Review of I Can Only Imagine (2018) by Najd G — 17 Aug 2018

The movie attempted to merge 19 year-old Bart and 27 year-old Bart into one sequential narrative and the result was an awkward-looking 30 year-old actor in a high school uniform. The core problem is the movie changes enough details from the real story that it doesn't feel like truth is being represented here.

It matters that there was a separation of 7 years (not days) between the time Arthur died and Bart writing the song. It matters that Bart had a brother who endured this suffering with him. It matters that the impetus for Arthur's abuse was a tragic work accident (not alcohol).

It matters that Arthur became a Christian before Bart was singing worship sets at churches (and that it wasn't Bart who led Arthur to Christ). It matters that Bart had 4 years (not a few months) with his dying, born-again father.

It matters that Amy Grant gave the rights of "Imagine" back to Bart long before a dramatic on-stage change of heart in front of hundreds of people. The true story of how "I Can Only Imagine" came to be is heartwarming in itself; there was no need to Hollywoodize this story.