Review Summary: Gripping, emotional and effective music biopic raises the bar for faith-based filmmaking.
The Erwin Brothers have become the new Kendrick Brothers of Christian movies. With each movie, they have continued to grow as filmmakers. They created a simple (and hilarious) family comedy with Mom's Night Out. Then they did the inspirational football/historical drama Woodlawn, which ranks as one of not just my favorite Christian movies, but also one of my favorite sports movies.
When I came out of I Can Only Imagine, however, I definitely find this to be their most impressive effort yet. From the subtlety and nuance in the story's decisively tougher and harsher elements, to some impressive storytelling choices, their evolution as filmmakers is very evident. The film feels more like a big studio effort, rather than just another independent production.
Part of that can be accredited to the terrific cast they assembled. As Bart, Broadway actor J. Michael Finley impresses in his big screen debut. He sells his performance with both humorous and truly heartbreaking moments. He also proves to be an excellent singing double for the MercyMe lead singer (not to mention, there's also a quick nod to his Broadway job). As his father, Dennis Quaid gives the best performance I've seen out of him to date. His character's gruff and harsh persona clearly intimidates from the start, but later convincingly shows a true change of heart (an act of God, no doubt about that).
Besides Arthur's redemptive story, the film also shows a dramatic character shift in Bart as well. The Erwins could have given Bart a "holier than thou" persona. But, one other strong element I appreciated was that Bart still is shown to have his issues too that he works through. When MercyMe starts, we find out he shows too much of an ego from time to time. But, through mending his relationship with his dad, he learns to love, forgive, and to focus on others. The latter part especially becomes evident when (spoiler alert) he decides to give up his song for Amy Grant to perform (spoiler ending). In this as well, he also comes to terms with his girlfriend, Shannon.
Speaking of Shannon, Madeline Carroll also gives her best performance of her career so far. She's encouraging, positive, and has a down-to-earth spirit about her. Trace Adkins is also a very nice touch as the band's future manager. He provides strong doses of both humor and heartfelt motivation. On the downside, Priscilla Shirer (War Room) and the legendary Cloris Leachman are given so little to do you almost forget they are in the movie. Now, they most certainly excel in what they are given to do. But, seeing their names on the poster on the way out, I really was wishing we had seen a little bit more of them. Even Amy Grant is more fleshed out here (Nicole DuPort proves to be a great find to portray the veteran Christian artist).
In the meantime, the film's script keeps the abusive details of the story to a nuanced level, with most of it discussed in dialogue rather than seen on screen. This was intentional to keep the film at a PG rating, but there's still enough visual implications and overtones to give off a gritty, dreadful environment. But, explicit or not, the film still succeeds in inducing chills and extreme sympathy. Serving double duty as a screenwriter and the composer of the score, Brent McCorkle gives the film a strong (yet subtle) score that wisely doesn't rely on the beats of the song that inspired it.
The film is tempted at times to become an unfocused, two-plot film as MercyMe hits the road. But the film never quite feels disjointed. A few flashbacks during Bart's childhood as he struggles to achieve his dream helps keep the film together. And the film doesn't linger for way too long on this part of the plotline either. The film doesn't drag, and keeps you glued. There's also a handful of moments of well-placed humor that never feel forced or out-of-place.
That being said, some of the camerawork is a little awkward in a few of the film's more heated and intimate scenes. However, a handful of plot elements and scenes are especially well-executed. Arthur's last days are heightened even more emotionally by being connected to Bart singing "Amazing Grace". A mixed bag of emotions occurs when Bart's first singing gig is inter-weaved with a scene of Arthur having a medical emergency. And, when Bart finishes singing "I Can Only Imagine" for the first time, he has a brief vision of his Dad giving him a standing ovation. This moment gives a perfect completion and much-needed sense of finality to Bart's story.
Another interesting achievement the film has is that (unlike many Christian movies), I Can Only Imagine doesn't convict the heart and soul through a sermonized message. Instead, it moves and inspires the old-fashioned way without preaching it. Through outstanding storytelling and characterization, we honestly comprehend the film's authentic messages on forgiveness and redemption.
In the end, I Can Only Imagine is such an impressive film, and even better than I was anticipating (a film that lives up to the hype, isn't that rare nowadays?). It makes you tear up. It makes you laugh. And it makes you jump for joy. It goes in directions that I haven't seen Christian films go before, and it shows that the genre still is incredibly capable of churning out effective, inventive, and truly inspiring ideas (and that too, is an act of God as well).
My Score: 9.3/10
Content Concerns for Family Viewing: I Can Only Imagine is rated PG for "thematic elements including some violence". It's clear throughout the film that Bart was abused by his father as a child. While we don't see the explicit details, the overall environment is threatening enough that it could very well be intimidating or intense for younger viewers. We see Arthur hold a belt in his hand at one point about ready to strike his son (he leaves the room before doing so). We hear him and his wife agonizingly yell at each other from upstairs (we don't see it). Bart is hit by a milk jug and is also smashed on the back of his head by a dinner plate (we see a bloody gash a minute or two later). One scene also shows Arthur violently beating up his old jeep. Bart breaks bones in a football accident (we see him scream in pain, before being taken into the hospital). Bart describes a painful event to his Dad that he was beaten so hard, he had to sleep on his stomach in pain all night.
There are suggestions that Arthur drinks alcohol (I don't remember seeing any alcoholic beverages, however). Bart does fight his father back a few times, and develops an egotistical attitude towards his own talent (perhaps as a striving to prove his father wrong). Elsewhere, Bart, Shannon and another friend sneak off in the middle of the night while at camp.
