His Only Son

It is often said that scripture interprets scripture, but most of us are working with incidental fragments from a rather large book. This writer takes one of the toughest messages and manages to assemble the supporting chapters and events without becoming bogged down, overwhelming the novice or boring the expert. I know the story of Abraham and Sarah quite well, and bought tickets with the idea that I would suffer through a low budget interpretation for a good cause, but it was a great show; I walked away feeling like I met the characters and gained new perspectives on the message. Nice segue into the Gospels, great message for young and old, light on the graphic stuff and excellent for conversation after the film.

This movie made up elements and left out such important ones. God's covenant with Abraham, God's speaking with and providing for Hagar, the visitation by the Lord and prophecy of Issac's birth in the coming year (when Sarah laughed, giving Issac his name). I would have preferred the story to be told linearly so we could have agonized with Sarah over her infertility, rejoiced at Issac's birth then really felt the gut punch when God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Also I would have liked to have seen more clearly portrayed Abraham's faith in God's promise that Issac would be the seed to generations and therefore God might even resurrect Issac if necessary. (Hebrews 11:17-19). The movie fell short of my expectations, but I'm glad it has spoken to so many. Hopefully the director will consider sticking more closely to scripture in his future endeavors.

I finally had a chance to see this and I liked it. Is it a great film that can be ranked among the great film makers? No. The pacing is poor, the structure isn't great and some of the acting... well is amateurish. But consider the fact that this is the producer, writer directors first major film. So I'll give him a break there. The visuals are stunning. The actress playing Sara really brings it, and delivers a great performance. The actor playing Abraham, knows about one expression it seems. While this story plays out in a few pages in Genesis, it would be a challenge to stretch that material out for an entire feature film. So there was some filler that does not appear in the bible it does not add or detract from the story fortunately. There was plenty of emotion to be found and I did find the film up lifting. Give it a chance.

I guess I went in to watching this movie with very high expectations from something from Angel Studios, especially after the successful endeavors with The Chosen and the newer movie Sound of Freedom. But soon into this movie you will find yourself doubting why you decided to watch it. I have actually turned it on and off several times as it cannot keep my attention. There are several factors that go into my decision, including poor acting, poor costumes, but most importantly all of the excessive artistic license that is taken in this movie. I know the story of Abram and Sarai very well. And I realize that this biblical story actually points to the coming of our Messiah in Jesus Christ, but Abraham did not realize that at the time and some of the things he says in the movie was never said or at least not given to us in scripture. I'm all for trying to make things more interesting and filling in the gaps, but when you add information as though it was scriptural to do that then I think you're making the wrong steps.

I desired to see this film. For subject, for Angel Studios . Indeed, with some not reduced expectations .

And I liked it. Maybe , just I loved it for a couple aspects.

It is very difficult to imagine the fair manner to tell this Genesis part. Because it is intense, complicated, dark and hopefull in same measure. So, I saw it without compare with the lines of Old Testament or with my images about characters. And, starting from this start point, easy was to appreciate the effort of actors, the atmosphere and the puzzle of events , not in chronological order but with interesting effort to put in honest form, the familiar facts. And, especially, the dialogue.

At the first sight, it is a film for a precise target. Indeed, Abraham has not one hundred years old and Sara seems too nervous, the young actor for role of Isaac represents not the most impressive option and the encounter with our Lord seems too simple solution.

But not strict accuracy or innovations / useful, in manz senses, must be the significant poinst, I suppose, but the message. And it is clear and loud .So, not being Choosen, it is a decent adaptation , not out of some good appreciations who it high deserves.