Facing the Giants

There are enough things wrong with this movie that I should rate it a 2 but I love this movie so much I can overlook the flaws very easily. I've seen it so many times I've now lost count. First, what's wrong with this movie.

1.) With the exception of the main character, there are very few women in the picture. Grant Taylor has a wife, there is a teacher and there also is a clinic featuring 2 women but other than that, none of the boys seem to have a mother. Matt has a father as does David but neither boy has a "mom," although David's father does wear a wedding ring. A small point but a mighty one.

2.) The African-American coach is one step above "Steppin Fetchit" or "Amos & Andy." He talks in a rather lazy fashion and seems a little bit slow although he isn't. When he gives David a "unique" way of remembering how to get the ball in between the goal posts or when he keeps up with Larry, his coaching partner, in a game of one-upsmanship of famous names, you see how intelligent he is but for much of the movie, he seems to be a bit of a doofus. In this day and age of political correctness, it's NOT a good idea to portray an African-American character as slow or dim-witted.

3.) Coach Taylor's hair. C'mon, guys, you could have done better with the front of his hair than what we see. It makes the coach look stupid, dorky - kind of like a Jim Carrey character.

Now, what's Right about this movie:

1.) God. There is lots of "God Talk" in this movie and I don't mind. This is a fundamentalist Christian view of God and may seem somewhat simplistic but it works, at least in this movie. Too bad real life isn't that easy (trust God and you'll get what you want). I'm Roman Catholic but I found the "God parts" very inspirational, although somewhat hokey at times. 2.) The acting. While it's not Laurence Olivier in "Hamlet," you really believe Alex Kendrick as Coach Taylor and Shannen Field as Brooke. Some scenes are heartbreaking and others are very funny. But all in all, it's a delightful pairing of 2 obvious believers. 3.) Let's face it, some of those young football players are CUTE, especially David and Zach. Clean-cut, with short hair and decent clothes (David even wears a tie to the final game!) without looking like nerds or geeks. That's refreshing.

All in all, I love this movie. Ii'm not a football fanatic and so I fast-forward some of those scenes. Other readers have pointed out football mistakes; I wouldn't know and I really don't care. To me, this movie isn't so much about football as it is about faith. It would be far worse if the mistakes were in faith instead of football. When I find myself feeling down and this movie is on, I watch it and I'm immediately uplifted. There aren't too many movies that can say that. And I doubt this movie will ever air on network television --- too much religion - GOD FORBID. That's a shame, though, because it's an uplifting, inspiring movie and many young people would benefit from watching it.

Facing the Giants boasts no Hollywood stars. Many of the players are locals who were part of the actual true events the story is based on. The acting is fine but nobody will be nominated for an Oscar. The dialog is at times simplistic if not down-right trite. But what Facing the Giants has that so many other films lack these days is a ton of heart and an unapologetic focus on the power Christian values to change the direction of peoples' lives, thereby changing the direction of the organizations they participate in (families, schools, football programs, etc.).

This film was primarily funded and produced by a church in Georgia... completely outside of the grips of Hollywood influences. Like many of the other Kendrick Brothers films, it is a small production with mostly volunteer actors and technical staff. I believe there were only about 6 people total who they had to bring in and pay.

Most people who watch this film (I'm guessing) are already Christians or are at least sympathetic to Christian/traditional Western values. Regardless what your 'beliefs' are, this film demonstrates how these values- when sincerely applied in one's life and brought to bear on troubling situations- can transform mindsets, change circumstances and open doors to amazing experiences and achievements.

People who give this movie a poor rating do so because they are turned off by religion (or at least Christianity) and no amount of money, big-name stars or fancy production will change their minds. Sure this film isn't a cinematic masterpiece by traditional measures. But are your measures traditional? Maybe they shouldn't be.

The big-budget Hollywood film is dead. The formula is failing. Nothing that comes out of Hollywood has any soul anymore because all the people in Hollywood have sold their souls a long time ago. In the 60's, Hollywood turned out many epic religious films such as Ben Hur, The Greatest Story Ever Told and The Ten Commandments. Why are they not making these kinds of films anymore? After all, they are still making war films and westerns and gangster/caper films and 'comedies' (which aren't very funny). Hollywood has been completely and thoroughly morally corrupted evidenced by the absolute absence of any recent product that one could say is morally uplifting whether religion is part of script or not. If Christian religion is part of the script at all, it is factually misrepresented at best and belittled and demonized at worst. At this point, Hollywood is incapable of producing anything that isn't soul-crushing, heart-blackening and mind-numbing. That boat has gone over the falls and there is no turning back. Thank GOD they can't force me to watch their garbage.

Thankfully, today, small, independent films and other media from all over the country and world are being created to fill this void and bring light back into a dark, oppressive, soulless industry. People crave truth and hope... even if on a shoe-string budget. The big wigs in Hollywood are freaking out because they no longer have a stranglehold on "mainstream" entertainment. So, instead of giving the people something better that speaks to their higher nature, they just get more and more base... spending ever increasing amounts of money in an effort to keep pushing the primal buttons of fear, anxiety, jealousy and hate. People are tired of it and they want something better because we were made for something better. Facing the Giants is a small but powerful film that provides something better. It's a "feel-good" movie, a term which has become a pejorative in this context. But since when has "feeling good" from watching a movie become such a bad thing?

Strong Christian movie. This movie will give you joy, it will make you sit on the edge of your seat wondering what amazing thing God can pull out of the events. Yes it is a movie but it shows Gods love for those who give it all to him. This is a must see movie for the entire family. I saw this movie with my youth group at our church. This movie all had us crying o the floor because it is so true. This movie can help you get your life straight. You can actually relate to this movie you must see it. I know it will change you life for the best by God's intentions.

I am a Christian, and I did very much enjoy this movie. But I had a big problem with it. It tells a non-Christian that if you become a Christian, you will have all your prayers answered ...and quickly. And we as Christians know that just isn't true. It sets non-Christians who become saved by this film, up for some major disallusionment. They will think that all they have to do is ask God, and all problems will go away. And it just isn't true.

God decides when he wants to say yes and when he wants to say no. Our lives as Christians aren't like what is portrayed in this film. Sometimes we pray for years and never get a yes answer. Sometimes we never get a yes answer. And we never get to understand why, not until we get to heaven.

The movie was well worth my time. I would encourage anyone who is looking for a good uplifting movie to check this one out. the characters are easy to relate to and the underlying story is very heartwarming. If you are having a bad day, or even if you are having a good day, this would be a great film. I left the movie feeling uplifted and full of hope!! The spirit of the movie is a bit reminiscent of "Pay It Forward". One word of warning, although the film does make you laugh in parts, you will need to bring your own box of tissues. After watching the film, I found out that the film was shot with only 1 camera. I honestly did not notice while watching the movie. everyone should be able to find a part of themselves in at least one of the main characters.