“Where are you, men of courage?” This is the line from the movie I’ve been thinking myself lately! Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably at least heard of Sherwood Baptist’s new production, Courageous.  I had the privilege of watching it with my children this week and it is an inspiring film about fatherhood and what it means to be a man of integrity. Hopefully it will still be in theaters when my hubby gets home. I hope my review isn’t too vague, but I don’t want to give you any spoilers!

The story follows four policemen and their new friend Javier as they struggle with what it means to be a father in today’s society. Is it okay to just be “good enough,” provide a paycheck and not beat your wife and kids? What impact is fatherlessness, and even fathers at home who aren’t leading their homes, having on our society? The movie touches on these themes and what it means to honor your wife, your God and your fellow men through action, thought provoking scenes and dialogue.  Each man is a slightly different kind of father:  One has a baby out of wedlock and is ashamed, another is seeking to walk in integrity and in God’s plan but still wondering about his own father he never knew, one is what most would consider a “good” dad but who realizes his shortcomings and apathy through tragedy, another is a hardworking blue collar guy struggling to make ends meet and lead his family, and the last wants to do what is right but isn’t sure just where his moral compass lies.

Courageous doesn’t pull any punches right from the beginning. Plenty of police action, gang violence, and intense scenes make this a great guy movie, but not necessarily the best for the “whole” family – leave little ones at home until you’ve seen it at least once and then make the decision what age is best for your family; there’s a reason for the PG-13 rating(no bad language, alcohol, sex and drug use are mentioned but only to discuss the ramifications).  This film is a warning shot across the bow for men, so to speak.  Be sure to take tissues though as it’s definitely a tearjerker! One secular site I read calls the film “emotionally manipulative”— but let’s face it, what movie isn’t?! The difference is this movie is up front, while many secular movies are more covert about it.  You will cry, laugh hysterically (careful not to snort soda out your nose!)  and be challenged in your integrity and faith.

The acting isn’t necessarily the greatest, we’re not talking Oscars here and there aren’t any big name actors this go round, but Sherwood has definitely come a long way from Flywheel and in my book the message outweighs the method.  If you’ve seen other Sherwood films you will recognize several actors, and I would say look for the nods to their previous films (i.e. many of the vehicles have plates from Jay Austin Motors of Flywheel, there’s a reference to Fireproof, etc.).  Several secular sites say the film is heavy handed and didactic but I did not feel that so much as that it is obviously directed to men of faith, although there is much here for men who are non-believers (including a strong salvation message).

Take your older boys and husbands– or send them on a guy’s night out and be ready to discuss things! Young ladies can be encouraged by one father’s protection of his daughter. Both my eldest son and my daughter’s steady beau were deeply impacted and felt it to be a life changing movie and their new favorite!  Men will be challenged to rethink their fathering, how they were fathered and where they want to go, to seek out what DOES the Bible say about fatherhood? How should men in the Church be caring for the “fatherless”?  Women can come away with some of the same challenges related to mothering as well as how best to encourage the men in our lives to be those men who stand up for what is right no matter what.   There are also follow up books called The Resolution (similar to the Love Dare idea from Fireproof) for both men and women. Already in my Amazon cart! J

This film is definitely one we will be purchasing and discussing again, and it’s worth seeing even if it’s not a favorite if only to springboard discussion on what it means to be a real man for your family and your church.  I am praying that it will have a profound impact on our family and that men in the church would indeed rise up in our day and age to be men of God.  What will your legacy be?

(You can check out http://www.pluggedinonline.com for a complete review)

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