Fireproof

[Bonnie_Ty]

Has anyone seen the movie yet? I highly recommend it; it saved my marriage.

[rossid]

Really? I did not now that..

Praise God!

Well is it $10 at Best Buy through today and I got it with a couple other flicks. I'm going to stick them all in a mother's day gift. FP is more for both of us.

[Musicdude]

Has anyone seen the movie yet? I highly recommend it; it saved my marriage.

You can buy the Love Dare book on Amazon.com. I am doing it right now.
Our marriage wasn't on the rocks, but we could definitely improve.

[middletree]

Happy to hear about your marriage, Bonnie.

As so-called Christian movies go, it was better than most. I had some problems with it, but its heart was in the right place.

[Musicdude]

Happy to hear about your marriage, Bonnie.

As so-called Christian movies go, it was better than most. I had some problems with it, but its heart was in the right place.

Without derailing the thread, what problem did you have?

[The Unknown Gomer]

Without derailing the thread, what problem did you have?

Actually, I had some issues with it as well (which I posted about in my "what's the latest movie you've seen" thread), so would also be curious as to what James' (James's? ;)) were...

[middletree]

Probably the big thing was that both the husband and wife were wrong; specifically very prideful, yet the message was that only the husband needed to confess, repent, and make it right. It was implied that her sin (almost adultery) was the husband's fault.

[cheewiee]

Probably the big thing was that both the husband and wife were wrong; specifically very prideful, yet the message was that only the husband needed to confess, repent, and make it right. It was implied that her sin (almost adultery) was the husband's fault.

In the end, she turned, and apologized for her attitude/pride though...

[The Unknown Gomer]

Probably the big thing was that both the husband and wife were wrong; specifically very prideful, yet the message was that only the husband needed to confess, repent, and make it right. It was implied that her sin (almost adultery) was the husband's fault.

That was pretty much my beef with it as well... to save me some typing, here's part of what was in my other post after I saw it a few weeks ago:

"My only grievance that she didn't seem to feel the need to apologize for anything, that all the issues in their marriage were all HIS fault, when she had a fairly goodly number of things to apologize for as well. And why not let her in on why he was doing all the things he was doing for her; things might have gone a LOT smoother if he'd told her, then they could have worked on working it out together."

I just don't get why it seems to be a one sided process. IMHO, marriage is a "together" thing; I would think, then, that working through the process together as a couple would be a good thing. 'Course, what do I know, I'm single, and surrounded by divorced - in some cases, multiple times - family members. :rolleyes:

[Bonnie_Ty]

I agree; it did seem one-sided. I didn't like her attitude, for the most part (whiny, selfish, etc.), but the underlying dynamics were good.

Btw, my marriage fell apart. The movie's affect lasted only a short time. He wasn't sincere about his feelings, or anything else for that matter. So, I've started packing and I'm leaving. I will not take his abuses any longer...

[middletree]

Oh my. I am truly sorry to hear this Bonnie.

[Bonnie_Ty]

Thanks.

[middletree]

I just don't get why it seems to be a one sided process.

Because on today's culture, it's much easier to come to the conclusion that it's the man's fault.

[cheewiee]

Because on today's culture, it's much easier to come to the conclusion that it's the man's fault.

See I don't get that out of the movie at all. The movie is about a marriage that over time has come undone. I think they (filmmakers) made it pretty clear that both were complicit in their situation. Both pulled away, and let other things become more important than the other.

[middletree]

In the end, she turned, and apologized for her attitude/pride though...

Did she? And if she did, did she go through the process that Kirk's character did? Did it really portray her as being equally at fault?

In the grand scheme of things, when taken into context, of how our culture views men (as problems that need to be solved, as weaklings who need to be taken care of by their much wiser women), this movie fell into the trap that so many sitcoms, movies, and (most important) real-life attitudes do: it regarded the man as the cause of the problems (which is, in the case of this story, somewhat accurate) but also responsible for the failings of everyone else in the movie (absolutely not true).

[cheewiee]

Did she? And if she did, did she go through the process that Kirk's character did? Did it really portray her as being equally at fault?

In the grand scheme of things, when taken into context, of how our culture views men (as problems that need to be solved, as weaklings who need to be taken care of by their much wiser women), this movie fell into the trap that so many sitcoms, movies, and (most important) real-life attitudes do: it regarded the man as the cause of the problems (which is, in the case of this story, somewhat accurate) but also responsible for the failings of everyone else in the movie (absolutely not true).

Yes it did portray her as being equally at fault. Remember the scene when she was talking to her friends about the divorce, she said something, "I bet he thinks this is all of a sudden" or something along the lines that. She noticed their marriage going a wrong direction, sometime before the start of this movie, and instead of talking about it, clearing the air, she let it build.

They were in two marriages, one with a dissatisfied wife who's communication left MUCH to be desired, and one with a guy who is tired of being disrespected by his wife.

The movie was about the both of them realizing that they were complicit in the state of their marriage. They focused on Kirk Cameron's character, because 1 I think he was the better actor, but 2 because his character was learning about what love is really all about. And that is the story of the movie, what is love really all about. And I think they conveyed their message well.

[middletree]

We'll have to agree to disagree, then.

[Evanescence]

Stubborn scriptwriter here...

Great plot and story...pathetic screenplay. An 8th grader could have done better...

It was filled with all kinds of aweful cliche's...man watches porn, wants a boat...saves the day by donating the money to her mother etc etc. Please....

It was one sided...bordering on feminism...the woman was never in the wrong and her arrogance was looked at to be funny. The sub-plot... the new guy at the firehouse was nearly forgotten.

A producer/director who produces "christian" films that I have had discussions with said it was dreadful....its heart was int he right place, but the director and writer need to be tarred and feathered for putting it out.

I could have written a better script in an afternoon, half lit. It was sad.

[middletree]

That's the thing with Christians. Most of us will put up with substandard stuff if we just slap the "Christian" label on it.
I've often wondered if someone produced a bad-tasting "christian" soda and slapped the name of Jesus on the can, if people wouldn't pretend it was good.

Facing the Giants, made by the same people as Fireproof is another example. A good story is in there somewhere, but the actual movie was not good, and the acting for certain actors in both movies was awful.

Having said that, Fireproof was better made than FTG, so it appears those guys are improving.

[cheewiee]

It was filled with all kinds of aweful cliche's...man watches porn, wants a boat...saves the day by donating the money to her mother etc etc. Please....


I get the awful cliche's part, and I agree there...

It was one sided...bordering on feminism...the woman was never in the wrong and her arrogance was looked at to be funny. The sub-plot... the new guy at the firehouse was nearly forgotten.

See, I just don't get that. I have seen the movie twice, once with just my wife, and again in small group. Both times comments were made (not just by me) about the wife's horrible attitude.

In the small group setting a woman made the comment that she (the wife had no reason to complain about the porn when she is having an emotional affair at work), again, when the wife was talking with that lady, and she got snappy because the lady told her some plain truth, someone mentioned that she was a prideful beo....

The movie highlights Kirks character, because the movie is about love, and what love means. The movie isn't about respect, and what respect means, although even in the very end when when you see the reconcilliation, she doesn't tell him that she loves him, she says that he is a "Good Man" and gives him the very respect he has been craving...

Is this movie 5 Stars? no the acting needs improvement, the dialogue was could have been MUCH better, but I really don't see how it portrays her in some favorable light. When confronted with issues in her marriage, she turns inward instead of to her husband, and she remains closed up until the Dr comes into her life and she opens up to him. She is shown as being haughty, petulant, and prideful.

[Evanescence]

I'm a little harsh on it...the fire scenes were pretty well done...and the story was cool....I even got a little choked up at the end...

The cliche's wreaked of feminism, IMO....and many of the scenes and dialogue was "on the nose"

Less is more....

It was in the script..not the acting...

[middletree]

It was in the script..not the acting...

Really? I saw some bad acting, too. Especially the one who played the wife. Not as bad as the guy who played the kicker's dad in Facing the Giants, but similar.

[Evanescence]

But, the script and director PRODUCE in a sense, the actors. if they suck, they need told about it...and it needs to be fixed.

Thats why guys like M. Night Shymalan do 100 takes of one scene...to pick out the best one of the 100...to find the magic. But, the script can help the actor get into character.

The girl was beautiful, BTW..looked just like a girl I went to school with...

The dork at the firehouse was a poor actor..and the director allowed it....

[Musicdude]

Probably the big thing was that both the husband and wife were wrong; specifically very prideful, yet the message was that only the husband needed to confess, repent, and make it right. It was implied that her sin (almost adultery) was the husband's fault.

That's not what I got. I got the message that husband needed to show his wife unconditional love, even though he was not the only one at fault. And when he did that, it changed her attitude from bitterness back to love.

I don't think the movie was saying that the wife was innocent. I think it was just saying that as the spiritual leader, he needed to show her unconditional love, and treat her as he wanted to be treated, and she would follow his lead, which she did.

[Musicdude]

That was pretty much my beef with it as well... to save me some typing, here's part of what was in my other post after I saw it a few weeks ago:

"My only grievance that she didn't seem to feel the need to apologize for anything, that all the issues in their marriage were all HIS fault, when she had a fairly goodly number of things to apologize for as well. And why not let her in on why he was doing all the things he was doing for her; things might have gone a LOT smoother if he'd told her, then they could have worked on working it out together."

I just don't get why it seems to be a one sided process. IMHO, marriage is a "together" thing; I would think, then, that working through the process together as a couple would be a good thing. 'Course, what do I know, I'm single, and surrounded by divorced - in some cases, multiple times - family members. :rolleyes:

She wasn't willing to work on it, and I don't think she woud've believed he was sincere if he did explain all that to her. She needed to see his action, not hear his words.

As someone who is married and been on the verge of divorce a couple of times, I can say that sometimes you just have to lead by example. You have to quit trying to get your spouse to see why what they are doing is wrong, and start focusing on your own actions and attitude. You get right with God first, and 9 times out of 10 they will change their attitude once they start being treated with real unconditional love. After fights in which both sides were in the wrong, it's hard to always be the one to apologize first, and make peace. But I'm sure it was hard to die for the sins of the world too. But He is the one was are called to emulate as husbands.

[Musicdude]

Stubborn scriptwriter here...

Great plot and story...pathetic screenplay. An 8th grader could have done better...

It was filled with all kinds of aweful cliche's...man watches porn, wants a boat...saves the day by donating the money to her mother etc etc. Please....

It was one sided...bordering on feminism...the woman was never in the wrong and her arrogance was looked at to be funny. The sub-plot... the new guy at the firehouse was nearly forgotten.

A producer/director who produces "christian" films that I have had discussions with said it was dreadful....its heart was int he right place, but the director and writer need to be tarred and feathered for putting it out.

I could have written a better script in an afternoon, half lit. It was sad.

Porn may be cliche, but since it's a real problem for 99% of men, I don't think it was innappropriate. And the acting wasn't spectacular because the budget was extremely limited, as it has been with all their movies so far.

[Musicdude]

That's the thing with Christians. Most of us will put up with substandard stuff if we just slap the "Christian" label on it.
I've often wondered if someone produced a bad-tasting "christian" soda and slapped the name of Jesus on the can, if people wouldn't pretend it was good.

Facing the Giants, made by the same people as Fireproof is another example. A good story is in there somewhere, but the actual movie was not good, and the acting for certain actors in both movies was awful.

Having said that, Fireproof was better made than FTG, so it appears those guys are improving.

Unfortunately there isn't as much money in Christian movies. That is why it is substandard. I'm sure if they had a million dollar buget it would've been much better, but who's gonna fund that? And if it were, wouldn't many say it was a waste of a million bucks which would've been better sent to missionaries or something like that?

[Musicdude]

Really? I saw some bad acting, too. Especially the one who played the wife. Not as bad as the guy who played the kicker's dad in Facing the Giants, but similar.

I think many of the "actors" in both movies were just members of the author's church. I think Fireproof had a bigger budget than past movies, but still not much.

[Musicdude]

I agree; it did seem one-sided. I didn't like her attitude, for the most part (whiny, selfish, etc.), but the underlying dynamics were good.

Btw, my marriage fell apart. The movie's affect lasted only a short time. He wasn't sincere about his feelings, or anything else for that matter. So, I've started packing and I'm leaving. I will not take his abuses any longer...

Very sorry to hear that.

[Bonnie_Ty]

Thanks, MD. It's so hard to leave and I keep questioning if I'm doing the right thing, but I know I am. I told him last night I was leaving and by his unemotional response I know I'm doing the right thing. It's hard to face that you have wasted part of your life with someone who doesn't love or respect you...

[Evanescence]

Sorry to hear that...

I am pretty jaded at people....not very trusting and not surprised by much. I find that if you you put too much faith in people, YOU will be let down...becuase most times..people will fail you.

My mom and dad betrayed me long ago...and think nothing of it. When your own mom sells you down the river...why would anything else surprise you?

Good luck and be strong....remember you are only responsible for YOUR part...and you're not alone....people get divorced and be at peace if you have done all you can do...

[Bonnie_Ty]

Thanks, Evanescence. Yes, I've done all I could do. I too am jaded by people...

[Pouye]

Thanks, Evanescence. Yes, I've done all I could do. I too am jaded by people...

Have you (and or your husband) gone to marriage counseling? I'm just curious if that is part of the "done all I could do." And is your husband a believer?

You don't have to answer on the forum here, or at all. I know this is personal. But without knowing the situation it feels very difficult to know how to even respond.

Rock

[Pouye]

My review:

Good story line, but with too much filler.
Plagued with poor acting, but not so much by the main characters.
Sub-plots were sometimes lost, but others held together.
Many of the actors (aside from Kirk) seemed plastic, robotic and under-animated (the Christian ones), while other actors seemed over-animated (usually the secular ones).
Still got the emotional buttons pressed, so it was worth the ride through the sea of filler, cliche's and corny sub-plot acting.
Communicated the Gospel well.
Communicated grace well.
Seemed slightly biased toward women in one sense in that it was portrayed as the man's fault for the marriage going sour, when it really seems like a breakdown in communication from both sides. It also showed men as stereotypically physical, having to yell and throw temper tantrums and break things to express frustration. (I couldn't relate to that, but some men could).
Since neither one was a believer, it assumes that only by becoming believers can a marriage be good and/or successful. As it is true that being believers in Christ and truly understanding the grace of God can surely help to make a marriage all that God intends it to be, there are secular people who have good marriages. Since Christian and secular marriage tend to fall apart at about the same rate, being a believing couple isn't the cure-all to marriage woes.
My rating: C+
Rock

[Bonnie_Ty]

Rock,

We have been through marriage counseling several times, with several counselors, all to no avail. He claims he's a believer, but something in my spirit has told me differently from the moment we said, "I do"...

[Pouye]

Rock,

We have been through marriage counseling several times, with several counselors, all to no avail. He claims he's a believer, but something in my spirit has told me differently from the moment we said, "I do"...

Thanks.
Sorry, I know this is personal and painful.

Praying for the outcome God would have,

Rock

[onesawthelight]

Rock,

We have been through marriage counseling several times, with several counselors, all to no avail. He claims he's a believer, but something in my spirit has told me differently from the moment we said, "I do"...

Will pray for you. Having been through divorce, I know how tough it is.

God bless

Greg

[middletree]

I just saw Facing the Giants a 2nd time. I was rough on it the first time, especially because i felt that it preached a prosperity gospel. But on 2nd thought, it didn't, really. The main characters (coach and his wife) did yield to God by saying that whatever plan He wants is what they will embrace, which is actually not a WOF way of thinking.

I was right about how bad the acting was, though.

[Bonnie_Ty]

Thanks, Rock and Greg. I'm doing alright, honestly. Without God, I'd be a mess. Hugs to you both.

[onesawthelight]

Thanks, Rock and Greg. I'm doing alright, honestly. Without God, I'd be a mess. Hugs to you both.

I'm glad to hear it...without God...I would never have made it.
He is always there...always cares...we need only invite Him in.

[ccorley78]

First of all, Bonnie, I'm so sorry to hear this and I will pray for you & this situation. It is never easy to learn you've basically wasted such strong feelings for someone just to have it not turn out in the end. I pray the Lord bless you with wisdom and courage and you begin the next journey of your life.

I did like the movie. I think that it was made pretty well, acting wasn't that bad but I'd seen better. The thing about it to me was whether it portrayed the make or female in taking most of the blame, no matter how differently it could have been made, one side would always have a gripe about it. If it had been played the other way around, then the women would be griping. So really you can't win for losing.

I am grateful for any christian movies put out there these days. And if someone thinks they could do a better job at making one, i'd hope that they would. We need more. Whether or not the label is "slapped on" there, or its made "half lit", at this point, I'd watch it anyway and take my chances. Thats just my opinion tho.

[Bonnie_Ty]

I'm glad to hear it...without God...I would never have made it.
He is always there...always cares...we need only invite Him in.
Amen, so true.

[Bonnie_Ty]

First of all, Bonnie, I'm so sorry to hear this and I will pray for you & this situation. It is never easy to learn you've basically wasted such strong feelings for someone just to have it not turn out in the end. I pray the Lord bless you with wisdom and courage and you begin the next journey of your life.

I did like the movie. I think that it was made pretty well, acting wasn't that bad but I'd seen better. The thing about it to me was whether it portrayed the make or female in taking most of the blame, no matter how differently it could have been made, one side would always have a gripe about it. If it had been played the other way around, then the women would be griping. So really you can't win for losing.

I am grateful for any christian movies put out there these days. And if someone thinks they could do a better job at making one, i'd hope that they would. We need more. Whether or not the label is "slapped on" there, or its made "half lit", at this point, I'd watch it anyway and take my chances. Thats just my opinion tho.

Thanks for your prayers and concern. I am doing pretty well; one day at a time...

I agree...