Perseguido

Personally I'm unaware that Christians are being persecuted in the U.S., so if you are and this is an important issue to you, you'll probably see the film in a different light. It seems to me that most of the televangelists who have been exposed for sexual and financial mis-deeds (Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Baker) were actually guilty of these mis-deeds, but I'm also skeptical about the justice system and I like a good conspiracy film.

Putting aside the basic theme of the film, and looking at it only as a movie, the film is certainly not big screen worthy. The plot moves so slowly you'd think this was a French film. The actors are all first rate actors, but they must have been phoning it in for this film. James Remar is particularly disappointing, but perhaps I associate him too much with films like "The Warriors", "48 Hrs", and "Cotton Club". The plot is also a little silly, and there are so many plot flaws you keep asking yourself questions like "Why didn't he make a copy of the video?"

Daniel Lusko, the writer/director says he was inspired by the "Holy Spirit" and that seems evident. It's a film that speaks more of inspiration than aspiration or perspiration. Many of the people involved in the film are first timers, and for a first time production, the film is pretty good, but still not ready for prime time.

The film was originally screened at the National Religious Broadcasters convention and again at the Conservative Political Action conference. These seem to be appropriate venues for the film. But the big screen – no.

I had expected much more of this film. I've been looking forward to it for months, having read about it in Brad Stine's e-mail newsletter. I had liked it on Facebook, saw all the trailers and news feed updates, and had high expectations. Well, I saw it this afternoon, and left feeling cheated.

I'm an evangelical Christian and a Tea Party conservative. In my mind, it is not outside the realm of possibility that it may one day become illegal to practice my faith. The Bible and the Constitution are both under attack in today's America. So I had hoped that this film would be a great dramatization about how that just might come to pass, because that's what all the hype pointed to. Well, if that's what they tried to make, they failed. Maybe my expectations on that front were too high. But it's not even a particularly good movie.

None of the characters are likable, and there is no time given for any real character development. Those who are supposed to be Christians are hardly shining examples for the faith, not what one would have expected from these producers. Brad Stine's character is particularly odious, and given that he's a Christian comedian, and listed as a co-producer, I have to wonder what he was thinking about. The "bad guys" are pretty much boilerplate. Fred Thompson plays the most sympathetic character, but his effect is diluted because his relationship with the preacher is not explained early enough. (Plus, I couldn't get his reverse-mortgage commercials out of my head!)

The music is ominous from the beginning, never seeming to stop, and the lighting is dark and stark. You can't support a nightmare scenario without first setting up normalcy. This film never does. The plot progression is confusing and portions of the action are not credible. There are some good production values, and I suppose it works on some levels as an action thriller, but I found it largely unsatisfying.

I had read some negative reviews this morning, but figured they were just examples of non-Christians who felt threatened. We've seen that with good films with a Christian message such as "Courageous," "Fireproof," and "October Baby." Turns out that this time, the secular reviewers were unfortunately right on. "Persecuted" is not what it was advertised to be. It is a huge disappointment.

It's hard to see such a great bashing of this movie and calling it unrealistic. I don't know if people are blind or if they choose only to see what they want. It is more than obvious that conservatives are being persecuted in the good old U.S. of A and the group that fits that mold more than any are Christians. It's not a wild theory it's just a fact. Christians are being tied in with terrorists by the government. This is supported by several public documents. This would not seem far-fetched if you would research and find the stories of things that have happened in this country against Christians and other conservative groups and not years ago but right here now on our soil. The fact is the majority want to shut us up because we do not go along with the moral decline in this country. We're considered hate-mongers, close-minded, stupid and a danger to the "freedom" of this country. Right now it's a story here and there that gets put low on the list of the media. Soon and very soon this persecution will become front page not to condemn it but to celebrate it. This movie is dead on point. The average American has no idea what's really going on in this country and what is already happening not even to mention what is capable from some people in power. Sure right now Christians are the easiest target so we're playing the guinea pigs while others are shouting bring it on but just you wait. It's just a matter of time until your freedoms are violated by the "elite" no matter what your background. This film needed to be made and I'm afraid one day we'll look back and see things all to familiar going on right before our eyes. Hollywood prophecies on a daily basis through movies and this is no different. I praise the team for taking such a daring step forward knowing that the persecution was going to come. It's just an indication you're moving in the right direction. Job well done.

This one's gonna compete with "God's Not Dead" and "America: Imagine the World Without Her" for a Razzie in the God 'n Country Division.

I'm amused how the lead character is described as "The last obstacle to sweeping religious reform in America...". In other words, a theocracy in which everybody's a Christian. How could there be anything else in This Great Christian Nation?

All you really need to know about this film is (1) Glenn Beck was a silent financial backer, according to Christy Lemire of rogerebert.com; and (2) respected character actors like Bruce Davison and James Remar must have been hungry and broke with winter coming on to take these roles.

This storyline, in capable hands, could have made for a really good movie. This ain't it, not by a long shot, though the "Duck Dynasty" crowd will love it.

At least I'll give it this: "Persecuted" had more laughs than "Sex Tape": One.

I attended a free showing tonight at a friend's church. I already had low expectations for this film, but even those were too high, apparently. This film is more than Right Wing Propaganda. This is a film so forced, it leaves any rational person scratching their heads. The whole film reads like an aborted subplot from the Left Behind series (and I admit I have read all 12 of the core series, even though I thought those seemed forced at times). None of the characters in this are at all relatable except to Christians who believe they are being persecuted by "The Liberal Media" in the United States.

Just perusing the cast list, however, it should be obvious to anyone this is steeped in Hard Right bias (Fred Dalton Thompson and Gretchen Carlson are listed among the cast).

If you want a film about people fleeing from persecution, watch Rambo. If you want a Right Wing film, I'd suggest Atlas Shrugged. But if you want a movie that is horribly plotted, horribly acted, and makes zero sense, this is the movie for you.