What Remains

Wow...what starts out mysterious will keep you hooked. If you're into action movies, pass on by. This movie is for people who aren't afraid to delve deep into their own heart & soul and question their own beliefs. Is it a faith-based movie? No--and yes. Films who deal with the issue of faith usually get the low ratings. Luckily, I didn't read any of the reviews before I started watching it--I was captured by it from the beginning. Every one of the actors were so into their character that you felt you were right there. It truly begs the question--would we have done the same thing as Pastor Marshall? I highly recommend this film.

The positives: almost all of the casting/acting was good, with the sole exception of the son character and one sheriff deputy. I did fall in love with the pastor and his wife's characters, though I am not a Christian; those two are inspiring to anyone.

The negatives: almost everything else. Yes, there's a moral message that they're trying to convey, but not enough plot or character development to accompany it. So the whole thing drags on...way too slowly, and we barely get to know most of the main cast. It would have been a richer story if they'd showed us (perhaps even via flashbacks) some of the family's life prior to the incident. If they'd delved into the son and the sheriff a little bit...instead of painting caricatures with no depth whatsoever. It would have filled out the time and kept a more reasonable pace. This was a turtle's slow trek through a long sermon. Good for church Sunday schools, perhaps - not for general audiences.

This is a slow burn type film so it won't necessarily be to everyone's liking. Having lived in a small town in the south west for many years, I identified with the story and the characters and found it relatable and interesting.

There are so many good performances. The Pastor character is a very honest portrayal of a God fearing man trying to do the right thing. And the chemistry between the sheriff and her deputy is excellent and brings some much needed humor inbetween the heavily dramatic storyline.

The film also had me thinking way after the credits rolled. Our children's actions have consequences. But even moreso, our actions as parents, leave life lasting impressions. So lets make em count.

Well done to all involved with What Remains, was grateful to find this one on starz.