Review of Fireproof (2008) by Quentin T — 03 Dec 2009

This is such a film which you rather won't mind the film-making techniques but rather just focus on its internals, the vital message it conveys, and its aftermath, so to speak. At first, it really does not invite a good film ambiance with a cinematography like that of "The Bold and the Beautiful" series, etc. It has actors that are most likely taking you to a primitive world of acting with their memorization of scripts and then acting it out in front of the camera. Don't get me wrong either, this film has an excellent protagonist actor Kirk Cameron who seems to have such an easy approach to situations and making them well-acted. The film has only two types of characters, the lovable and despicable ones. You either love them or you hate them fully. The protagonist Caleb (Kirk Cameron) is such a lovable character; like what his father said, Caleb is not a quitter. He determinates fondly on what he must do and naturally a tough-hearted man.

Caleb and Catherine (Erin Bethea) are in the verge of a broken marriage. They are about to have a divorce and the deadline is fast approaching. As days go by, the two just indulge themselves in a nerve-wracking drama of discontentment and painful distress. They are people who have just realized that they are not happy anymore, so why continue their marriage if it would only cause retreat of happiness to both of them. It is a simple thought that people ought to think when in situations like that. But this film enthralls its audience to the thought that marriage is as sacred as a lifetime commitment to God. Marriage should be based on commitment and not by contract, as the priest in the end part has said.

First, we see some related situations that the plot suggests us to see. Some thirty minutes we spend to discover characters. Their significance to the story and more to the message, and observe what each secret agendas are, if there is any. Caleb and Catherine are in the initial stage of losing their love for each other. Caleb easily gets pissed-off and tends to break household things; which seal a negative impression to us. On the other hand, Catherine tends to divert her attention unintentionally with another guy who most likely to possess her ideals. Dr. Gavin Keller is such character with hateful amount of self-confidence and distrustful looks whom Catherine slowly falls in love with.

A plot based on human effort is a sure shot heavy drama. Happy ending from a heavy drama is an inspirational one. A lot of Asian films are relatively like that, which ironically is a Western tradition.

In some fancy ways, "Fireproof" has sustained its energy from the beginning up to the end of the film. Although it has simple thoughts, a much simpler understanding is needed to find the truths the film biases. As a viewer, you get to see the inner selves of the characters as one by one being subjected to the fires of temptation, disbeliefs, and secular wants. It is a film of so much positivity in it; you cannot oblige yourself to say something negative. It is a Christian film that establishes a good marriage relationships to couples since too many today don't understand what their passion is about.

The title is derived from being a withstanding force against all damaging sources of unfaithfulness and being not committed. It explores a broken relationship and promulgates the grace of God by resuscitating it. "Fireproof" exclaims the constant changing environment the world has become and offers new ideals for good relationship.

Elements of this film are good, bad, or okay. Good because it conveys a positive message; bad because it's too positive that we stick to the idea of ideals; okay, because it concluded the way expected. Basically, the plot is as simple as having our weekend television teen inspirational dramas which we know the ending by intuition but we keep watching it because it excites our imaginations so well. But forgive my eloquence, I'm just putting an honest opinion about the plot and being an ardent psychologist of some sort.

Sam Mendes' "Revolutionary Road" is such a film with a true essence of a broken relationship, with each other characters' effort to fix it, later ends with a tragic drama. Another Mendes' film that is quite a good presentation of giving the information that in a relationship, if both are willing to leave, it is hard to give up pride, is "American Beauty". But in "Fireproof", it is conveyed that pride is not a single thing compared to love.

"Fireproof" lets us think of a long term goal, a relationship that really lasts a lifetime. It establishes ideals that are far too concerned with the positive spectrum of the human emotions. It teaches us to love one another, follow the words of God, and be the advocate better relationships.

"Fireproof" is such a joyous film about the greatness of God, and how He works in us. It is touching experience, although the theme is nothing new, with expected viewpoints. But once you get involved with it, just forget everything, and rediscover what God has stored for us.