The Second Chance

I had the opportunity to watch a preview of the movie, The Second Chance. Set in a large Southern city, the film portrays the racial tensions between a predominately white, affluent church with that of a black and financially struggling congregation that they have supported for many years. The movie does a good job of character and plot development with very credible acting from Michael W. Smith and the other lead actors. The film realistically portrays today's inner city environment which causes its content to receive a PG-13 rating. I believe that this movie contains a valuable and enjoyable message for today's Church. It is a moving story of renewal, forgiveness and Christian love.

Here's the sad thing about this movie...I fear that not a lot of people will see it. That would be a real shame.

Let's face it: Christian 'entertainment' is normally completely void of any artistic skill, woodenly-acted, hokey, and moronic. It's made for those who want to build large brick walls around their church and stay safe from the evil world outside.

On the other hand, this is an intelligently crafted, authentic look at the divisions that lie within Christianity in America. If you have attended church for any length of time in your life, the attitudes that you see displayed on screen will undoubtedly hit home, because you've either seen them in others or yourself (the use of "Christian-ese" to silence dissent is all too real). If you aren't a church-attender, you'll recognize some of the things that probably help to keep you away.

This is a movie with heart that never gets cheesy. It's not terribly complicated, but that's part of the point...either your actions match your words or they don't. Very simple.

If you're looking for 30 plot twists in a movie, pull out one of the 80 "Left Behind" DVDs and have a ball with the fairy tales. But if you want to experience good art, something real and challenging, see this movie.

I was pretty a little disappointed in this movie. I read some of the reviews and I don't agree. I don't think Michael W. Smith did such a great acting job. His singing was great but his acting just average. I thought his character was believable because unfortunately many people who grow up in the big church world are pretty clueless about life outside of theirs, and think that a wad of money will make everything better. I think actually most people are like that. I was also disappointed with the character of the black pastor, always angry and distrusting. . He could have been cynical for all he had to deal with but I thought that was too stereotypical. I was surprised at some of the language, but for PG-13 it wasn't bad. Over all it was a decent movie, better than a lot of the trash that's put out today. I hope Christian producers continue to look for better scripts and better actors.

I was reading a lot of comments on this movie and was surprised to read that most people agreed with this film. The problem with our churches has nothing to do with white vs. black or mega churches vs. small churches. The problem with our churches is the lack of Jesus.I know there are a lot of churches that view church as a business or social club, but those churches are not just white. The movie is right to exhort us to get out into the community and not just throw money, but to make it a racial issue I think is wrong. We need to have the heart of Jesus and whether you are a Jew or a Gentile Christ died on the cross for all our sake. I realize the point of the movie was to tear down racial bearers in the church but I think that it's both sides, most people don't want to get there hands dirty no matter what race or walk of life they are. I think the movie missed out on the real issue, and by the way there are churches out there where ex-prostitutes, ex-drug addicts, ex-homosexuals, white, black, Mexican, rich, poor, work together in the unity of Christ, being Jesus' hands and feet. I go to one and let me tell you, it is a beautiful thing when people from all walks of life have one thing in common and thats being saved from the wrath of God which we all deserve through Christ Jesus our Savior. Lets leave racial issues out of the church and just preach Jesus!

Michael W. Smith does a great job in his film debut with the new film "The Second Chance". Smith plays an associate pastor named Ethan, who leads quite a comfortable life under the sheltering wing of his father's suburban mega-church, The Rock. Jeff Carr, plays Jake Sanders, an inner-city preacher at the older and more urban church, Second Chance Community Church. While the two come from different walks of life, they share the same faith, which ultimately leads them to help each other. It's only when the two unite to work together that they realize they have truly done the Lord's work. This is a great movie with a great and inspiring story about the diversities that are evident in a lot of today's churches. Although a Christian movie in most respects, the film is PG-13 so I would advise parents to use discretion when taking an children under 13. There is some language, drug use and some violence. Great film overall, check it out Feburary 17th!