Facing the Giants (2006)

Director:

Alex Kendrick

Writers:

Alex Kendrick (writer)
Stephen Kendrick (writer)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Tagline:

...With God, all things are possible...

Plot:

A losing coach with an underdog football team faces their giants of fear and failure on and off the field to surprising results.

Plot Keywords:

Faith | Coach | Football | Football Team | Football Coach

Cast

Erin Bethea	...	Alicia Houston
James Blackwell	...	Matt Prater
Bailey Cave	...	David Childers
Shannen Fields	...	Brooke Taylor
Tracy Goode	...	Brady Owens
Alex Kendrick	...	Grant Taylor
Jim McBride	...	Bobby Lee Duke
Tommy McBride	...	Jonathan Weston
Jason McLeod	...	Brock Kelley
Mark Richt	...	Himself
Steve Williams	...	Larry Childers
Chris Willis	...	J.T. Hawkins Jr.
Ray Wood	...	Mr. Bridges

MPAA:

Rated PG for some thematic elements.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG | Singapore:PG | Germany:o.Al. | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Albany, Georgia, USA

Company:

Carmel Entertainment

Trivia:

Mark Richt, the head football coach at the University of Georgia, has a cameo in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When David is about to kick the 51 yard field goal in the championship game and his dad stands up, the camera pans back for a wide angel and the dad is the only person in that area. Then in a matter of seconds a man is right next to him asking if he needs help; this same man then magically disappears again and reappears deep within the stands to cheer for the field goal a few seconds later.

Quotes:

Grant Taylor: Lord Jesus, would you help me? I need you. Lord, I feel that there are giants of fear and failure staring down at me, waiting to crush me. And I don't know how to beat 'em, Lord. I'm tired of being afraid. Lord, if you want me to do something else, show me. If you don't want me to have children, so be it. But You're my God. You're on the throne. You can have my hopes and my dreams. Lord, give me something. Show me something.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Fireproof (2008)

Soundtrack:

Stained Glass Masquerade

A Sunday Sermon Comes To Life On the Gridiron

Well, this movie was a shock to see and to hear. Among the thousands of mainline films I have watched over many years, this is the first I've seen with a modern-day story that was unapologetically Christian. It actually used Jesus and God's name as you would hear in a sermon in church. Of course, the fact that "Hollywood" didn't make this film is understandable; it was produced, directed, written, etc., by a Baptist church in Georgia.

But - surprise - it's available in good quantities at the video stores and actually has the production values of a big-budget Hollywood film. In other words, this looks nice and, for the most part, is adequately acted even though amateurs do the acting. The only one I thought sounded wooden, unfortunately, was Alex Kendrick playing the main character: coach Grant Taylor, the Shiloh Christian High School football coach. Kendrik directed and wrote this film, so kudos to him for all that wonderful work....but an actor, he ain't. Real-life University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt makes a guest appearance and he sounded very relaxed and convincing, as a professional actor would sound. They should have given Richt the main role!

Yes, the story is hokey, especially at the end at the last football game, but what Hollywood movie isn't? It's just a little far-fetched to anyone who knows football. At any rate, the action scenes were well-done and very realistic looking.

To see a movie with this many inspirational and profound Biblical statements was a "revelation" and really nice to see (hear). Hokey or not, there are several moments in this film that should drive most viewers to tears. If not, check your pulse.

The main message of the movie: "All things are possible with God," is a good one and one everyone, including Christians, need to be reminded of periodically. Secular people who don't want to hear anything positive about God or the Bible, or who are just plain biased against Christians, will hate this film and wouldn't last 30 minutes watching it. I have a very good friend who is in that category and I couldn't recommend the film to him, because he'd be in the bathroom puking his guts out after a half hour. However, if you are more tolerant, or are a follower Of Jesus Christ, then you will find this film inspiring and emotional and worth your time.