No Greater Love

I have to echo asbarratt's review, yet without quite as much praise for the acting. Not that there was anything wrong with it--there isn't, but, I didn't think it really deserved a "superb" because there wasn't anything really outstanding about it. The characters are handled well, the dialog is pretty standard for a Christian movie, and I really like movies where "the good guys win" and likewise, where evil doesn't triumph.

That's the problem I have with so many movies--they simply don't represent reality when they pretend to be doing so.

I have nothing against fantasy movies and like very many of them, but injecting false paradigms in "reality" movies is very annoying to me and that's where most Hollywood movies fail and this one succeeds.

That's why I rated it so highly. Because I like movies that represent things well, and this is superb in that regard.

It is a "feel good" movie and the title is well chosen. If you love chick flicks, have a tender heart, or like happy endings, this movie is better than the current "5.6" rating it's received.

I recorded this movie probably a year ago on TCT Network, the title and story synopsis got my attention, finally got a chance to watch it undistracted. Wife and I watch a lot of Hallmark movies; No Greater Love resembles a Hallmark movie except it is more serious. The acting is as good as any movie of this kind, actually I found it quite compelling. The photography is clean, clear and attractive, the pacing of the story is steady and kept my interest. And the music selections from West Coast Revival, Downhere, and especially the divine Michelle Tumes, perfectly punctuate the story.

Seeing other reviewers comment on how the storyline is Christian, as though that were a bad thing - I wanted to share something about that. I'm a former atheist/agnostic, and so I remain sensitive to groan worthy or preachy scripts. This movie is quite good, actually, no reason to wince. As a professional person who came to Christianity as an adult, I want to confirm that the script of No Greater Love is extremely realistic. Not corny or overdramatic or clicheed. The plot line is certainly unusual, that makes it entertaining, you want to see how it all turns out. You care about the characters. But the conversations, the people's thoughts and reactions, all of these are what I've seen in my life journey.

I mean exactly what I'm writing here; I've lived or seen these kinds of things. The kinds of conversations you might have with a pastor, or a close friend, or a Christian relative when you're not Christian - all of these do take place and this movie presents them unvarnished. Similarly the marital conflicts, the pain of loss (in several ways in the movie), the awkwardness of recontacting - all of these came through clearly as intensely real. The kinds of feelings people have when they are long time Christians, relatively new Christians, or thinking about becoming a Christian - the script sets them up, and these actors wonderfully conveyed those feelings as real people.

It's a very thoughtful movie. I congratulate everybody involved in making it, and I encourage people to watch it. Actually, watch it alone, as I did. You'll get into the story and think more about it.

I normally love Christian films, and overall, I liked the plot in this - but the script does have some faults.

First, Jeff KNEW he had never signed the divorce papers, so legally he was still married... yet he is getting ready to PROPOSE to another lady?! Seriously??

Next, the reasoning behind Heather not wanting to move back in with Jeff is a bit twisted. She should've just expressed concern about the fact that she is now a Christian and he is not. Instead they use the excuse that she shouldn't marry a non-believer, according to the Bible.

However, the reason most Christians don't believe in divorce and remarriage is because when we marry, we make our vows before God, so even if we divorce, in the eyes of God, we are STILL married. Since they were previously married, they were technically STILL married, divorce papers or not. I can't imagine ANY Christian pastor not encouraging a couple to restore their marriage. It wasn't like she was wanting to marry someone ELSE. Even if Jeff HAD signed the divorce papers, he was STILL her husband in God's eyes. The movie has this part of the plot completely twisted and perverted, in my opinion!!

Lastly, throughout the movie, it shows Jeff's faults, of always putting work before family. But there is nothing at the end to show he really changes from this behavior. He does tell her, "I want what you have," but if I'd written the story, I would've had Jeff eventually coming to church with her, and finally make an open profession to accept Jesus.

The acting was good, and I'm giving it an 8 simply because I was glad for a story about a restored marriage, instead of the usual "forget the ex, find someone new" story line we usually see.

This movie was a very well done movie and the acting was superb. It was just as well done as some larger budget films and had a great message of the power of love and forgiveness. The actors did an awesome job. The whole picture from the acting to the script was very well done. Another great family film that you will enjoy having in your own personal library and church library. Also a great movie to use as an outreach tool for unsaved family and friends. A great love story as well and how the power of God can totally transform a family. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good feel good movie and a enjoys a good love story. If you enjoyed any of the Sherwood Baptist films you will enjoy this movie as well. Excellent film.

Among the previous reviewers of No Greater Love there must not have been any classic movie fans. If so they would have immediately recognized the plot My Favorite Wife here. The only difference is that in the period of separation of wife Danielle Bisutti instead of her spending time with someone like Randolph Scott on a desert island Bisutti descends into the depths of degradation before finding religion.

Bisutti is the Irene Dunne character and the Cary Grant character is Anthony Tyler Quinn. He's a workaholic husband with little time for wife and kid who grows up to be Aaron Sanders. She's been gone for ten years and he's thinking his son needs a mom. Work associate Alexis Boozer Sterling might fill the bill and he proposes.

But in those mysterious ways Sanders finds Bisutti at some church youth group, her act all cleaned up and soon enough Quinn does as well. The problem now is that Quinn is not a believer.

Cary Grant and Irene Dunne seemed to work it out without reference to religion. But as this is a Christian film it has to follow certain parameters.

Nevertheless this one is not overtly preachy and it's entertaining and I love happy endings.