Judge Not

I throughly enjoyed this movie. The small town with genuine good hearted people that sometimes get lost in their ways and don't realize how their actions become judgment.

I can say this movie will hit home with not only the every day relationship between a man and woman but the relationship with the younger generation and the consequences, fear and decisions they are forced to make.

Not only was this movie full of laughter, but it was heartfelt with different families with different situations. The lady Sarah and her husband Jacob was an especially emotional scene for me. I struggled with conception and entertained different avenues to conceive.

The twist in the movie will surprise you! If you get a chance, you should really check this one out.

This is a nicely produced faith film focused on the "ideals" our faithful church members are to uphold, and the realities that we are all sinners, and fail to meet those goals.

The story starts with our recently divorced mother of three discovering that she is pregnant from a failed post-divorce relationship. She realizes that another child in the family would be a massive difficulty. In today's society there are several choices this mother could make including abortion. Predictably, as a faith film, this option is examined & regarded as the least desirable outcome.

Despite the seriousness of the subject, the film is not 'preachy' as another reviewer put it. It places all the options on the table, and follows her as she explores each, with her family & close friend. The drama intensifies when she shares her secret struggle with the members of her church, and we witness the reactions from several points of view within that small, tight knit community.

Nestled well in the main story are two side plots embracing similar issues.

Overall it is an enjoyable film with humor and pathos in a church setting which grounds it to the author's honest faith & convictions.

I'm always leery of indie or low budget movies. Maybe because I grew up with many of Hollywood's golden standard movies and I've become spoiled, in a matter of speaking.

All that aside, I have to say the group that made this movie packed a few pleasant surprises.

The cinematography was nicely done with some of the camera angles nailing perfection. The acting was good in some places and incredible at other times. The audio work was amazing; a testament that indies don't have to sound like they were ahoy in a fish tank. The story itself was something that needs to be made more aware. Kudos to the cast and crew!

I had the pleasure of screening 'Judge Not' at a local theatre on a Sunday afternoon and the room was filled with attendees plus cast and crew, as a question-and answer session was held afterwards.

The film was enjoyable, beautifully shot and edited, and featured believable performances. While a faith-based film, it wasn't heavy-handed and dealt with situations that resonate with everyone.

Anyone struggling with pregnancy, faith, adoption or persecution are likely familiar with the themes explored in this film. It's characters are relatable, and the main stories touch on some uncomfortable situations many people face. With both light-hearted and dramatic touches, it's no surprise that there was ample applause once the credits rolled.

These days it is often difficult to have conversations about serious subjects because so many people are easily offended. The topic of how a church family reacts to and copes with tough topics like teen pregnancy, mid-life unplanned pregnancy, infertility and adoption are sensitive subjects to portray on screen.

"Judge Not" beautifully weaves together the personal stories of multiple church members as they confront controversial problems that test their faith.

When you sit down to watch an independent film, you are in a critical mood and feel a little uneasy, wondering how it will compare with a big budget, mainstream film. Your expectations are low.

As a filmmaker, I was very pleasantly surprised and blown away by the minute attention to detail of the overall production. There wasn't a close up or a film edit out of place. "Judge Not" is a film that was expertly crafted.

The stories of the characters are handled with compassion and care as we watch them learn many important life lessons.

Heartwarming, thought provoking and inspirational!