There are many reasons why Alex Kendrick's film "Courageous" is worth taking the time to see and review on one’s own. First off, it is an independent film with a modest budget that has outperformed much bigger films. Two, it is a decidedly amateur film which, while it will never be confused with a film undertaken by seasoned professionals, is still worth recognizing for its strengths against great odds. Thirdly, it stands as huge step forward for faith-influenced films aiming at vey adult type problems and themes.
I happen to think that such a film being made and widely seen is an important step for filmmaking (as when any other such small film gets much attention) it is an astronomically huge step for Independent Christian Cinema. This film costs a mere $2 million dollars, had an opening weekend gross of $9 million and to date has made more than $30 million- or 15 times its budget.
***Take note America: there is a huge market in Christian themed movies. If this small movie can make $30 million imagine what a truly professionally made film can do****
Now for the honest truth- Is it a truly good movie? No, it’s not. Its cast and crew are almost all volunteers who are members of a church and who are not trained in the techniques of filmmaking. They have heart, time and some money and are willing to take a great risk in putting out such a film for the entire world to see and critique. But as I said the film is a huge improvement when compared to other Christian themed films released in the pastor decade or so (including Kendrick's previous film Fireproof which was quite poor but nonetheless successful)
So considering Kendrick is a pastor and author and not a screenwriter, director or actor (at least by trade) he handles all his duties surprisingly well. His direction of an action filled shoot out scene was a pleasant surprise for example, as was the occasional surprise in the dialogue that hints at a deeper concept of Christian living instead of just the generic lines we all know whether we believe or not. The bulk of the dialogue is still in need of a script doctor though. The non-student in me admires the slow pace of the film, it wasn't the usual 89 minute Christian film, and the obvious lack of ironclad story structure, at least to the degree that the story keep my surprised as to what would happen next and rarely created any sense of assumption of results. But even a non-student like me could see the poor execution in the story and script. True, I could never really tell what would happen next that is mostly due to Kendrick's willingness to take chances and not shy away from the hardships of life.
Therefore it ranks as one giant leap for Christian filmmaking and worthy of a more in depth analysis than I can do here.
In His Love,
Ben