Review of I Can Only Imagine (2018) by Dauntless07 — 27 Jun 2018

Emotionally stunning and competent visually, this film is 10/10 material, and a breath of fresh air in a market saturated with terrible Christian films.

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I'm not going to discuss my religious beliefs, or nitpick how true to life the film was, because it makes absolutely no difference: you should see this film regardless. I can only Imagine is a recounting of the origin of the song by the same name. The story tackles an abusive father destroying his family with honesty and integrity. At no point is the audience told they should think a certain way about the situation; the film presents things as they are, and lets the viewer decide. I don't think I'm spoiling anything, (since the previews spoiled it,) but we obviously know the son will ultimately forgive his father going in. However, when and how that will occur is expertly handled, and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. When the moment does come, it is an emotional climax of a film full of heavy emotions. (Less stoic viewers would be wise to bring a box of tissues.).

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The Christian value of forgiveness is at the heart of the film. Without referencing ANY scripture, the film is like modern retelling of the Joseph story from Genesis, who was of course sold into slavery by his own brothers. At no point does the writer make light of how evil a thing his brothers had done, but when they reunite, Joseph realizes his brothers had changed for the better, and ultimately forgives them because "What you meant for evil, God used for good." In the same way, this film makes no excuses for the father's abusive behavior, and it's up to the viewer to decide if they can forgive him. We also see the consequences of choosing to forgive, that forgiveness in this case helped the victim as much as the abuser. It's a great message regardless of what you believe.

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Maybe you didn't notice this parallel at first, but I'll bet your brain did, and that's why this film is brilliant. Even though it could easily have "preached to the choir", quoting scripture ad nauseam, instead it shows why those stories are still relevant with a modern example. I could go on, but you get it by now, the story is great.

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The film is beautifully acted and shot. Dennis Quaid and J. Michael Finley do a stellar job at selling you completely on this world. The film has a lot of scenes shot as if the lighting were coming from heaven itself. The implication is clear, but again, the audience is never told what it should believe. Finally, the film is quite family friendly. There are distressing scenes depicting mild abuse, but the heavier things are either revealed through exposition or are implied rather than shown, (for example, the sound of the father beating his wife coming into the son's room.) I absolutely recommend you see this film if you are at all interested in Christian films.