It's a shame that Persecuted has so little going for it while so much at the same time. I didn't really have any expectations for this film due to its low rating and it is by no means as bad as some people say it is. However, even looking at it from a Christian standpoint, Persecuted has little making it anything above average.
James Remar does the best he can with this script as does most of the cast. He does convey a broken man on the run for his life reasonably well, however it's the script that brings him down. There's nothing particularly bad about the script, but there's nothing special to be said about it.
I can say good about some particular scenes. Moments like Luther's dad being killed in this awesome long take, the ending where Luther has to make a decision whether to kill the FBI agent to save the cop lady. There are things that underpin Persecuted and try to lift it up, but ultimately not much can get it out of the mud that it was written in.
From a Christian standpoint, Persecuted comes off as having some sort of victim mentality. Yes Christians are persecuted across the world, yes they are sometimes persecuted in the West (I have seen it myself), but its never good to wallow in that victimhood and unfortunately it creates an outlook on this movie that makes me think I've got some kind of target on my back. If it's not told in an interesting and compelling way, I can't really feel for it.
Can I say there's nothing to like about this film? Not exactly. I'm certain there is something here for anyone, Christian or not. But not much sticks with me in a film that feels like the whole world is out to get it.
James Remar does the best he can with this script as does most of the cast. He does convey a broken man on the run for his life reasonably well, however it's the script that brings him down. There's nothing particularly bad about the script, but there's nothing special to be said about it.
I can say good about some particular scenes. Moments like Luther's dad being killed in this awesome long take, the ending where Luther has to make a decision whether to kill the FBI agent to save the cop lady. There are things that underpin Persecuted and try to lift it up, but ultimately not much can get it out of the mud that it was written in.
From a Christian standpoint, Persecuted comes off as having some sort of victim mentality. Yes Christians are persecuted across the world, yes they are sometimes persecuted in the West (I have seen it myself), but its never good to wallow in that victimhood and unfortunately it creates an outlook on this movie that makes me think I've got some kind of target on my back. If it's not told in an interesting and compelling way, I can't really feel for it.
Can I say there's nothing to like about this film? Not exactly. I'm certain there is something here for anyone, Christian or not. But not much sticks with me in a film that feels like the whole world is out to get it.