem Movie: Scene #2
  • Root of the Problem Movie: Scene #3

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 2 parent reviews

SLawton1
SLawton1 Adult
February 24, 2021
age 7+

Great points but quite silly

Spoiler alert*** Paul's wife and daughter should not have entered the warehouse in the first place. What was his wife thinking? Quite childish move. So the scene and words used at the hospital was just unethical from a saleswoman POV. I wish the entire film matched the entire logic and literacy of the point the writer was trying to display. Paul being thrown in jail for no reason was unlawful and clearly not real. Come on! Good movie to watch when there is just nothing else on or during this pandemic.
LucasDM
LucasDM Adult
September 16, 2020
age 10+

Great story and a heart felt message

I thought this film portrayed a beautiful message in a dark time. Yes, its a low budget film but I think they did an amazing job with what they had. It's a great popcorn film to watch at home with the whole family. The acting was very fluid and found it was more real emotion then directed. All in all, I think its a great little indie film with a beautiful message even if you are not faith-based.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, Paul Campbell is a greedy real estate agent who is always on the lookout to make a buck. When his wife Grace's Uncle John, a very wealthy man, passes away, Paul anticipates a lucrative inheritance, but is shocked and disappointed to learn that the only thing that he'll be inheriting is a plant. His disappointment soon fades, however, when he soon discovers that the plant buds not only leaves, but also $100 bills. Paul keeps the money for himself, not even telling his wife, and uses it to make expensive purchases such as a Porsche and a riding lawnmower. Grace grows suspicious of Paul's purchases, and so does a local detective specializing in financial crimes. At the same time, Paul discovers to his shock and dismay that the plant is no longer growing money. As Paul's life and marriage come dangerously close to falling apart, Paul begins to see, with the help of his family's clergyman, Uncle John's true intentions in giving Paul the money-sprouting plant, and must learn to value charity over greed.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

While there is a positive (if obvious and done to death) message to this film, there's no getting around the fact that this is a bad movie. Flat acting, stale jokes, corny dialogue, annoyingly repetitive background music, and cheap production values mar this faith-based comedy-drama in every scene. There are also plot holes that would be unintentionally hilarious if they weren't so excruciating and maddening. For example, the lead character, the greedy and selfish Paul, inherits a money-sprouting plant from his wife's uncle, but opts not to tell his wife about this and instead uses the money to buy a sports car and a riding lawnmower. The wife isn't as dumb as Paul seems to think she is, and questions Paul, who remains evasive.

Why, aside from making the lazy story a little too convenient, is Paul unable to tell his wife? It doesn't matter. The only thing that matters and takes precedence over such a mawkish, trite, and saccharine story, evidently, is the message. The message itself (greed bad, charity good) is, of course, a fine message to share, particularly for faith-based families looking for entertainment that runs counter to so many of the messages conveyed in our materialistic culture. But in sharing that message comes a responsibility to present entertainment worthy of the message, and in that regard, Root of the Problem fails completely.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about faith-based movies. How does Root of the Problem compare to other faith-based movies you've seen?

  • How is Paul not telling his wife about the money plant an example of a "plot hole"? How do plot holes affect the overall enjoyment of a movie? What are some other examples of movies and television shows with plot holes?

  • What are some other examples of movies that tell cautionary tales about the perils of greed and selfish behavior?

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