By Steven Dixon
Advertising director
After watching this movie, it made want to be the best father possible to my daughter and soon to be born son, as well as be the best provider for my family on all levels.
‘Courageous’ comes from the brother team Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who not only wrote, produced and directed this film, but they are pastors as well at Sherwood Baptist Church. They are more notably known for their last film, ‘Fireproof’.
Taking place in modern day Albany, GA, many topics are raised – gangs, immigration, drugs, poverty, and absentee parents – but the overall theme is responsibly parenting held by the father.
The plot of the movie thrives among the lives of five main characters, four of which are police officers and one being a Latino construction worker that the policemen befriend. Tragedy strikes Adam (played by director Alex Kendrick) and his family, which makes him decide to take fatherhood a lot more seriously.
After much research of the Bible and self-discovery, Adam comes up with a resolution of sorts. He enlists his four friends to sign this resolution, which pledges them to God and to be doubly responsible of their fatherly duties. This is presented in an outdoor pact-commitment ceremony, in which my opinion is a little over the top.
I watched this film on its opening weekend. The crowd was mostly over the age of 25, and family oriented. Laughter could be heard from every corner of the theater, and sniffles echoed throughout the entire film. I can almost guarantee that there was not a dry eye at the end.
I would recommend this film to any father, to any family, to anyone who has faith. It is a faith-based film, but nonetheless, it is a powerful movie that would benefit those who go this riveting film. You will be sure to have tears, to laugh, and even to see a little action.
In addition, for those that are interested, the ‘resolution’ is available at Lifeway Bookstore in Sherman, TX as well as online.