Over-the-Rhine

Writer and director, Mitch Teemley did a great job of showing God's redemptive purpose for forgiveness which brings healing and restoration in the midst of great tragedy and injustice. The movie is raw and real. A breath of fresh air in a cinematic world where revenge and vigilante justice is the normal fare. A well-done faith-based movie. Definitely worth watching.

Healing River beautifully shows the power of forgiveness in the most difficult of circumstances. Some thought provoking scenes-very emotional.

The producers put an awful lot of resources into Healing River and it showed on screen. I respect their choices on some edgier issues they allowed- not typical for a Christian film. Our lives are full of unlikely circumstances and pain- and this movie tracks with a few that make you ask hard questions about God. Too many Christian films wrap everything up with a nice little bow way too easily. I find it was a good exploration of redemption, probably beyond what most people could comprehend. It may open some eyes and hearts. The Catholic angle was interesting to me, but never in genuine conflict with my Protestant faith. I think the production was good- interesting camera angle choices by Director and effective, creative lighting throughout. The acting is very strong across the board, with a couple of standouts being the "mom", the "addict" and the "girlfriend." They did a lot of heavy-lifting, with powerful (when needed) and subtle (often missing from this genre) performances throughout. The music could have been stronger in some pivotal scenes, but I'm a Nashville guy and I set the bar very high. This is worth the watch to take your mind and faith for a walk. If you're not a Christian- all the more reason to get your mind working. This movie presents simple truths in the midst of hard situations.

Oh No another religious film? Argh! Boy gets drunk and kills someone. Mother goes to boy and forgives him and then he changes his life and all's right with the world. But it isn't like that.

No! Mom and friends and relatives get MAD! The boy gets off easy in the court! How is that making him accountable? Mom and friends want accountability, justice, REVENGE! Then you see the brave mom going up against the gang kid and blowing him up. Blood! Guts! Gore. It isn't like that either.

That's what makes this film so good. It doesn't go for the crowd-pleasing reaction. It seems more realistic when Mom meets the accused for the first time in jail. It makes sense when the priest talks to the kid. I understand that the process the characters goes through takes longer than what's apparent in the film.

The directing is well done. You can see the pain behind their eyes, and the glow that starts to grow as the film goes further. This is not one to see with NO KLEENEX. Your shirt or hoodie will be sopping wet by the middle of the film! I also loved the music. Very nice use of guitar!

The plot is not unlike what happens in real life. The reactions are real and heartfelt. I highly recommend it. When I get some more Kleenex, I may watch it again.

"Healing River" is an excellent movie. Engaging and poignant, this movie tackles one of the deepest, most powerful tenets of Faith. And does it incredible well. Which I didn't expect, because I don't usually like faith-based type movies as they're usually preachy, or corny, or just plain lame with mediocre or bad acting. Not this one. Top-notch acting and great storyline that -- even with the serious subject matter -- was entertaining. In my view, a "must-see" movie.