Abel's Field

With overt evangelizing kept to a minimum Abel's Field is not too bad of a family film produced under Christian auspices. Kevin Sorbo has the title role in the film playing a janitor and an unlikely role as mentor to young Samuel Davis. Davis is all of 17 years old and the unlikely guardian of his two 7 year old twin sisters.

Working 2 jobs and then three courtesy of the football team and their idiot coach Davis becomes an assistant to Sorbo as they fix up the sprinkler system for the center of the town, the high school football field. All over the bible belt high school sports, most of all football is the other religion these people follow.

I was actually pleasantly surprised that a film marketed for this area could portray high school sports so negatively.

Sorbo and Davis have some nice scenes together. Abel's Field is good family entertainment.

I like the real dialog. The awkward moments and the fact that there are families out there that face these situations is unique to see on the screen. There are situations where teens are faced with adult life---times they aren't prepared for. I hope people see this and realize the opportunities they have to love their neighbors and make a difference. Kevin Sorbo does a great job and Samuel Davis has the tools to take the next step in the movie industry. Great watch for families lending to the opportunity to talk about real life moments and how God is there for them. I'm not a huge advocate of the dating model, but this movie is done well. There are no inappropriate scenes to fast forward through and this was refreshing. I recommend the film and will highlight it on my radio show. God will bless through this program.

It is very rare that I will give a full ten out of ten for a movie but in "Abel's Field" this is so strongly deserved.

A most excellent strong drama something that many of us will identify with the problems that we meet in life and how we cope with them from the eyes of a young guy to an older guy so different but both facing similar situations and able to give support & strength to.

The Producers have adapted the script to well, used an amazing small town in Texas called Thrall all real sets and they all add to delivering a great movie.

But the two leading actors both deliver first class roles, from the older guy Abel played by Kevin Sorbo who many will recognise from his many party to the young guy Seth, Samuel Davis one of the best upcoming young actors that I predict a great future for. Kevin Sorbo may not have a lot to say but he works so well with Samuel Davis as Seth, Samuel really is spot on with his portrayal of Seth a young guy that many will really identify with and one that you will feel for in his position in life that has come his way.

As I started we all look for a second chance so often in life, for that redemption "Abel's Field" is so strong and delivers from start to finish!

What a great drama "Abel's Field" is! Released in 2012, the story revolves around 17 year-old Seth (Samuel Davis) whose mother is dead and his father is no where to be found. He's forced to be the parent to his twin 7 year-old sisters. His cold half-brother is following in his father's alcoholic footprints. Seth is bullied at school by the football team and their bossy coach (Richard Dillard), but finds solace with a popular girl at school, Katie (Nicole Elliott), and -- surprisingly -- with the school's loner maintenance man, Abel (Kevin Sorbo).

Like all great dramas, "Abel's Field" captivates your attention in the first act and you find yourself in the world of the characters. As the story progresses we discover why Seth is mistreated at school, but it's thankfully not spelled out (it has to do with jealousy, rivalry and sectarianism, the moronic "Your not one of us" mindset). You'll notice, incidentally, that the players only confront & attack as a group and never alone. It's a microcosm of the mob mentality, not to mention they're too cowardly to attack one-on-one.

Three relationships are the focus: Seth's fatherly relationship with his sisters and his developing relationships with Katie and the mysterious Abel. Speaking of Abel, Sorbo is excellent here in an atypical role. His likable joie de vivre is completely absent in favor of a quiet, brooding spirit.

The message of the film is A+ all the way and the overt references to God and faith are refreshing, but they're not so overt to turn-off those who don't believe, so don't let this factor deter you if you're amongst the latter. This is simply an inspiring film for everyone, except maybe atheists (or perhaps them most of all, lol).

Those looking for a faith-based film that shows a conventional family environment might want to steer clear (not that there's anything wrong with those types of films; check out the excellent "Cutback" for a quality film of that sort). "Abel's Field" shows the awful truth of broken & dysfunctional families in the modern Western world and the negative repercussions thereof. Thankfully, that doesn't mean that there isn't any hope; but the proud individualist must be broken, both for Seth and Abel.

I also like the fact that the film shows that the mentors we stumble across in life are there to mentor us in one way or another, but we shouldn't make the mistake of idolizing them, no matter how great (or small) the mentor is, he or she is still a flawed human being who just so happens to be further on in their spiritual journey, at least in the area we need help in.

Another thing I liked: Just because someone's in the "mentor" role doesn't mean the "mentee" can't mentor the mentor in one way or another. And a worthy (humble) mentor will receive from the mentee when applicable.

One reviewer referred to Nicole Elliott, who plays Seth's potential girlfriend, as "overweight." Wow, nothing could be further from the truth; in fact, this isn't even remotely true. Check her out in the film and see for yourself. It's idiotic statements like this that drive women and girls into anorexia and it totally ticks me off! If anything, Nicole could stand to gain some weight. Regardless, she's uniquely beautiful, a refreshing alternative to the stereotypical hot blond cheerleader type.

The film runs 104 minutes and was shot in Thrall, TX, which is about 20 miles NE of Austin.

GRADE: A

I know that Christian movies are looked down on by many.....but I don t care. This was a good movie offering hope.