Virada do Destino

In small-town Brent, Alabama, single singer-teacher Toni Braxton (as Nina Yarber) devotes time to her young son and the church, where she sings gospel music. Friends attempt to play matchmaker, but Ms. Braxton resists. Meanwhile, in big-city Brooklyn, New York, devout Jewish musician David Julian Hirsh (as Jacob Fisher) witnesses a horrific bus massacre. After the tragedy, Mr. Hirsh moves to Alabama and meets Braxton. At first, she is unimpressed with his shabby, homeless appearance...

Hirsh is secretive about his background. He begins working as a handyman for Braxton and the church. He also loves music, just like Braxton. Hirsh teaches Braxton's son Nathaniel James Potvin (as Asher "Ash" Jones) to play basketball and a father-son relationship develops. Hmmm... Braxton's rabbit-hunting uncle Mykelti Williamson (as Moe) approves. You'll have to see if Braxton and Hirsh hook up, and how his past threatens the possibility. "Twist of Faith" is a mostly Christian TV-movie, with good music.

***** Twist of Faith (2/9/13) Paul A. Kaufman ~ Toni Braxton, David Julian Hirsh, Mykelti Williamson, Nathaniel J. Potvin

This is a movie that you assume will be Christian going into it. It takes place in a Christian environment, but that is about as far as Christ is involved. If you want to watch this movie as one of Christian values, or of faith or of our Saviour - you will probably be disappointed, as I was.

They blaspheme and use other cussings in the movie, and our Saviour is not even mentioned. In fact, they sully any part of the movie that could be good with cheap worldly desires. This movie was as secular as anything else you might see on television.

If you want to watch a glorifying movie, one that is true to our calling and our beliefs as true followers of Christ, then you will certainly be found in confusion in this movie. A Twist of Faith is the same thing as Nestea, they tell you there is a lemon-twist, a twist of lemon - if you will. But when you taste it, you don't really notice that lemon flavour, and when you read the ingredients you find that there is no lemon in there at all, but natural flavours - likely not from lemon at all. The movie was the same, as you watch it and find that Christ has no place in this "Christian" film. This film is without Christ Himself, and is therefore an -ian movie.

Be warned.

-Peter

I found this film to be exceptionally moving. I was loath to watch it, at first, as the brief description suggested that it might be emotionally disturbing to me in a way I do not like, with human tragedy at the basis of the story. However, I soon changed my mind, and have now watched most of it almost three times.

It is a human story set in a religious environment. It shows the true meaning of Christianity while dealing with human emotions in a most tender and loving way. Toni Braxton played her role most well and with feeling, once she began to recognize that Jacab was not only a gentle man, but also was deeply religious. I found there to be no conflict between the very different religious backgrounds of these two people, who were drawn closer together by the commonality of their religious beliefs and feelings.

I was moved to tears on several occasions, and there are few movies that do that to me. The acting is good and the story, excellent. I found two of the reviews somewhat short-sighted as to the meaning of the Christian spirit, and they clearly did not see as much humanity or the meaning of Christianity in it, as I did.

I saw this once, told my wife about it, and together we watched it two more times. There were times that we were close to tears. We are Jewish, and I must say up front that the Jewish aspect of this is handled vaguely, though respectfully. If that were all there was to this movie, we might not have finished it once. But there was, in addition, the story of two people damaged by life but who are drawn together by the highest, most refined values. I know that sounds preachy, but it doesn't come out that way. The principals,Toni Braxton & Julian Hirsh, in fact every actor actor played with simple truth. My wife and I believe that the one of the highest purposes in life is to make the unseen visible, and that is what this movie does.

This is a feel good movie that I truly could watch every day. Braxton's acting is not perfect but it's not too distracting to get the gist of this movie. There may be actions or decisions that some believe would not happen IRL but it's just a movie. Relax and enjoy.... If you want to "feel good" and lose your troubles for a while, this is the movie.