Review of Old Fashioned (2014) by Lawrence J — 23 Feb 2015

Where do I start? There is much to say about this film. It's funny, romantic, dramatic and satisfying, to say the very least. It's everything a film should be. The moment it began it grabbed my attention. And it kept my attention till the end. Most films that are "Christian based" are assumed to be boring and have many corny scenes. I along with many associates have found none in Old Fashioned.

Old Fashioned really does what it was created to do. It brings back "old fashioned romance". What this film recognizes is that romance has everything to do with your belief and your morale ethics. The characters Clay and Amber are two ordinary people, trying to discover what romance really is, under the scope of old fashioned values. Instead of the reckless pursuits of the majority of young adults who in many cases fall prey to hurt and suffering.

This film is for everyone, not just Christians. Jesus is brought up at several points. Clay is clearly a believer and Amber is obviously on the road towards a deeper faith in God. But one thing this film needs credit for is respect and privacy of the viewer. This film does not shove Christ down your throat. Yes it promotes values found in the Bible. But you don't leave the theater feeling like you were being preached to or that this film is the result of evangelism. And guys... That's a big deal. Rik Swartzwelder, the director, seemed to really try and make this a multicultural friendly film. And if we all want to be honest for a moment, many Hollywood films are not friendly to every culture and faith. Which brings me to my last point.

Just as respect for the viewer is important, even more so is respect and the privacy of the actors and film crew for any film production. For example, every actor has their own beliefs and boundaries. And believe it or not, many actors come from a Christian background. Many directors and film producers really press their actors to do things that are just not appropriate. Not only inappropriate, but can be uncomfortable and even violating.

Rik Swartzwelder said in an interview, "there is no story that can't be told". And he is right. The question is how do we tell it? To what lengths do we go? Are there boundaries and limits? In the same interview Rik said that "there are places you can go as an actor that are psychologically damaging. And an actors psychological damage is not worth our entertainment". This could not be more true.

This film not only promotes good old fashioned romance. It also promotes professional film making. It raises the standard of how actors and crew should be treated. This is a film that the whole family can watch. And I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't see the gold in this film. Old Fashioned isn't just a romance. It's the beginning of true entertainment.