Road to Redemption

Julie Condra gets a hold of some mob money and goes on a spree. But when the syndicate finds out she's forced to flee. Her only hope is her grandfather who has put away a few shekels in his life to give her the money to pay back what she owes. She can only hope they'll forgive her, but these are not known to be forgiving people.

It's a Christian movie put out by the Billy Graham Ministry so expect the usual Christian parameters involved. Pat Hingle plays the grandfather and he's always good. There's an interesting role for Wes Studi an American Indian who has brought his tracking skills to the mob. They do pay well for his services I'm sure.

But if you want to see a really good film about someone who got a hold of syndicate money and is trying to shake them, watch Walter Matthau in Charley Varrick.

I don't understand why this movie is getting some negative reviews. My wife and I borrowed it from a friend and loved it. I get so tired of movies being full of nudity and profanity, especially using the Lord's name in vain. This was a fun, clean movie, has great morals, and gives the plan of salvation. Was it predictable? Yes. What's so wrong with a funny, predictable movie? Not every movie has to have a surprise ending or a twist to be good. I have seen a couple of other movies from World Wide Pictures and enjoyed them as well. I recommend this film to anyone who would like to see more movies where their children don't have to cover their eyes or close their ears.

I stumbled across this gem while late night channel surfing, entering at the scene where Amanda and Nathan take the "detour" which lands them behind a pigeon truck. I'll admit what caught my eye was Julie Condra's beauty, but the story was intriguing because I knew neither how it started nor that it was a Christian film. The bad guys were caricatures, her boyfriend was pathetic, and the medical details poorly researched (hey, I'm a doc - I notice these things!), but it was fun, engaging, and mostly well acted and well written, with a message that did not feel forced or contrived, and with what felt like a natural relationship evolution between Nathan and Amanda through the film.

Perhaps the best evidence that this is a film worth watching: after it ended, I channel surfed a bit more, and came across a Girls Gone Wild adfomercial and VH1 music video. The contrast between the peaceful spirituality of the final scene in R to R and the raucous tawdriness of GGW and VH1 was stunning. I prefer the former. Much more.

A truly enjoyable film for the entire family. A must-see movie with a valuable message of hope. In a very creative and fun way, the movie sets out to show the spiritual road to redemption through the means of a crazy road trip full of mishaps and adventures. A truly refreshing film that makes you feel good and glad that you saw the movie.

"Road to Redemption," starring Pat Hingle, Wes Studi and Jay Underwood, is an above average Christian film. When compared to disgraces such as "Left Behind," this film looks like a masterpiece!

3/5 stars -- a bit emotionally manipulating at times, but still a clean family Christian film.

John Ulmer