Most - A Ponte Entre o Agora e Sempre

I saw this movie in the company of the directors Bobby Garabedian and William Zabka in a private screening of the movie. Needless to say, this movie was absolutely breathtaking. I can honestly say this is one of the best movies I have ever seen, the parallels in this movie to Biblical truth are staggering and the sheer art form it possesses is remarkable. If you have not seen it, or have even the slightest bit of remote interest in viewing it, I strongly urge you to. Please don't let the fact that the movie is in another language hinder you from watching, in fact, it makes it 1000 times better. This movie has changed my life and even several months after watching it, I am still amazed by it.

I saw this movie at a church family retreat. You can't describe the depth and meaning of this film, it HAS to be seen. I couldn't keep from thinking about it. It paralleled my life so much and I could truly relate. I went away actually bawling. This truly represents Gods love for his children. I had to go out and purchase the movie for myself. I am excited to share it with my Youth Group at church. I think this could make an impact on many youth because it hits so many areas of life. A must see for everyone. Kudo's to everyone involved with the production. I look forward to seeing more works from Bobby Garabedian and William Zabka.

I first saw this short at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and it blew me away. It was better than most of the 22 full length feature films that I screened! The other comments here are truly right-on as to the description on the film and the skill in which it was made. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when the lights went up! Truly amazing for a 29 minute film to elicit such an arc of emotions. It should have won an award at Sundance. Instead, it is nominated in the Best Live Action Short category for the 2004 Academy Awards! My quest will be to see it once again (not easy for shorts!) and to own a copy.

If you have an opportunity to see this film take it. If you have an opportunity to listen to the filmmakers talk about this film drop everything to be there. The source material for this story has touched me for years. (Supposedly based on a true story that has now taken on the status of a spiritual legend.) This film takes this material and moves it beyond moral anecdote to an experience that is unprecedented in cinema. The cinematography is great, acting is great, music fits. Although the emotional impact is beyond intense, you are never forced into the emotion. You are presented with times of joy, humor, anguish, and hope in a way that your heart chooses to experience. You must watch it multiple times to catch all the imagery and savor the experience. This is the only film that I have a waiting list of friends wanting to borrow it after I showed it to them.

I want to address anyone who may be reluctant to watch this if they heard that it is a "Christian" film. Over the years that adjective in the arts has sadly (but in most cases justifiably) become synonymous with "of poor production quality" or "preachy". Neither of these descriptions apply to this film. 'Most' is a spiritual experience that does parallel themes in Chritianity but can be appreciated by anyone, no matter their spiritual journey. I have shown this film to people who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and people who do not. Every person I have shown it to have had only good things to say about it. It is what the genre should be producing. Companies wanting to make religious films should take their cue from this one.

I just returned from an "Entertainment and Media Summit" in Nashville and it was there that I first learned of this film. Two people in the entertainment business whose opinions I respect had nothing but praise for "Most," a movie which came up in our conversation because Bill Zabka, one of the writers, was scheduled to be at the summit. (Unfortunately, he had to cancel at the last minute.) But I did discover an opportunity there to purchase a DVD from one of the other attendees, a young man whose own life was so changed by this movie that he buys multiple copies directly from the publisher and sells them at his cost wherever he goes "just so more lives can be touched." That was an even better recommendation than that of my friends and I quickly handed over the money.

Having now watched the movie I am tempted to join that young man in carrying copies with me. I have given away many books but have never (other than as a present for some occasion) given away a movie. This is one I will. The acting is outstanding, especially by the lead but also by the young man who plays the role of the son of the lead character. The production values are extraordinarily high for an independent film (for any film, actually), the music is simple but not simplistic, and that the film is in Czech makes it even better.

But of course the best thing is the story telling. The story is, I think, always the the thing, and while this story is not new it is told so powerfully, so beautifully, so movingly, that you become part of it.

Most is Czech for bridge, but after watching this movie both words mean so much more. This is an incredible movie which is entertaining and rewarding. See it if you can.