Lee and Leslie Strobel\u2019s world is turned upside down when their daughter nearly loses her life. She is saved by a woman who claims she was told to be there by Jesus, much to the indifference of atheistic Lee.<\/p>\n
Leslie, however, begins pursuing Christianity and eventually becomes a Christian, creating problems between her and her husband. Lee then begins using his journalistic skills on a quest to dismantle the Christian faith to keep his family intact, but eventually finds his own faith in the deity he set out to disprove.<\/p>\n
Based on the autobiography of the same name, \u201cThe Case for Christ\u201d is directed by Jon Gunn, who has directed several award-winning films within the Christian film industry, including \u201cLike Dandelion Dust\u201d and \u201cMy Date with Drew.\u201d This gives \u201cThe Case for Christ\u201d an immediate leg up on its colleagues of the genre, as many Christian-based films struggle to find positive feedback if they manage to break through the glass ceiling of mainstream viewership.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Case for Christ\u201d will be reviewed within the context of its genre. Because there is no one standard to the subjective medium of film, reviewing movies by comparable terms is the preferred (and logical) approach; it\u2019s what allows two drastically different films, like \u201cThe Empire Strikes Back\u201d and \u201cThe Godfather Part II,\u201d to go down in history with the same legendary critical acclaim status. So, in that regard, how does \u201cThe Case for Christ\u201d compare to its Christian-themed contemporaries? The pseudo\u2013biopic stands head and shoulders above the rest.<\/p>\n
Unlike most \u201cChristian propaganda\u201d films, \u201cThe Case for Christ\u201d takes time to develop all of its players as real characters. Mike Vogel and Erika Christensen play Lee and Leslie Strobel, respectively, and both are excellent. Leslie\u2019s turn from atheism to Christianity feels genuine, and the circumstances surrounding her shift in beliefs ground the film, adding real drama and stakes as opposed to the lighthearted cheese that usually plagues similar films. Much of the focus is devoted to Lee and his militant quest to unravel Christianity, and his character\u2019s motives are handled extremely well. Vogel\u2019s performance is fantastic, perfectly conveying the struggles of a man who believes he is losing his family to some psychotic cult.<\/p>\n
In fact, the film proves its worth over other Christian-themed films by showcasing the stereotypically antagonistic counter to Christianity in a surprising and respectful way. Instead of portraying Lee\u2019s atheistic beliefs as villainous, the film sets him up as a relatable and sympathetic character, a man trying to save his marriage from something he doesn\u2019t understand. Gunn also sets up an interesting dynamic between Lee and Leslie\u2019s marriage, using the \u201cchurch is the bride of Christ\u201d metaphor to incite jealousy from Lee, with Lee even stating, \u201cYou are cheating on me with Christ.\u201d This is an interesting dynamic not usually showcased in on-screen relationships, and adds a new layer of motivation and vulnerability to Lee.<\/p>\n
Even with the new concepts not usually explored in similar films, there are still plenty of traditional elements expected from Christian films to please the target audience. The evidences for and against Christ and His resurrection are explored in full, with a sympathetic perspective that keeps the film from being as preachy as others. By showing the world through Lee\u2019s eyes and crafting him as a relatable person, his struggle is understandable. Even when heated debates arise, the film avoids bludgeoning audiences over the head with a one-sided message by allowing Lee to have his victories, even though he often questions his results soon after.<\/p>\n
However, the film still unintentionally evokes the odd feelings usually associated with hearing God\u2019s name (and religion in general) spoken in casual conversation in film. Perhaps this speaks to modern Christianity as a whole in our hesitation to speak confidently in conversation about God without the words \u201cOh my\u201d haphazardly splattered in front of it. Regardless, the uneasy vibes soon subside, and the film refrains from becoming an unrelenting religious cheese fest with carefully crafted dialogue.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, \u201cThe Case for Christ\u201d is about as well put together as one could ask of a religious film. The cinematography is surprisingly professional, and the film\u2019s overall tone and message remain constant throughout, while its unique spin on many established religious tropes keep it interesting and memorable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Case for Christ,\u201d surprisingly, scores a well-earned four out of five Garrett stars. With a runtime of 112 minutes, the film is rated PG for thematic elements including medical depictions of crucifixion and incidental smoking.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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