Je n'ai pas honte

Let me start by saying the death of anyone at the age of 18 is by definition a tragedy. Rachel Scott who was a committed Christian never got a chance to put her life and beliefs into a wider world. Who knows what a longer life experience might have made of her. Masey Mclain gives a most touching performance as Rachel, the first person killed in the Columbine High School massacre of 1999.

The larger issues of why such weaponry got in the hands of these two disturbed individuals Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold is totally ignored. We see a bit of what turned them into what they became, bullied kids who finally just snapped. I read with fascination the fact that a line was omitted from one of these characters where he admits to being gay and he's afraid of winding up like Matthew Shepard. As this is a Christian film it sure wouldn't do to admit homophobia might cause a person to snap.

The story of Rachel Scott is what is concentrated on in I Am Not Ashamed. But who knows if there had been less of a bullying atmosphere and no easy access to weaponry that tragedies like Columbine might not happen.

Hopefully a more intellectually honest film will come along and do just that.

How fortunate that Rachel Scott's diary was found in order to have a view into one of the lives lost at Columbine. It must have been heartwrenching for her family and friends to see this on the "big screen," but perhaps it provides a way for them to honor her life and help to continue the healing process.

Because the subject matter is so disturbing, I do agree with a PG-13 rating. That being said, I also believe this movie should be shared with every youth group. It would also be beneficial as part of schools' "anti-bullying" programs.

Each person impacted by Columbine has their own unique story. The struggles and questions faced by Rachel were well portrayed. The actors who were cast as Rachel and Nathan did an excellent job. Very believable.

This movie showed how kindness, compassion, and forgiveness can change hearts and lives. Rachel's brief life continues to have ripple effects nearly 20 years later. The Lord truly must have welcomed Rachel into heaven with "Well done, good and faithful servant" and continues to use her life to point people to Him.

I'm Not Ashamed is based on the life and premature death of Rachel Joy Scott, a student who went to Columbine High School on the fateful day Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris committed, what was at the time the worst school shooting in U.S. history. The film is brought to you by Pure Flix Entertainment, an independent Christian film and television studio which should give you an indication of who this movie is for and what it's trying to accomplish. Given my particular track-record with this production company, I came in fully expecting to hate this film - especially given its uncomfortable subject matter. Yet by the time the film reached its inevitable, heartbreaking conclusion, I must admit, this little Christian title had me a bit misty-eyed.

The film begins with a young Rachel drawing on her wardrobe cabinet with Crayon. We're given a brief tour of her broken home before she's whisked away as a teen to Louisiana for the summer to stay with her aunt (under the pretense of avoiding negative influences). It is in Louisiana she rediscovers Christ, starting her sophomore year at Columbine as a baby born again with a necklace cross to prove it. Yet as she rejoins her friends she soon recognizes the struggle of being disciplined in a school culture dominated by teenage angst, blossoming libidos and weekend partying.

Is I'm Not Ashamed Ham-fisted; yeah, pompous and overbearing; sure, amateurish in its execution; you bet, but the story, partially taken from Rachel's diary has a ring of truth to it. We're put into her head-space and can empathize with her struggles to fit in while staying true to her values, finding humility in ourselves as she stumbles, falls and gets up again learning as she goes. For once I felt like I was watching a movie about a Christian instead of a Christian movie. It never feels like a lecture or a sermon but rather a case for understanding; a peek into a worldview through a coming-of-age tale.

The story is served stupendously by the young Masey McLain who doesn't so much debut as arrives to the medium announcing she's the genuine article. She easily sidesteps the stodgy staging, internalizes the poorly delivered lines of her counterparts and reacts like everything is designed for her. That's no easy feat when you have a movie that has her pulling a manic pixie girl routine for a homeless man (Davies) with poorly designed tribal tattoos and the haircut of a 1960's NASA employee.

Additionally, the very rudimentary direction and cinematography can't help but undercut the film at every turn. There wasn't a single inspired moment. Of course an argument can be made that I'm Not Ashamed purposely eschews the Norman Rockwell sheen of Miracles from Heaven (2016) or Heaven is For Real (2014) to give it a certain authenticity. Yet I'd be more receptive to that idea if it wasn't so obvious they were trying for it. At it's best the film has the poorly executed sweep of a below average music video complete with scenes of the least exciting teenage ragers in history. At its worst I'm Not Ashamed resembles a Valtrex commercial.

A lot can be said about producer David A.R. White and Pure Flix's unabashed cavort towards Christ-ploitation but at least there's little doubt they actually believe what they're selling. I'd be lying if I said I didn't pruriently enjoy the flippant potshots towards groups not attune to the film's values - in this case the silliest analog is Cameron McKendry as a crush who "doesn't want to use labels". At this point, the kind of culture war contrarianism this kind of stuff is known for should be reacted to with a roll of the eyes.

Yet when all is said and done, Rachel's initial message of compassion and kindness shines through the usual muck and noise. While yes, it might be just as shabby looking as your average 7th Heaven (1996- 2007) riff, the familiar wrapping shouldn't necessarily dissuade. For once we're treated to a grown up, Christian worldview that proudly states what it's about instead of quibbling over what it's against. Considering that almost never happens, I'm Not Ashamed is arguably the best Christian film made yet.

And yes I did chuckle during the credits when, once again, we were zealously given the number to the film's text campaign.

This is a sweet story on one hand, and is a tragedy on the other. It's a story of an ordinary teenage girl experiencing first love, heartbreak and struggling with her faith. The true story of Rachel Scott, is the main focus of the film and its Heartbreaking to say the least. The movie is about Rachel and the person she was, and her faith in God. The shooting is secondary, and is only relevant to the unnecessary, unimaginable loss of potential in each victim. The innocent lives lost affected the world. We don't know the difference they would have made, the accomplishments. I believe through this movie that's what Rachel Scott did; she is still making a difference.

I don't consider this a Christian movie, it's a movie about Rachel and her experiences at Columbine during the last year of her life. I'm not sure why people are discrediting the movie. Richard Castaldo was shot only inches away from Rachel, he told the press that Eric asked her about her belief in God before he shot her. Also, the basement tapes showcase Eric and Dylan's disdain for Jesus and Christianity.....and life. The movie shows the difficult environment these columbine students had to navigate daily, it's worth a watch.