Chasing the Rain

A man who loves photography and helping the poor in Kenya finds himself afflicted with a debilitating illness . He rejects love and is forced to confront a past he wishes to escape . Contemplative , tragic , sad ... It's not a big budget film but it is well acted and has several messages and works to pull the viewer in .

Thirsting. Parched. Looking for water in all the wrong places. Chasing the Rain tackles the problem of pain and suffering with raw honesty and stark realism. For once, a film with strong Christian themes that doesn't propose God as the easy solution to all of life's problems. Here are real sinners with real struggles in a fallen world. Here is a God with hard edges, the God hidden under the cross and suffering, the Hound of Heaven in pursuit of the fleeing soul. God may appear silent in suffering, but He is present in it for the sufferer. The baptismal imagery is particularly poignant. Also fun to see N. T. Wright in what may be his film-acting debut.

You know those movies that are so bad they're weirdly good? Well this one is just regular bad. Written by people who are clearly out of touch, the story flows like a brick falling down a set of stairs.

Plus: Why does Lanter's hair change lengths shot to shot? Why is his fake beard so fake looking? Why does it feel like it was edited by a teenager? The lack of attention to detail is wild.

At the time of writing this, the film's rated a generous 3.8. Maybe once the review from definitely-not-cindy-jansen-55 drops it'll finally become the smash hit the creators thought it would be.

For those who have ever known suffering, real suffering, and ached to find answers, this film will resonate, validate, and heal.

Its message of hope triumphing over despair transcends geographical, social, and cultural boundaries. Every character in this film is searching for something - healing, fulfillment, love, purpose, redemption - and we know them all. They are our friends, our coworkers, our sons and daughters, our neighbors. They're all of us, really, at times. Treading water, gasping for air, thrashing against the current, and still thirsting. Yet among the pain and suffering, there are moments of joy, much-needed laughter, beauty, and art. The humor endears us to the characters, gives a reprieve from the relentless hardships, and reminds us of God's provision and little joys in a broken world. It isn't overwhelming or forced; it is just enough.

Chasing the Rain inspires self-reflection, kindles empathy, unseats complacency, and quenches a thirst for healing.

I just finished watching it, with a tear in my eye, what a great movie. No matter how beaten down you are, you are never out, unless you choose to be out. Very raw and brutally honest in his suffering, give it a watch, it worth the time.