A couple of my first thoughts as I watched this movie were:
Wow! What is it with people who are so exasperatingly obstinate and belligerent? It REALLY almost physically feels like beating your head against a brick wall, it’s so frustrating and infuriating. You cannot reason with people like this, they will not be told, they will not HEAR, and they are all about control. This is Ricky’s father in this movie.
I am amazed at how easily we manipulate the word of God to say what we want it to say, how quickly we run after control instead of laying down self and stepping into the willingness to practice kindness and compassion, to look for the best interest of others instead of staying so stuck on what we deem best.
Ricky’s father is a pastor and he’s determined he knows what is best for Ricky and it isn’t baseball. He’s sure God has called Ricky to preach despite the love Ricky has for the sport.
Ricky was born with a degenerative disease of his spine and wears leg braces to support him and help him walk. Even if his father would support his baseball dream, it seems so many odds are against him.
There were a couple places I laughed out loud. Overall, the movie carries a more somber feel as Ricky battles his health issues, bullies, and his own father’s refusal to let him pursue his dream of baseball.
Dennis Quaid does a good job playing Ricky’s father and he certainly made me exasperated! 🙂
I really liked the relationship between the siblings in this movie. All three of them cheer for each other. Ricky’s brother especially shows character in his kindness and support of his brother. He stands up for him despite their father’s fury and even at his young age he senses his father’s stance is wrong.
The movie carries the themes of resilience and perseverance as the story unfolds and we watch Ricky grow.
I was also struck with the beauty brought to the world by good and healthy dreams and passions. The beauty in the unique talents and life-giving interests woven into us.
I am more than bit tired of supposed “Christian” leaders who preach loud and long but don’t actually have the love of Jesus change their lives and their immediate families suffer for it. Perhaps as we continue to tell truths and share stories we will rip away the shiny, happy facades people have been burdened with and see the light of the true Gospel shine through.
I was glad to see an arc of redemption begin to happen in Ricky’s father.
May we have the introspection in our own lives to find our own shortsidedness sooner rather than later. May kindness carry the day.
Watch the movie trailer here and go watch it in theaters beginning August 25!
Enter the giveaway below for an Amazon Gift card. Hooray!
A great, big thank-you to Briarcliff Entertainment, LLC for providing a sample of the product for
this review. Opinions are completely my own.
Fundamentalism by definition is living by the Word of God in full. There’s no shame in doing so, but we never need to do so fanatically. Literal interpretations of God’s word can ultimately lead to taking its wisdom beyond actual context, but the good news is that God can point you to what is truly there versus what isn’t. It’s not that fundamentalism has never been a part of my faith background (because it has), let alone that it’s a bad thing when properly executed (in other words not made into fanaticism), but God has already shown me that the truth definitely sets me free if I take hold of it as intended. I love to proclaim the power of redemption!
Hallelujah! Here’s to proclaiming the power of redemption.
Thank-you for defining your interpretation of fundamentalism.
Here’s my definition of terms ~ Fundamentalism is a worldview characterized by the application of a strict literal interpretation of scriptures, dogmas, or ideologies, along with a strong emphasis on the importance of distinguishing who is in and who is out. An attitude of us against them. There tends to be an emphasis on a set concept of “purity”, and a desire to return to a previous ideal. There is a similarly strong sense of watchdogedness and strict rules to keep people from “straying.” Fundamentalism is often used in the context of religion to indicate an unwavering attachment to a set of irreducible and unchangeable beliefs. A sense of having everything figured out and no room for any other interpretation or viewpoint. A system that actually reduces people and their human embodiment and does harm to our souls. It relies heavily on law, forfeits grace, and abandons the overwhelming arcs of love and kindness carried throughout all of Scripture.
It helps to understand our experiences and viewpoints when we understand our definitions.
Thank you for being here!
I love and appreciate many things about the denomination I grew up in, but I also see so much that is narrowminded and fundamentalistic and falls away from Scripture and becomes about manipulation and power.
No, that was not taught in my family. I want to share this movie and hope with my sons.
No fundamentalism wasn’t part of our faith background.
I’m so glad. I have friends who had a much different experience in their denomination of origin than I did, and than I see told by many, and I’m always glad to hear their stories.
I guess it probably was part of my growing up, but recently in my faith journey I have discovered Jesus loves me no matter what and man-made rules about what makes a person good or a “true” believer are not necessary direct from God.
Amen, my friend!
Here’s to a fun filled Friday!
Yes indeed! May your weekend be delightful!
not really
No, I didn’t grow up in a religious family.