Higher Ground (2011)

A chronicle of one woman's lifelong struggle with her faith.

Director:

Vera Farmiga

Writers:

Carolyn S. Briggs (screenplay), Tim Metcalfe (screenplay),

Stars:

Joshua Leonard, Norbert Leo Butz, Vera Farmiga

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joshua Leonard	...	Ethan Miller
Norbert Leo Butz	...	Pastor Bill
Michael Chernus	...	Ned
Vera Farmiga	...	Corinne Walker
McKenzie Turner	...	Young Corrine Walker
Donna Murphy	...	Kathleen Walker
John Hawkes	...	CW Walker
Matthew Dubas	...	Salesman
Taylor Schwencke	...	Young Wendy Walker
Jillian Lindig	...	Mrs. Tittle
Bill Irwin	...	Pastor Bud
Alden Rosakranse	...	Tim
Taissa Farmiga	...	Teenage Corinne Walker
James Noon	...	Kirk
Kaitlyn Rae King	...	Teenage Wendy Walker

Storyline

Vera Farmiga's directorial debut, HIGHER GROUND, depicts the landscape of a tight-knit spiritual community thrown off-kilter when one of their own begins to question her faith. Inspired by screenwriter Carolyn S. Briggs' memoir This Dark World, the film tells the story of a thoughtful woman's struggles with belief, love, and trust - in human relationships as well as in God.

---

Plot Keywords:

faith | marriage | fundamentalism | belief in heaven | born again christian | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 March 2012 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

Em Busca da Fé

Filming Locations:

Kingston, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$21,495 (USA) (26 August 2011)

Gross:

$841,206 (USA) (30 December 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BCDF Pictures, Group Entertainment, The, Ruminant Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

At the therapist's office, the wall clock is clearly not working as the second hand is not moving.

---

Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Favorite Films Based on Books (2013)

---

Soundtracks

"Souvenir"
Written by Spencer David Hutchings
Performed by Spencer David Hutchings

User Reviews

Rare Gem in Addressing Faith

Actor/Director Vera Farmiga plays middle age mother Corrine in this drama of a Christian woman's spiritual journey spanning three decades. In a scene that foreshadows the rest of the film, when attempting to learn to play the accordion Corrine is told, "maybe you haven't found the right instrument yet." Throughout the film Corrine seeks to find her self through various religious expressions during the 'Jesus movement' era. When her yearning for intimacy and authenticity is not found in the Christian community, Corrine journeys to find a faith that is true to herself and resonates with what she knows as truth.

Higher Ground is a rare gem in the midst of Hollywood's often shallow and stereotypical portrayal of faith. Screenwriters and filmmakers would do well to look to Higher Ground (both literally and figuratively) when exploring issues of faith. Truthful in its portrayal, Higher Ground neither demonizes Christians nor paints an overly rosy picture of what a life of faith and struggles with doubt look like. It is a quality, honest portrayal, which invites personal reflection and communal dialog. The quality production will draw you in and musical score will take you back to religious experiences of your youth. It would be hard to not be moved by this film and walk out inspired to continue on one's own faith journey wherever that might lead.