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The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis
By Alistair Lawrence,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Stage-to-film C.S. Lewis biopic has trauma, war violence.
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The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis
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What's the Story?
THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT: THE UNTOLD STORY OF C.S. LEWIS is the story of noted author C.S. Lewis' (Max McLean) conversion to Christianity.
Is It Any Good?
This adaptation of the stage play of the same name offers a guided tour through the chapters of Lewis' life that led to him becoming a Christian. The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis sees McLean reprise the role of the much-lauded author -- he also penned the original stage play -- and its his energized portrayal, complete with wordy monologues, that gives the movie its focal point. However, as with many adaptations of plays, much of what works on stage struggles to be replicated on-screen. The snippets of Lewis' earlier life -- portrayed by other actors -- mainly exist to fly through intellectual debates about the philosophy of faith at a rattling pace, resulting in a story that feels like what it is: selected passages adapted from Lewis' own autobiography.
So, while the passion of his faith is for all to see, eventually it becomes an underwhelming affair. The odd choice to show the beginning and end of McLean's performance with the real-life film crew calling "action" and "cut" is needless and pretentious, too. It only further robs this story of deeper characterizations and personal relationships that perhaps weren't there to be explored, but that would've made for a more compelling story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role of religion in The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis. What do you think made C.S. Lewis convert to Christianity? How did he both draw strength from it and acknowledge why others are not religious? Why is it important to understand how people with different views from yours think?
Discuss some of the character strengths that Lewis shows in the movie? What examples can you give of him demonstrating curiosity, perseverance, and gratitude?
Discuss the violence in the movie. Did the fact that the action took place in an actual war make it more impactful? How to talk to kids about violence, crime, and war.
Discuss the smoking in the film. How have attitudes toward smoking changed from when the film is set?
Have you read any of C.S. Lewis' books? If so, which ones have you enjoyed the most?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 3, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: July 5, 2022
- Cast: Max McLean , Nicholas Ralph , Eddie Ray Martin
- Director: Norman Stone
- Studio: Trafalgar Releasing
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: History
- Run time: 73 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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