Most mainstream moviegoers became familiar with both
Sherwood Baptist Church and Provident Films (the faith division of Sony) thanks
to "Fireproof," the 2008 firefighter character study that was created
for around $500,000 while going on to make more than $30 million with audiences
around the globe.
The follow-up spiritual effort by the church is "Courageous," a new
drama now showing at the Majestic Cinema, that’s already earning buzz as the
best Sherwood effort yet. Very much a story about faith and morals,
"Courageous" succeeds at blending religion more believably into the
day-to-day lives of its characters.
Alex Kendrick - another familiar face for Sherwood fans - plays Adam
Mitchell, a police officer at a rural post who has let his relationships with
his wife and children fray as he has devoted more and more of his attention to
his job.
Joined on the beat by fellow officers David Thomson (Ben Davies) and Shane
Fuller (Kevin Downes), the trio welcomes in the new rookie Nathan (Ken Bevel),
who has just recently relocated from the big city to give his family a quieter
life. As they go about their daily patrols, all four men find themselves
confronting similar issues on the home front: too many hours on the job, too few
hours at home.
It’s an unexpected tragedy that jostles the group out of their waking
comas, forcing them to re-evaluate their priorities and sending them off on a
new path - determined to be better dads and partners.
With this Sherwood production sporting yet another modest budget of $1
million, and once again focusing on strong men in traditional positions of
authority ("Fireproof" featured firefighters), "Courageous"
is steadfast in its determination to spread a holy message. As these policemen
set out to become better fathers, their issues of faith and belief become a
central pillar of the story. Yet where "Courageous" rises above
"Fireproof" is in its willingness to add some additional texture,
ensuring that Adam is not a one-dimensional character.
All of these men project an aura of fallibility. They have strengths and
weaknesses, successes and failures, and they don’t pretend to have all their
answers. And their personal quests to build stronger families are not a sure
thing, but rather an erratic work in progress.
It’s these notes of personal growth - and failing - that help to offset
some of the heavy-handed sequences, helping us to identify as well as admire.
And while "Courageous" is by no means a perfect film or even a great
concept, it has its heart in the right place.
Email: snyderreviews@hotmail.com
