The Encounter

I started watching this movie and I was thinking OK typical Christian movie all heart and bad acting. The acting was not as bad as facing the Giants although i put it behind Facing the Giants because it had a better theme. No i am not a die-hard Christian fanatic although i do enjoy some of the movies that are put out there because they put me back in my place.

The basic concept of the movie is five people end up getting sidetracked by the devil because of flooding and get sent back to a diner where Jesus is trying to save each individual from going down the wrong path. The movie overall had a great concept but it got a little too deep on the religion side although i do understand the reasoning but it got pushed over the top a little. I rank this a 7 out of Ten and i put Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and To Save a Life ahead of this small treasure of a movie.

"Hank, do you really think that you're going to save, let alone restore your marriage, by putting your wife's wishes above mine? She wants to break up your marriage, Hank. I want to save it."

That... is a line stated unironically by Jesus in this Christian film by Christians for Christians. I have to suppose that neither the writers nor any producers nor the director nor the actors nor the camera man, nor anybody else involved in this production stopped and said "that doesn't sound like something a good person would say".

Some people talk about production values. I'm ready to set that aside in the case of a well done story or, where it's a part of discussion or meditation on a topic, a well done discussion or meditation. This was not well done as a meditation or a discussion.

The matters being touched upon include the problem of suffering, the problem of Hell, and biblical atrocities. That would be all well and good if this movie was at all interested in any of those things beyond coming up with a quick excuse for the almighty. These are questions that have to be struggled with, not just passed off.

I imagine that lack of intellectual depth is why Jesus says things that, if anybody had given half a moment to think about, would be far more at home in the mouth of a deceiving demon than a true wise healer.

And, the characters are similarly lacking in depth. Matters such as an identity crisis and severe abuse exist only for the Jesus character to pass them off as less important than himself, thus adding to the feeling of an evil Jesus.

As to the acting... well, in the part of Jesus I suppose that soft voice might have worked better had the writing not given him such evil to display. But, as it is, it sounds far less like compassionate wisdom and far more like a being that's desperate to seem compassionate despite the, again, evil he's speaking.

It's a shame because the premise has potential for the intent. This could have been done much better. It would have taken people who are more ready to struggle with their theology.

Christians, if Jesus ever says the things to you that he said to these diners, it's not Jesus and you tell that being "Get thee behind me".

I have read a few reviews that wonder how Jesus could serve up all the food anyone wanted but only serve water to drink. I think it's because he promised the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4)that he would give her "Living Water" and she would never be thirsty again. The Lord was comparing the filling with the Holy Spirit being like a spring of living water inside. She misunderstood the meaning of His statement and changed the subject to get the focus off of her life and on to something else. He gently flopped it back into her lap.

The movie in my opinion was scripturally sound and offered the Lord an opportunity to answer some of the real tough questions that many unbelievers and believers have. Most of the guests did give him a hard time when the spotlight was shined on them and their problems were brought into the conversation.

This is absolutely a "must watch" movie. One last thing. I also read several comments about the acting being "B" acting etc. Who cares? The acting was fine if the watcher would concentrate more on the substance and less on the fact that these people are not the "Big Shots" who run Hollywood.

So I looked at the New arrivals on Netflix and saw the title. I thought it was maybe a horror movie so I loaded it and waited but what I got was a really really good movie that touched me and made me feel good and wanting to be better. It's a movie that needs to be on TV, Hulu, and anywhere possible. I enjoyed it and I do believe in God and Jesus and not ashamed to say it. I do not go to church weekly but I have him in my heart and my family believes in him.

Many out there will make negative comments about this movie and that is there right but it is also my right to praise the movie and the message it gives to all. Too much hate goes on in the world and this movie reminds you whether you like it or not that there is good if we can find it in ourselves to make it good. I hope you will give it a chance I think you will be surprised if you believe and maybe if you don't you will be touched.

First of all, we watched "The Encounter" without knowing what it was about. We were basically just looking for a film to watch before we fell asleep, something not too challenging. This film was excellent. It held our attention the entire time. The acting was superb, not cheesy with bad sound and worse dialogue like some of the other Christian movies we've watched in the past. The film gracefully and unashamedly tackles some of the really hard questions Christians face with answers that are refreshingly genuine. We were left with lots of food for thought, and afterward we had a very lively discussion about several of the points raised in the film. We shared it with one of our adult children, who was intrigued and plans to watch it as well. I would wholeheartedly recommend this film for all age groups. Finally, it was also very funny in some parts. We laughed out loud, and you will too.