My family was excited when we found this movie at the library. A Christian example of courtship?! It sounded great! But when we actually sat down to watch this movie, it didn't meet our expectations. Because this movie addresses the area of romantic relationships, I thought it fit into Project Love. =)
"Former frat boy, Clay Walsh (Rik Swartzwelder), has given up his reckless carousing and now runs an antique shop in a small Midwestern town. There, he has become notorious for his theories on love and romance as well as his devout beliefs. When Amber Hewson (Elizabeth Ann Roberts), a free-spirited young woman with a restless soul rents the apartment above his shop, she finds herself surprisingly drawn to his strong faith and noble ideas. Together, they attempt the impossible: an old fashioned courtship in contemporary America."
Details:
115 Minutes
By Pure Flix
Directed by: Rik Swartzwelder
Rated: PG-13
Released: 2016
Negative Elements:
Okay, so somehow we didn't see that the movie was PG-13 and did see that it was made by Pure Flix. We assumed that Pure Flix would make pure, family-friendly movies. Well, it wasn't.
First of all, the Lord's Name was taken in vain a handful of times. For me, that's enough to completely skip a movie. There wasn't as much foul language as many other movies, but really? In a Christian movie?
And then there was the adult content. Scenes of drinking and partying were scattered throughout the film. The movie focused too much on the topic of impurity and had sexual content. It made me squeamish, and I could tell that this was made for adults. I'm not going to get in detail, but it isn't a family-friendly movie. (As an older teen, I would have preferred not watching it either)
If all that hasn't turned you away (haha), the Biblical standards weren't very good. Although the cover references the passage in 1 Corinthians 13 (love is patient, love is kind), they never mentioned it. And (spoiler in white) the Christian character ends up becoming romantic with an unbelieving woman. She mentions once about Jesus' forgiveness...but nothing else. There is no radical change seen in the movie. This seems to contradict the verses in 2 Corinthians 6 that tell believers to not be unequally yoked. (end of spoiler)
My Review:
I feel like I'm sounding incredibly negative in this review. I do applaud the attempt that Pure Flix made to tell a Christian romance story. But for multiple reasons, I think they could have done better. Although this would be an okay movie for adults to watch, it didn't portray a Christian courtship well, in my opinion. Those of my family who watched it all agreed that Old Fashioned wasn't what it boasted to be.
I couldn't watch this movie again with a clear conscience. It would be wonderful to find a truly Christian example of courtship, but this isn't it.
Other Notes:
A more detailed review is available on Plugged In. I won't promise that they won't go too much into detail in some areas; use judgement, please.
And, if you found a movie that presents romance in a Christian standard, I would like to hear about it. I haven't had the chance to watch any in a long time. =)
Thanks so much for this review, Hosanna! This is good to know.
ReplyDeleteThe movie Princess Cut is a good, clean film on courtship. Definitely a recommend!
- Lilly Shyree (alillyingodsgarden.blogspot.com)
Another friend also recommended Princess Cut so it must be good. =) I would like to have the chance to watch it sometime.
DeleteGodly romances are hard to find nowadays, both in real life and in media. It's sad how twisted our culture's view of love is. All the more reason for us to stand up and share His Love with those around us!
Thank you for stopping by and dropping a comment, Lilly! I hope this reply finds you thriving in His Love... ♥
HEYA GIRLIE. It has been wayyyyy to long since I've chatted with you on here. *bangs head on keyboard* BUT NEVER AGAIN. xD
ReplyDeleteAwww, that's so sad! We really do need more clean, Christian movies, don't we? We need to start praying for laborers who God will raise up, so that they will make good, Christ-reflecting movies that will spread the Good News.
I don't think I have any recommendations for good Christian romance movies, but if I find any, I will definitely let you know!
How are things, Hosanna? It's been a while since we've corresponded on here! =)
-Ariel
I've missed you, sweet Ariel. =) But you were gone for a good reason. What an adorable baby you have!
DeleteAgreed! I'm thankful for those Christians who have stood up and portrayed the Good News in everything they do. It's so encouraging to find truly uplifting movies, books, blogs, and more that point us always towards Jesus.
I'm doing wonderfully! You? My life has been unpredictable and busy at times, but I'm excited where God's moving. Hopefully I'll give you a better update in my post on Tuesday. ;) *rubs hands together in anticipation*
I'm thankful for you, Ariel. Read Zephaniah 3:17 sometime for me. It shows how amazingly beautiful our Savior is. ♥
BUT NOW I AM BACK. xD He is such a sweetheart!! I carried him around for about a half hour today, and he slept pretty much the whole time. And then he decided to go and open his eyes when Mom took him. Such a stinker! =p
DeleteI know--it is definitely hard to do, though, since that is definitley not the status quo currently. But Christians aren't meant to follow the status quo, amiright? ;)
I am doing mostly okay...my relationship with the Lord is changing really quickly, and I just released some burdens that have really been hindering our relationship last night. <33 But I feel like Satan is working really hard to distract me from what is most important--I think he sees that with the stuff I am planning on doing in the school year, God has lots of potential to work in and through me, and so he wants to stop that. Please pray for strength for me!! =) I CANNOT WAIIIIT TO SEE WHAT GOD IS DOING IN YOUR LIFE THOUGH. Looking forward to the post on Tuesday!!!
I'm crazy thankful for you too, girl. <333 You're the best. And isn't He amazing?! <33
-Ariel
Aww! So sweet! =) I love your lil' baby.
DeleteThat's hard...when it feels like Satan is shooting arrows to keep you from God's calling. I know the feeling all too well. But remember? He is our tower of refuge that will never fail. And how beautiful that He is continuing to guide you ever closer to His heart. ♥ Praying for you, my sister. Remember that when we are weak, He is strong. Our failures give room for His glory to shine through! Keep releasing those burdens and letting Him carry you on. *hugs*
Oh yes. He is so very amazing. ♥
Love this movie! :) Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the movie, Tizzie, although I can't say I felt the same way. =) Despite that, I am glad that they attempted to portray romance in a Biblical way. It's an important area of life that's often confused and downplayed.
DeleteI haven't been as active here as I would like ever since school started up again. How are you doing, Tizzie? And how can I be praying for you? =)
Good review, Hosanna! There's this Christian book I like that they made a movie out of, and so I looked up the movie thinking it was going to be just as awesome, and I was horrified when Plugged In informed me that there was ALL KINDS OF FILTH AND PROFANITY. And I was just like, "What?! How?! Why?!" It was so sad, that they'd take a decent Christian book and twist it SO MUCH that no one who loves Jesus would ever want to sit down and watch the film based off it.
ReplyDelete*relaxes* All right, I'm done ranting XD I'm sorry the movie was a disappointment to you. I don't like it when the Christian label is slapped onto something and it turns out to have content that is displeasing to God, even if it's just little things here and there.
I know, Lila! It's terribly sad how twisted movies can become. =( One of my favorite books was turned into a movie that has a bad word and feels so dark. I can't stand to watch anything other than the beginning and end. =( I'm with you there.
DeleteWe, as Believers, need to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means not watching any movies at all. We can't start accepting these as "norms". "christian" movies especially need to actually display the Gospel. If we don't retaliate against the evil in media, will we really be different from non-believers at all?
Well, I'm ranting with you. =) It reminds me of a song I heard: Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss...
Thanks Hossana, for sharing your review. I know how you fell when this movie doesn't meet expectations. Some time I Watch online movies. But feel very disappointed when they doesn't meet my expectations.
ReplyDeleteYes Deepak, it can be disappointing when movies don't meet my expectations, but it's much worse when they don't honor God with their content. I would not have a problem watching a low-budget movie, however I can't watch a film that takes the Lord's name in vain or promotes sin, gay relationships, abortion, suicide, or anything else that's clearly contrary to Scripture. I want to honor God with my life AND what I let into my mind. That's so much more important than watching a well-done movie. Jesus is all that matters. =) Thanks for commenting, friend.
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