By Susan Brinkmann
Staff Writer
A new movie based on the successful struggles of a firefighter and his wife to save their failing marriage is set to open on Friday, Sept. 26 in 850 theaters across the country.
Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron, the former teen star of the popular TV show Growing Pains, was produced by Sherwood Pictures and Provident Films, makers of Facing the Giants and Flywheel.
The film is based on the story of Captain Caleb Holt, a firefighter, and his wife Catherine. After seven years of marriage, they have drifted and argue regularly over all of the usual issues – finances, housework, outside interests.
Just as they are entering divorce proceedings, Caleb’s father challenges him to a 40-day experiment he calls “The Love Dare.” Caleb agrees more for his father’s sake than his own. But he made a promise and he wants to stick to it, even though his efforts are frustrated time and time again. He finally asks his father, “How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?”
When his father explains that this is the same kind of love God shows to us, Caleb is deeply moved and makes a new commitment to love God. As a result, for the first time in his married life, he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife.
Fireproof is the third feature film for tiny Sherwood Pictures, which is the movie-making ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Their most recent film, Facing the Giants, was made in six weeks on a budget of only $100,000 and relied on volunteer actors from their own congregation. Miraculously, the movie was optioned by Provident Films and shown in 441 theaters across the U.S., eventually earning more than $10 million at the box office.
Their newest endeavor has already met with widespread acclaim, most notably for the quality of the film.
Writing recently in The Tablet, the weekly newspaper of the diocese of Brooklyn, Fr. Robert Lauder related, “I did not feel like viewing the film because I suspected it would be a poor film, made with the best of intentions, but amateurish and overly sentimental.”
But, he said, he was surprised to find that Fireproof is an exceptionally good film. The story is good, the acting is good, the direction is good, the music is good and the editing is exceptionally good.”
The film’s website is equipped with resources to help couples who are struggling in their marriage, including the book “The Love Dare” that outlines the 40 day program used by Capt. Holt in the movie.
Anyone who is interested in seeing the film are being encouraged to attend during its opening weekend, which could help put Fireproof in even more theatres in coming weeks.
For more information, visit the website at http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/
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