Steps of Faith

I am a cynical guy but I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Chrystee Pharris delivers a powerful performance as a young woman (Faith Houston) certain she's had an epiphany, a call to work at a horse farm in rural Texas which is dedicated to "hippo therapy" - helping challenged kids by introducing them to the love of horses. A lot of changes are in store for Faith, involving a whole strange gamut of experiences and emotions which are dramatic, funny and emotional, testing her confidence, courage and her faith. But it's all part of her transformation from cluelessness to wisdom. It's a simple, refreshing little movie filmed on location in various parts of Texas. The supporting cast is superb - with nice appearances by Ted Lange (Love Boat) and Tracey Ross (Passions). Kudos to all who pulled this independent project together and especially to Ms. Pharris in this her first star turn.

One fine day while Pastor Ted Lange is having Sunday family dinner his daughter Chrystee Pharris announces that she's up and moving to a small Texas town to work on a ranch where autistic kids are brought out of their shells through contact with horses. One might think that the Deity might pick someone who knew ranching, horses, and kids. She's a wash in all departments. But Pharris says God himself spoke to her on the matter.

She's not accepted by owner Gail Cronauer, but the top hand Charles Malik Whitfield thinks she's worth giving a chance to. Pharris starts literally at the bottom mucking out stalls. She even gets used to the aroma she first complains about.

It's a Christian movie so Steps Of Faith will observe certain parameters. But it is entertaining.

I wouldn't be so dismissive about the Deity talking to folks. He may say things to some he wouldn't say to others. And of course it ain't always the Deity talking. The asylums are full of those people.

But not here.

The film Steps Of Faith, by writer-director M. Legend Brown, features a large & talented cast: Charles Malik Whitfield (The Temptations), Chrystee Pharris (Passions, Scrubs), Ted Lange (The Love Boat), Tracey Ross (Passions), and Irma P. Hall (Soul Food, The Ladykillers). It's a great mix of Texas and national talent.

Steps Of Faith is a faith-based film that has a broad religious theme that I think would appeal to many fans of family fare. It's a Christian film that's not just for Christians although I think that's who will pick up on much of the humor the most (the comparisons of African American and Caucasian churches within the film are pretty brilliant). To a mainstream secular audience, though, Steps Of Faith is a romantic comedy that works for the entire family - in fact there is even some family drama included as part of the plot.

That plot involves Faith Houston (Pharris) who takes off to a small Texas town after she quits her job as a leap of faith. In desperation Houston takes a job as a farmhand at the 'Steps Of Faith' farm, a therapeutic outlet for kids and their families that employs hippotherapy to help special needs kids. It is a type of therapy that includes riding horses to improve motor skills & the well-being of children; it's a similar concept to the famous quote (I paraphrase) "There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse." Unfortunately, Houston has some problems with the farm - namely, she's not good with kids or animals. That's where a lot of the comedy comes in. She also has doubts about her own faith. There's the drama. However, Whitfield provides the romance and does so quite skillfully.

The story is multi-layered, the scenes are realistic since almost everything was shot on location, and even the music - including the music of the Southern church, sounds great. One woman that was at the same showing I was said she didn't realize how funny it would be. She also mentioned that she liked it since she got the message of the film but wasn't "beaten over the head," by didactic storytelling. If adults are looking for a "good, clean" movie yet one that could also be watched by kids Steps Of Faith would make an excellent choice.

Its 2021 and I am just now watching this movie. I use to see this movie come across my firestick and say " that looks like a good movie" lol never clicking "watch now" to really see. Go figure. I did this for years (2or3) then as a turn of events happened in my life. I came across the movie again and for some reason I felt drawn to it. Needless to say I watched and have just fell in love with it not really because of the "love story" but the servant hearts and the need to follow GOD'S voice into the unknown to find a beautiful full circle of abundance that exhuberates the service of GOD. Don't want to spoil it for those who haven't watched but for me it spoke my current situation and gives me hope to trust GOD'S voice and answer HIS call, so I guess one can say I watched right at the perfect time. Awesome movie! Great job! Thanks!

Sometimes good characters desiring to do good is enough. I think I'm tired of war, violence. Real stories are so much more interesting. Good, safe movie for the family.