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

This is the Christiano brothers' best film (thus far), a lovely coming-of-age story about several youths in a sleepy upstate New York town circa 1970. In some ways it seems like the '50s, and the boys' shorts are definitely post-1985 length, but these are minor quibbles. Gavin MacLeod solidly portrays the title character, perhaps the meatiest role of his entire career, and quite likely an accurate reflection of his offscreen personality.

I saw this in the theatre, and the Gospel message is completely at odds with what the other films were selling/saying. It was a sad reminder of what this nation has fallen from.

For what could have been a pedantic, by-the-numbers evangelistic tract on film, this is instead a moving, well-crafted, tightly scripted bit of cinema. If this is any indication, we can expect even better things from the Christiano brothers in the years ahead.

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.

I like films like this. They are so simple, and yet, they have potential to leave a long lasting impression on the viewer. As I watched, I couldn't help but notice similarities to other movies(The Sandlot, Stand by Me) that also touch the subject of growing up. The difference here is the message the movie wants to convey.

If you enjoy family movies and are not bothered by the Christian message, this is a great movie.

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.