calling men to honor
What happens when 21st century men choose to be the men God has called them to be? What does it look like when Fathers take responsibility for their families and become the spiritual leaders God designed them to be? How do men live, work, and lead with integrity and courage in a world of crumbling families and compromised standards? These are the questions the latest production from Sherwood Pictures tries to answer. From the creators of Fireproof comes the convicting story of four men who choose to be Courageous.
Law enforcement officers Adam, Nathan, David, and Shane are heroes on the streets of their southern hometown. But when it comes to leading their families, they struggle to live courageously. When tragedy strikes his seemingly well-ordered life, Adam begins to reevaluate his role as a husband, father, and leader in his home. He resolves to become the man God wants him to be. When he asks his friends and coworkers to keep him accountable in his new resolution, the four of them embark on a journey that will change their lives and revolutionize their families. They choose to overcome childhood scars and past mistakes and strive for a Biblical standard of manhood.
Just as their 2008 release of Fireproof called for a renewed view of Godly marriage, the Kendrick brothers’ latest production calls men to be honorable leaders at home. Courageous, in theatres September 30th, 2011, is a film that will inspire Christian men to lead their families well.
The Kendrick brothers themselves are an inspiration. Their passion for using film to communicate God’s Truth has brought their filmmaking far. Beginning with Flywheel in 2003 their work continually improves. They base their films on solid Biblical principles and produce them with uncompromising moral standards. Their work is a breakthrough in the independent Christian film movement.
Courageous is no exception. With fairly good writing, character development, and overall production quality, this film tops Sherwood Pictures’ Facing the Giants and Fireproof. It includes several impressive action sequences, compelling emotional performances, and some humor. Brief portrayals of gang violence and allusions to drug trafficking earn it a PG-13 rating, yet it remains a family-friendly film.
Courageous’ main weakness, however, is an overuse of dialogue. Extended monologues cut into the film’s pacing some. This may cause average audiences who are looking for entertainment rather than exhortation to lose interest. Non-Christians may call its presentation of overtly Biblical themes “preachy.” This is natural, though, since the message of Courageous is ultimately directed to Christian fathers who should take seriously their God-ordained role of raising the next generation of leaders.
It’s a much needed message in the American church. If Christians heeded this call to courage, it would make a huge difference in our generation. Though its pointed message won’t appeal to everyone who walks into a theatre, Christians will find Courageous both convicting and encouraging.
- Grace D Williamson