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113 out of 163 people found the following review useful: Very thought provoking, 22 September 2008 Author: punitivedamages from United States
Hollywood is great at letting us participate in the victories of those who conquer long odds, whether it's sports movies in which the underdog wins the championship or even movies about unlikely romantic pairings (geek meets beauty) that end happily in, say, a wedding. But we see few movies about the joy we feel in conquering the mundane - like in making a marriage work after both sides have lost the motivation to do so.This is a movie that shows us how hard it is to revive a near-dead marriage, and why it matters so much. Yes, there is a religious context to the movie. A partner in a healthy marriage, we are shown, struggles to emulate the selfless love and service of Jesus by loving and serving his or her spouse, as Jesus would. But the religious aspects of the movie ought not keep away those who are religion-averse. Selfless love and service as the keys to a joyful marriage are not exclusive to any religion.A great movie for married couples - very thought provoking.
75 out of 97 people found the following review useful: Life imitates life with a twist, 27 September 2008 Author: cosnjs-1 from United States
Making a movie that tackles real life marriage problems head on is challenging, and not always easy to watch. Horror, violence, spoofs, fantasy, love stories, biographies offer easy escapes. Fireproof exposes the isolation that can occur between 2 people who started out loving each other, but over time disconnect, become self-absorbed and fall into a pattern of hurting each other. The relational pain finds some comic relief, and there is a job-related diversion. But help comes in the form of a 40 day dare to love. While you may not agree with the faith-based approach, there is no doubt that unconditional love is transforming. I was deeply moved... enough to take the dare myself.
98 out of 148 people found the following review useful: A fireman who firmly believes that you never leave your partner behind has his beliefs challenged when his marriage begins to fall apart., 6 June 2008 Author: greg-prosch from United States
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
When I received an invitation to attend a screening of this film I though to myself, "Oh great… Another one of those low budget Christian films that's poorly scripted and has sub-par acting." After watching the film I am pleased to say that I couldn't have been more wrong.I was impressed by how well they portrayed everyday struggles and temptations instead of going out on a limb with plot elements that weren't relevant to the everyday person. It was easy to relate to the characters, to feel their hope and disappointment. At the same time, they added larger-than-life aspects that created suspense and made for a very entertaining movie experience.Most notably, I thought the movie showed the value of marriage and communicated hope that each of us could enjoy a more fulfilling marriage relationship if we were willing to make personal choices to achieve it.
88 out of 131 people found the following review useful: Highly recommended for married couples!, 27 September 2008 Author: kentmeister from United States
Here's how this film "imitates life": if you LOOK for flaws, you'll find some, but if you look for blessings, ways to challenge yourself and opportunities to grow, you just may find those, too.The action sequences are exceptionally well done. A few good laughs are sprinkled in for good measure. Come Oscar time, you won't hear a word about "Fireproof", but come anniversary time, you'll be glad you and your spouse saw it.This film will not resonate with everyone, especially if you approach it from the mindset that there are no simple truths. But anyone with a less-than-perfect marriage could benefit from seeing it--and that includes all of us, doesn't it!?
88 out of 136 people found the following review useful: A Great Movie!!, 28 September 2008 Author: Lazerwolf from United States
I found Fireproof to be entertaining as well in convicting. Most of the acting was realistic and sincere, even if it was not professional. Within a very short time the story had me so involved in the characters lives that any minor flaws were not noticed. As in their previous movies, the Kendricks brothers had me crying, laughing, cheering, and, during the action sequences, on the edge of my seat.Being a Christian, I was not turned off by the message(s) of faith in Christ that are an inherent part of Sherwood Pictures productions, and I didn't feel like that aspect of the movie was being shoved down my throat. It is presented, laid out before the audience, and is there for you to take it or leave it. If you find occasional conversations about God, Jesus, or spiritual matters offensive, then be warned, you may be offended on occasion. I'm sure there are plenty of movies at your theater that push loose morals, profanity, and obscenity that you can choose if this is not your cup of tea. But if a message of being good, kind, and loving doesn't frighten you, I highly recommend this movie.At times I saw myself on the screen, as most of us can relate to some level of tension in marriage (or any relationship). The principles behind the message can work in most situations – whether or not you are a Christian. And I believe people of any marital status can learn valuable lessons from this movie and be entertained at the same time.An interesting side note - I heard in a couple different interviews that Kirk Cameron auditioned for this part like all of the other volunteer actors, AND was a willing volunteer himself - pretty much quieting the skeptics who claim he (and others) were making this movie to line their pockets.
70 out of 111 people found the following review useful: Christians and Non-Christians alike should take a hint from this movie, 26 September 2008 Author: purplejoy716 from United States
I just got back from seeing this movie opening night. Of the 300 seats, 100 of them were presold and we were told to get there early. I was excited to hear that so many people were supporting this movie on its opening weekend. It's message will hit close to home with so many people. With the high divorce rate these days, I agree that all people should view this movie. I'm not married myself, but it touched me so much because I saw in it the relationship my parent's have had for years. And while it focuses on the husband changing his ways in order to win back his wife, it also touches on wives changing their ways to win back their husbands. There may be many stereotypes shown in this movie, but that comes with movies trying to touch the world. Without stereotypes, we might not understand it so well.Overall ratings: Plot - 10, Cinematography - 9, Acting - 6 (due to using only one professional actor, kudos to the church members for holding their own)
46 out of 66 people found the following review useful: It taught me something about my own marriage, 26 September 2008 Author: DR-9 from Radnor, PA
This movie is in the same honest, non-glitzy, straightforward style of its predecessor from the same team, "Facing the Giants," a film I loved. It tells the story of a marriage headed for dissolution, which is turned around when the husband makes a commitment to God and his wife. Kirk Cameron is a revelation (and if you saw him as a cocky sitcom star in "Growing Pains" in the late 80s/early 90s you will be amazed) as the fireman husband who gets respect everywhere but at home, and has never asked himself if he deserves it. At the urging of his father, he agrees to take forty days before seeking divorce, and work through a book called "The Love Dare." This book offers a new suggestion for deepening the love relationship to be followed every day, together with short, related Bible verses. At first Cameron's character just goes through the motions, but as time goes by, helped by his parents and a fellow fireman, his love is transformed and renewed. Is it to late to reach his alienated wife?Uplifting but real, the movie will inspire many married people to commit more deeply to their marriages. Truly worthwhile.
100 out of 174 people found the following review useful: Ignore the nattering nabobs of negativity, 28 September 2008 Author: abchulett from United States
I am a born-again Christian. I am also somewhat of a film snob who counts movies among his favorites that are decidedly R rated (I have no problem with sin being presented in movies as long as it's not presented as something good), and some of my favorites are over 100 years old. Just to let you know where this review is coming from.With "Fireproof" the Kendrick brothers have matured. Their first film, "Flywheel," was a wonderful story with almost no budget, and amateurishly done. Then came "Facing the Giants," which was pretty good but ultimately forgettable. "Fireproof" finally puts together solid production values, mostly topnotch acting, and a very nicely written script that includes some clever plot twists.Yes, it is explicitly Christian in its message. Yes, it upholds the sanctity of marriage and celebrates a man fighting for all he's worth to win the love of a wife who's filing for divorce. Yes, there are two or three moments where the sentimentality goes just a bit over the top.If any of these statements about "Fireproof" close your mind to it, that's your loss, but God bless you as you pass on this one to go see something lighter or edgier. But I promise you, I was very pleasantly surprised at just how good this film is.Highly recommended for anyone old enough to appreciate the opposite sex.
37 out of 57 people found the following review useful: Amazing!, 28 September 2008 Author: FilmObsession from United States
I long waited for this movie and finally saw it. A really moving Christian faith based movie and one that I will highly recommend. The story is well executed and it develops wonderfully. What I liked was that it didn't take preference over gender but showed flaws from both the husband and the wife. Having problems with your marriage? This movie can lift your strengths to continue and not give up on the commitment that was made for life. Planning on getting married? This is a perfect movie to show what it takes to carry a marriage through think and thin.It was refreshing to have a new lead, Kirk Cameron, and he did a wonderful job. I give him props for the life he has chosen, when many other actors/actresses choose money and fame he chose a better road.
49 out of 83 people found the following review useful: Married folks - watch this film, 28 September 2008 Author: roymacmillan from United States
Anybody who is married should see this movie because we've all had bumps in the road along the way.Fire department Captain Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) is valued and respected everywhere he goes, except at home. His wife Catherine (Erin Bethea), overwhelmed by her career and her mother's inability to communicate, doesn't feel loved by him; and Caleb's withdrawal of love, along with her inability to respect him cause them to pursue divorce.Upon finding out about their troubled marriage, Caleb's dad asks him to hold off proceeding with the divorce to make one last effort to save his marriage, a forty-day experiment called, "The Love Dare." Caleb reluctantly agrees to it, and forgetting it took years to dig the hole that their relationship is in, he is upset when it doesn't work immediately. For reasonable reasons, she doesn't react to his efforts at first.Will Caleb continue to keep going even though she refuses to believe he'll change? Can his dad's love and guidance keep him believing? Will God save their marriage, and make it healthy again? These are the questions that this film answers.
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