Review of Facing the Giants (2006) by Robin M — 22 Oct 2010

I hated this movie! You can curse me as much as you want but I have to be honest. I am a Christian, yes, and I don't object to movies having a spiritual message as long as they earn it truthfully, but Facing the Giants has no values whatsoever with reality. Alex Kendrick clearly has no idea how to write or direct movies in any fashion and his actors don't bring any emotion into the characters either. The champion team obviously known as the Giants are portrayed so dishonestly that I can't imagine any football team acting so cruelly towards the underdog like that. Many scenes in the movie like the one with the small aspiring athlete who is discouraged by his tough father (if I can remember it right) are so corny that they play more for laughs than tears. If the coach can come back from the brink of possibly being fired after six years of losing by reading the Bible or searching his faith in the Lord, I'm amazed that none of God's miracles helped us out like he did. It's more difficult than you might think it is. God is always there for you when you need him, but he won't come down to you like a genie in a bottle.

I have not yet seen a movie that stays true to one's faith without having to use any ancient Hollywood cliche to deliver the message across. I understand that this wasn't a Hollywood production, but as a church project from Georgia I should be amazed that it even made it to the big screen. Maybe if it was a local church screening it would have gotten aclaim somewhat, but it doesn't have the potential of being in the same boat as other independant films. I'm sure Kendrick means well but he should have gotten some help with making the movie. Because this is his second feature he might have better experience next time. Now that's something he could ask God to guide him with, not just for the predictability of it.