The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry

The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry is a subtle movie, that goes ever so smoothly that you never miss a step, it is not filled with the action, and special effects that most believes is required to make a good movie. Here is a movie that just drives off at a pace that it keeps to the very end, driving its message of love and the efforts of one man, whose life was a total testimony of what Christ expects from us when he gave us the great commission.

The movie has high ratings from critics, and that made me skeptical, wanting to stay away from it because I know that critics don't really like Christian movies because they see it as a source of propaganda. I felt, "here is a movie that they like probable the message is heavily watered down" but that was not the case in this movie, from the set go it started to preach Christ and it ended with Christ.

The movie plot is about a 75 year old named Jonathan Sperry (Gavin MacLeod) in the 70s who befriend a 12 year old boy named Dustin (Jansen Panettiere) and his friends Albert (Frankie Ryan Manriquez) and Mark (Allen Isaacson).

Jonathan during his time with the boys taught them about Christ, built them up in Christ and used them to touch the lives of those around them, from a bully to a lonely neighbor.

The movie does have some little faults; the kid actors were all not in form, because the class of acting that they delivered was way off base. The adult actors on the other hand did a fine job. Then there is the setting and the dressing, it was said that the movie was set in the 70s but it looked more like the 80s to me, but that is my view.

The movie directing was done Rich Christiano and the movie was written by him and his brother Dave Christiano. The two are the owners of Five & Two Pictures, who were also the producers of the 2002 Sci-Fi dramedy Christian movie Time Changer.

Here is a Christian movie that many like, and it is for a good reason too, it talks about Christ, and the movie leaves an image in your heart, of a man who spent his life showing the love of Christ to as much as he can

Here is a movie for you and the family.

www.lagsreviews.com

A bit sweet but filling.

This is a faith based film that is set in 1970. As a child of 14 growing up in a small town in 1970 I found the scenes, clothing and language authentic to the period and that was what was most entertaining to me. The story was simplistic, and uncomplicated but entertaining. As a child growing up in that era and being part of a church going family much of it was familiar. The polite talk and genteel and caring way people dealt with each other was reminiscent of my childhood and a great escape from the crude, crass and lurid entertainment in vogue today. I do wish it had a more dynamic story.

Mr Sperry reminds me of two men in my life who were very much like him in the way he went out of his way to bring young boys to Christ. Although I fell from the path many times in my life their memories always urge me to get back on it.

As a former soldier, biker club president and self employed businessman my life and faith walk is much more complicated with many more challenges but the simplicity of this story reminds me of a simpler time and re-enforces my resolve to be the man I aspire to be. Although I have seen much of the seedier and cruder part of life in my day the two men who made that investment in me as a boy have kept me in Christ's fold.

Fair warning: if you are thinking of watching this movie you need to know that it has a fairly heavy Christian emphasis. I say that NOT because I object to religious emphasis in movies. Not at all. It's just that most movies that seek to make a Christian impact are just completely cringe-worthy, embarrassing and definitely unrealistic - and I'm saying that as a religious person myself. It's sad but true.

This movie also wears its heart on its sleeve and has has a strong evangelical thrust. It lays it on pretty thick. What saves this from being as excruciating as most movies of this genre is the sweet subplot of a young lad trying to win the affection of a girl who has caught his eye and the genuine and moving acting of the kids playing the four boys and the girl. For once here is an American movie that casts teens as teens and not young looking twenty year olds! Amazing. The movie is better and more real because of that. It's nice to see some seasoned older actors too like Gavin McLeod and Robert Guillaume.

Despite some corny scenes, this movie is moving and engaging. My kids liked it, me and the wife did too. I recommend it.

When this movie was released, the radio ads I heard led me to believe it was a 19th century mystery with Christian overtones. In reality, it was like the picture of your favorite DJ, who looks nothing like you envisioned him. My wife and I watched the DVD last night. I found it to be a well-done, well-acted movie about sharing the Gospel. Mr. McLeod is superb as the lead, with Robert Guillaume complimenting the nicely chosen cast. The props and settings are accurate and nostalgic. It made me long for the innocence of that time. With Easter approaching, we should all reconsider the claims of Jesus on our lives. This movie will cause you to do that.

Heart-warming and funny. A golden nugget and light-spirited. Great message to grasp and lesson to be learned. Definitely one to add to my collection. Not your usual movie about bullies, and the secrets of an aged man. This movie is filled with lessons, teachings, messages and warnings. However, there is one overall hidden positive message/lesson that I wonder if anyone has or will notice, between "Dustin" and "Tanya". I really enjoyed this movie and recommend it. Actually thought about using it for a bible study or my own personal teaching for myself. I know I could get a lot more out of this movie than what I have already watching it 5x so far. Unfortunately anything without explicit scenes or tainted by the world's cynical view of everything is very rare in this day in age. Acting is mediocre, but if that's all one gets out of this movie, than sorry but you really wasted your own time with this one.