Christian film review: analyzing I Still Believe (2020)
Christian film review: analyzing I Still Believe (2020)
In 2020, The Erwin Brothers’ emotional true story, I Still Believe, debuted. Spoiler alert! This review shares information about the significant moments of the story. If you’d prefer, watch the film first and then read this to see if you agree with us. Here it goes!
After slipping past the guard at a concert on the first day of college, Jeremy Camp—a young aspiring Christian musician—spots Melissa, the girl of his dreams, while tuning a guitar. From that moment on, he puts everything in his life aside to prove his eternal love to her, even during dark days. This rites-of-passage story between two star crossed lovers is filled to the brim with clearly defined and demonstrated emotional moments. Take the scene, for example, where Jeremy proposes to Melissa in a hospital church after learning she’s been diagnosed with incurable cancer. He is filled with blind hope that she will get better and this emotional depiction of being awestruck with her continues throughout the story.
In another scene, Jeremy tells the crowd at his concert about the Bible story of a woman who sought after Christ’s cloth to be healed. This scene includes his asking everyone to touch Melissa and commit an act of healing hands—and another emotional scene is of the couple’s beautiful beach wedding. Each of these moments depict an overwhelming sense of hope that everything will be okay in the end as they drive off into the sunset, but the story doesn’t end there.
On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum is a lingering feeling of dread. For example, take the scene where Melissa learns she can’t have children because of surgery she must undergo to survive, or the scene of frustration where she throws plates across the kitchen while dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy—not to mention the singular moment during their honeymoon when she is rushed to the hospital after coughing up blood and Jeremy learns her cancer is back, worse than ever before.
As you can see, this film showcases a variety of incredible emotions. Laughter is found in the scenes where the two dance in the library. Sorrow is felt when Jeremy plays Melissa the last song she’ll ever hear. Satisfaction exists when Jeremy’s mother gives her engagement ring to him as an acceptance of Melissa. Then, there is the moment that sums up the story’s entire emotional rollercoaster.
After Melissa’s death, Jeremy turns to his father, a pastor, and asks for an understanding of why God would do this. Jeremy’s father shares insights into how struggle is promised and suffering actually refines faith. You have to appreciate what you had, he shares, instead of focusing on what you lost.
Who Should Watch I Still Believe (2020)?
Watching this movie could be a powerful experience for couples who have been dating on a long-term basis or are married. This film demonstrates how faith can be kindled and grown when two people share that commitment. This film is also recommended for people dealing with loss of purpose and a lack of direction in life. It can cause you to think about your purpose and how it’s up to you to live your life in a way to discover and fulfill that purpose. This film needs to come with a tissue box included! It’s rated PG for mildly frightening scenes and, if children are present, parental guidance is suggested.
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