'Fireproof': A sizzling life lesson

A Christian film has been blazing hot in movie theaters, earning $6.8 million and becoming the fourth best-selling movie in the nation.

Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Fireproof," starring Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea, had the highest opening weekend box office of the year for films released on 1,000 screens or less.

It is a faith-based movie with a powerful message to couples: "Never leave your partner behind."

Cameron, known for his role as Mike Seaver on "Growing Pains," co-hosts "The Way of the Master" television series and radio program with Ray Comfort, founder of Living Waters Publications and pastor at Hosanna Chapel in Bellflower, Calif.

Comfort told WND "Fireproof" is different than most Hollywood films because it has a unique message.

"It honors the institution of marriage, honesty, integrity, etc., in a society that has forgotten the meaning of those words, and it does it in a way that isn't prude," he said. "The storyline shows that these virtues are the ingredients to make marriage work, in the way God intended."

Cameron stars as a brave firefighter named Capt. Caleb Holt who rescues strangers for a living, but he feels unable to salvage his own relationship with his wife, Catherine, after seven years of marriage. The two are ready to call it quits. But Caleb's father advises him to turn to God and asks his son to try a 40-day experiment in a book called "The Love Dare."

"Fireproof" was produced by Sherwood Pictures – a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. Director Alex Kendrick is an associate pastor at the church. He and his brother, Stephen Kendrick, wrote the screenplay. Michael Catt, the church's senior pastor and executive producer of "Fireproof," explained the concept of the movie's experiment.

"'The Love Dare' is a 40-day journey that Caleb's father gives him as he is contemplating divorce," Catt told WND. "It challenges Caleb to love his wife unconditionally. The book's purpose is not so much to fix the other person but to fix his own life, his own attitude and the way he responds to his spouse."

The book, "The Love Dare," did not actually exist until audiences expressed widespread interest in owning a copy. Written by the Kendrick brothers, it pre-sold 600,000 copies last weekend and holds a No. 10 ranking in books on Amazon.com.

With approximately 1,200 volunteers making up the cast and crew, "Fireproof" was released in theaters Sept. 26 on 839 screens. It reportedly cost $500,000 to make. Sherwood Pictures' third release, "Fireproof" follows its successful film "Facing the Giants," a faith-based movie grossing more than $10 million and selling 1.6 million DVDs in 58 countries.

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Catt said making the film was "a labor of love."

"Too often people think that if they aren't in a big town, a big church, or have lots of money, they can't make a difference," he said. "I believe 'Fireproof' and Sherwood are proving that God can do great things in small places. It's fun to watch people you go to church with as they work hand in hand on a project bigger than themselves."

Comfort said it is important to support wholesome movies like "Fireproof" because many Hollywood filmmakers only see dollar signs at the box office. Each time patrons purchase a ticket, they send a message about film content.

"If we pay for movies with violence, sex, and blasphemy, they will keep producing that filth," he said. "If we hold back from supporting such movies, and instead support movies such as 'Fireproof,' we are speaking their language. They don't hear petitions. They are only tuned to hear cash registers, and Christians can make a huge difference by choosing to go to wholesome movies."

'Fireproof' star Kirk Cameron

Comfort highly recommends "Fireproof" to both believers and nonbelievers. He said it has a realistic message moviegoers will appreciate.

"It is a life-changer," Comfort said. "Rarely does a film come out that confounds Hollywood and delights an audience to the point of applause in the theater. Fireproof is such a movie."

Likewise, Catt said the film is touching people's lives.

"Even in good marriages, there are seasons where we struggle," he said. "Communication breaks down. Feelings get hurt. We know of couples who were on the verge of divorce who came to the movie separately and left holding hands and hugging. There is a powerful story of forgiveness in 'Fireproof.' It encourages men to be all that God called them to be. It shows a couple headed for disaster and takes us through their life and how God restores their first love for each other."

Catt said the story reminds people that marriage is a covenant, and it has inspired many people to put more effort into their own relationships.

"We have already received hundreds of e-mails from couples who have renewed their commitment to their marriage just from seeing the film on opening weekend."

"Fireproof" is receiving enthusiastic online reviews from people who have seen it, with comments such as the following:

• How can someone see this who has any experience with real life, and not be moved? I personally writhed with tears in my seat most of the time, trying to choke back my reaction so as to not disturb the audience. … [T]he scenes are a testimony to a tragedy in our midst, happening right now in your city and mine, yet unseen.

• This is a movie that shows us how hard it is to revive a near-dead marriage, and why it matters so much. Yes, there is a religious context to the movie. A partner in a healthy marriage, we are shown, struggles to emulate the selfless love and service of Jesus by loving and serving his or her spouse, as Jesus would. But the religious aspects of the movie ought not keep away those who are religion-averse. Selfless love and service as the keys to a joyful marriage are not exclusive to any religion.

• I'm sure there are plenty of movies at your theater that push loose morals, profanity, and obscenity that you can choose if this is not your cup of tea. But if a message of being good, kind, and loving doesn't frighten you, I highly recommend this movie.

• You might watch this movie and say "Oh that is so cliché," or "That couldn't really happen," but for us it did. In a day and age where people (even Christians) get divorced at the drop of a hat, I think people need to be reminded that Jesus really can change people's hearts and that He really does answer our prayers, even when the situation seems so hopeless.

 

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