User reviews

As much a meditation the forces in our lives that push and pull us away from religion, this is an artful film that explores deep religious issues without offering easy answers. Because in life, there aren't many easy answers.

Brian Geraghty gives an amazing performance, and the film is beautifully shot in rural Central California.

Definitely worth a view if you're into art films or French films, or would like a picturesque portrait of a man struggling with his own faith.

Tragedy, loss, brokeness the mental illness of a loved one whether sudden or sustained over years, plagues us all. For those of us who claim Christianity's backbone theology of a loving and personal God, trouble poses both an apologetic and a more important dilema for believers. To deny this , forces us into the stereotypical pie in the sky idiot we usually see on film. Does God sustain us or does He expect us to do something before His grace restores us. This film, unlike most faith-based cinema does us the favor of offering no answer. It leaves us with a deer in the headlights stare at the fork in the road between well meaning folks assuring us of God's control of things and our limited knowledge of an infinite God, His plan, and the abyss of unknowing why our marriage is failing, why we will die of cancer, and why our child killed himself. By asking the question and ending it unanswered makes the film unique and refreshing, even theraputic.

This was not a good movie. I never leave a review on anything. I have seen many bad movies, and this is right up there with the worst of them. There was basically no storyline to follow. And what little there was was choppy at best. Then the ending was just that. The end. No happy ending. No breakthrough or come back. Just point blank done. They made a quick buck off what I'd call a flop. I expected more from Brian Geraghty because I think he's a really good actor. But this movie was a major disappointment to me and my wife. I bought it and I really wish I hadn't. I wouldn't recommend this, and don't waste your money if you don't already own it.

The pedantic dialogue between shepherd and sheep was brashly interrupted by his father just when the question of "where was God when my son died by suicide?", was posed. Perfect time for a pastoral philosophical segue-way. If one thought this movie was a truthful highlight of any spiritual process, that one would be left at the altar empty-handed.

The spot light instead was shining on the source of the problem, with the clichéd "nobody's perfect" implied. The father gets a pass because he doesn't like the new pastor. Seems like that would be a pride intervention using their "love" language. But love is lacking here. Duty and obligation to pray and go to church are supposed. Drinking beer is out (damn should have been wine specifically I guess). And at the end of it all, the quaint reminder that church Father knows best, even if he doesn't know anything.

What a cool industry to be able to control the questions and the answers. I suppose that is as close to god as most people get both in real time and through the vicarious lens.