These days in American Christian Filmography it appears that the only thing that would be considered "Old Fashioned" would be a hopeful expectation for a Christian movie in which the viewer can enjoy the development of a love story uninhibited with post-modern agendas! For the born-again Christian viewer, this movie presents some serious issues.
Although an ideal setup for a blooming romance film with all of the correct elements one would hope for: a small American town, excellent filmography with use of proper lens filters to set the moods, distinct believable characters, and even some chemistry with the main love interests; the agenda just seems to be far too distracting. With a name like Old Fashioned, the targeted Christian audience likely assumes that the movie will be a decent romance film promoting some traditional values in romance. Wrong! The film was marketed to Christians was it not? To a degree this film does promote traditional values, but yet at the same time derides them openly which causes confusion.
Each character seems to represent some kind of stereotype in the world of modern American relationships. The main male character represents a man who was a 'frat boy' in his college days, but later became a born-again Christian after realizing that the riches he obtained from making a spring break porno movie was immoral. He also apparently hurt a woman that he loved by rejecting her, which led her to rebound into another relationship which led to an early unforeseen pregnancy and marriage to another man. From past hurts he apparently decides to accept Christ, to go in the opposite direction to a more conservative idea of high standards, and rejects dating altogether. This man has two main friends which appear in the movie as side characters. One man is a college friend who has lived with his girlfriend for 8 years and has one child with her. It is unclear if he is born-again, but nevertheless he decides to get married, which leads one of the main subplots in the movie. The other man is a radio host who represents the stereotypical male chauvinist who chides women and takes advantage of them while deriding anything having to do with Christianity. The main female character of the film represents a woman who is somewhat spiritual but not religious, who has a questionable past, and is introduced to the viewer by moving into the small town after it is later revealed that she is on the run from past relationships. Two other minor characters are also introduced as her co-workers: one young free-spirited feminist woman who has very open relationships (portrayed as hooking up with bad boys in the bar), and another who is a bitter thrice divorced feminist type character. These characters have some influence on the main female character. Finally, the main man's aunt is introduced as a wise sage-like figure that can apparently speak the truth into her nephew's life. (It is unclear if she is a born-again Christian) So, with each character introduced the main plot builds around the romance between the new woman and the main man and how their various interactions with side characters effects the relationship. Seems standard enough for a romance film.
But, alas! Now we are ready to be indoctrinated. Clearly this film portrays the main character as the ideal moral Christian man, yet at the same time portrays him as antiquated as well as unrealistic. Throughout the film most characters deride this man for his 'high' ideals. At one point he heroically walks out of a bachelor party, which gives his friend courage to do the same! It is clear that he is a strong Christian man. Yet at the same time there is a scene in which he derides going to church. Surprisingly enough, though the man's main love interest derides him for his standards as well, she is also strangely attracted to him. It is quite obvious that she is the pursuer in this relationship, which is quite a spin on the traditional male pursuit in dating relationships. She clearly sends the signals and orchestrates events to catch the man throughout the film. (This film clearly promotes women as being strong leaders, while men are weaklings.) Throughout the film it is quite unclear if the main woman in the film is even a born-again Christian! She appears to be very bitter about past relationships as well as confused about her spiritual status. One event in the movie leads her to read her bible out of sorrow, however it is quite unclear if she is born-again or becomes born-again. Toward the end of the movie when the main female character's sexual past is revealed to the man during a conversation, he apparently rejects her. This would make sense to the Christian viewer that has biblical standards! In real life most Christians with biblical standards would not even date someone that was not clearly a born-again believer! Yet, the agenda of the film moves into full swing at this point. After the man rejects the woman he is confronted by his aunt. His aunt (unknown if she is born-again) essentially intimidates, manipulates, and pressures the man for holding to his standards. (Does not the bible indicate that non-Christians will reject Christian standards?) She essentially calls him a coward which is an obvious challenge to his manhood. After thinking about his Aunts intense tirade he does a complete 180 change from his standards and trusts his feelings for the main female character instead! The last scene is somewhat confusing, for the film goes from the main character rejecting the love interest to setting up a detailed romantic place to propose marriage to the love interest of the movie! This seems to imply that frills and gimmicks in a relationship (temporary romantic setup for engagement) are more important than unresolved issues in a relationship. (Past sexual issues, Being a born-again Christian, bitterness, etc.) Of course she accepts him, thus ending the movie.
Although an ideal setup for a blooming romance film with all of the correct elements one would hope for: a small American town, excellent filmography with use of proper lens filters to set the moods, distinct believable characters, and even some chemistry with the main love interests; the agenda just seems to be far too distracting. With a name like Old Fashioned, the targeted Christian audience likely assumes that the movie will be a decent romance film promoting some traditional values in romance. Wrong! The film was marketed to Christians was it not? To a degree this film does promote traditional values, but yet at the same time derides them openly which causes confusion.
Each character seems to represent some kind of stereotype in the world of modern American relationships. The main male character represents a man who was a 'frat boy' in his college days, but later became a born-again Christian after realizing that the riches he obtained from making a spring break porno movie was immoral. He also apparently hurt a woman that he loved by rejecting her, which led her to rebound into another relationship which led to an early unforeseen pregnancy and marriage to another man. From past hurts he apparently decides to accept Christ, to go in the opposite direction to a more conservative idea of high standards, and rejects dating altogether. This man has two main friends which appear in the movie as side characters. One man is a college friend who has lived with his girlfriend for 8 years and has one child with her. It is unclear if he is born-again, but nevertheless he decides to get married, which leads one of the main subplots in the movie. The other man is a radio host who represents the stereotypical male chauvinist who chides women and takes advantage of them while deriding anything having to do with Christianity. The main female character of the film represents a woman who is somewhat spiritual but not religious, who has a questionable past, and is introduced to the viewer by moving into the small town after it is later revealed that she is on the run from past relationships. Two other minor characters are also introduced as her co-workers: one young free-spirited feminist woman who has very open relationships (portrayed as hooking up with bad boys in the bar), and another who is a bitter thrice divorced feminist type character. These characters have some influence on the main female character. Finally, the main man's aunt is introduced as a wise sage-like figure that can apparently speak the truth into her nephew's life. (It is unclear if she is a born-again Christian) So, with each character introduced the main plot builds around the romance between the new woman and the main man and how their various interactions with side characters effects the relationship. Seems standard enough for a romance film.
But, alas! Now we are ready to be indoctrinated. Clearly this film portrays the main character as the ideal moral Christian man, yet at the same time portrays him as antiquated as well as unrealistic. Throughout the film most characters deride this man for his 'high' ideals. At one point he heroically walks out of a bachelor party, which gives his friend courage to do the same! It is clear that he is a strong Christian man. Yet at the same time there is a scene in which he derides going to church. Surprisingly enough, though the man's main love interest derides him for his standards as well, she is also strangely attracted to him. It is quite obvious that she is the pursuer in this relationship, which is quite a spin on the traditional male pursuit in dating relationships. She clearly sends the signals and orchestrates events to catch the man throughout the film. (This film clearly promotes women as being strong leaders, while men are weaklings.) Throughout the film it is quite unclear if the main woman in the film is even a born-again Christian! She appears to be very bitter about past relationships as well as confused about her spiritual status. One event in the movie leads her to read her bible out of sorrow, however it is quite unclear if she is born-again or becomes born-again. Toward the end of the movie when the main female character's sexual past is revealed to the man during a conversation, he apparently rejects her. This would make sense to the Christian viewer that has biblical standards! In real life most Christians with biblical standards would not even date someone that was not clearly a born-again believer! Yet, the agenda of the film moves into full swing at this point. After the man rejects the woman he is confronted by his aunt. His aunt (unknown if she is born-again) essentially intimidates, manipulates, and pressures the man for holding to his standards. (Does not the bible indicate that non-Christians will reject Christian standards?) She essentially calls him a coward which is an obvious challenge to his manhood. After thinking about his Aunts intense tirade he does a complete 180 change from his standards and trusts his feelings for the main female character instead! The last scene is somewhat confusing, for the film goes from the main character rejecting the love interest to setting up a detailed romantic place to propose marriage to the love interest of the movie! This seems to imply that frills and gimmicks in a relationship (temporary romantic setup for engagement) are more important than unresolved issues in a relationship. (Past sexual issues, Being a born-again Christian, bitterness, etc.) Of course she accepts him, thus ending the movie.