Courageous (2011)

[Billie Goodson]

A couple of weeks ago, I got to watch Courageous, the latest offering from the Kendrick brothers/Sherwood/Affirm/Provident. This movie will have the return of Alex Kendrick to a leading role. Alex is one of the two brothers (Alex and Stephen) that also brought us "Facing the Giants", "Fireproof", and "Flywheel". It is exciting to see that Sony continues to push these movies out through their "Affirm Films" brand and with at least three releases planned this year, they are showing a growing commitment to produce this genre.

This movie is based around a theme of the importance of fatherhood. We are introduced to some of the challenges of fatherhood through four characters, three police officers and a construction worker. I appreciated the characters, they all seem realistic and each seems to come with their own worts and virtues.

I thought the production qualities of this film were the best of the Sherwood offerings (Soul Surfer probably has the highest "production quality"). The acting seemed much smoother in this movie than the earlier Sherwood movies and the overall story line seemed to flow a little better.

I also appreciated that this movie tried to present a more realistic picture rather than having a complete "hollywood" ending. There were some moments where you thought they could have presented certain characters/story lines in a more positive "wholesome" light than the path they chose, but, I also think that their movie was better for showing us that not everything comes up roses for everyone.

This movie did have some really comical moments, and some very emotional moments too. Some of the humor bordered on cheesy (the "what is your full name" exchange was hilarious). I think the Kendrick's tried to balance the deepness of the emotion with a few light moments, because both are very common in our lives.

Overall, I really liked this movie. The question of "is being a good father" enough is central to our society. Not every father has a perfect beginning, but we make the choices that are our story. It is our story and we alone have the ability to change how that story gets written. The Kendrick's ask us as men and fathers to examine our lives and the families that we are entrusted and blessed with and consider the words of Joshua 24:15: But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

This film will release 30 September.

[Dana Grant]

Lindsey saw it tonight and told us that we would cry......

We'll be seeing it next week.

[Barbara Phillips]

Didn't get to see it while it was in the Theaters. Got it ordered from Lifeway and will get it next month in DVD.

[Mark Bolerjack]

Our church is showing this in two weeks on Sunday night.

[Jay Stiegelmeyer]

This movie was excellent. It's a must see for every Father.

[Roy Richardson]

This movie was excellent. It's a must see for every Father.

We are showing it around Father's Day

[Tami Martin]

Even though the "police officer loses daughter in car accident" part was WAY to close to life for us, Mike and I really enjoyed it.

Our church sponsored it on a Saturday evening and for any pastor considering this: PLEASE do not have your men sign a pledge like they did in the movie immediately after seeing the movie. This is emotional manipulation. In the movie, Kendrick's character tells the other guys that he doesn't want them to just sign. He tells them if they're interested to take it home and pray about it. I was at first angry with my husband for not going up with the crowd of men to sign a pretty packaged pledge. But then he explained how it wasn't just the too-familiar accident scene but the fact that as someone who was laid off for almost two years before finding temporary work, the Javier sub-plot was very difficult for him to process as well.

[John Reilly]

Our church is showing this in two weeks on Sunday night.

How much does the license cost for the church to show this movie?

[Ryan Scott]

How much does the license cost for the church to show this movie?

It's like $200 and it isn't included in the CCVI license.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I was at a Men's Retreat this weekend and we watched this the first night. I actually liked it better than I thought I would.

That guy looks like a Bizarro Dan Aykroyd. Or maybe Rich Eisen.

[Marsha Lynn]

I'm not a big movie fan but this one was the official event at a weekend gathering so I watched it. I suppose it's great from a male perspective. However, I realized that a consistent aspect of these movies is how weak the female characters are.

I suppose some would say that's good, that it provides needed balance for the times men come out on the short end in movies. Others would say that the wives are demonstrating proper Christian values by staying submissively in the background while their big strong husbands get the spotlight.

I came away feeling like I had played a similar supporting role in watching this movie with my husband. I guess if I were a proper Christian women that would bring me great satisfaction. But I'm not nearly that proper. I would have really appreciated the women and children being portrayed with more substance to them. (How many teens do you know who will sign on so readily to the "Father knows best as long as he's following God" line?)

Again, I'm not that fond of movies in the first place, which maybe changes my criteria for what makes for a good one.

Anyway, now I've seen it and will no longer have to listen to the rave reviews of those intent on persuading me to watch it.

Marsha