Movie Review - Breakthrough - Not a breakthrough in faith-based films
I do Peetimes for most of the faith-based movies. The Christian production company "PureFlix" turns out some really good faith-based films. Woodlawn comes to mind as an excellent representation of such films. Breakthrough isn't one of those films. This movie was distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. This movie feels like a cheap attempt to grab some money over Easter Weekend.
The movie lacks decent production values, and I felt that the real life characters were not represented well. There was a lack of chemistry between the main cast members that could have brought the film up a notch or two.
Having been an ER nurse for a very long time, I've stood outside an examining room and heard the prayers and the pleas to God to let a loved one live, but to no avail. Often times, afterwards, the prayers turn to anger. My heart breaks for the loved ones who get no answer. Had I have witnessed a medical miracle such as the one we saw in Breakthrough, would it have changed my mind concerning the power of prayer? No. Having been a student of medicine, I know these 'miracles' can (and do) happen with medical intervention. It's just science.
A very personal note: I did not want to see this movie.
The "all you need is prayer and faith, and all is right with the world again" theme has been a 'thorn in my side' (pun intended) for a better part of my life.
I'll preface this review by telling you I'm the daughter of a Methodist minister. I grew up in the church, hardly ever missed Sunday School, and said my prayers every night.
Then Viet Nam happened.
My brother, Danny, two years older than me, was my best friend and confidant. When he left for Viet Nam, I prayed day and night that he'd come home safely. Then there were only eight days left before he came home. Oh, and by the way, it was only two weeks until Christmas. I was confident my prayers had been answered. Praise God: Danny's coming home.
Then came the knock at the door. My brother was not coming home.
Why?
During my period of mourning that question was most often answered with the trite comment, 'It was God's will' or 'God needed another angel in heaven'. The message I took away from this tragedy was that it doesn't matter how hard you pray or how deep your faith: no one is listening. Or, God had already made up his mind that this remarkable young man would die in a foreign country without his loved ones nearby. Neither answer brought me even the slightest bit of comfort.
Grade: D+
Rated (PG) for thematic content including peril Genres: Biography, Drama, Religious
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