In association with Silver Lining Entertainment, Pure Flix Entertainment releases the latest faith-based film, A Question of Faith, a moving tale about faith & forgiveness.
Pastor David Newman (Richard T Jones) is a loving husband and father, set to take over his father's church. Due to this, he's been neglecting the promises he's made to his twelve-year-old son, Eric. Kate Hernandez (Jack Velasquez) is a spiritually driven single-parent and owner of a local restaurant. Her daughter Maria is a free-spirited teenager aspiring to be the first in her family to go to college. John Danielson (C. Thomas Howell) is the owner of a failing construction company, who sees his daughter Michelle's fledgling singing career as a way out of financial trouble.
The lives of these strangers collide when two twists of fate strike back to back. The first: while texting and driving in her car, Maria accidentally hits Eric, which lands Maria in jail and leaves Eric's family with a terrible choice. The second: while auditioning for a major record label, Michelle collapses, leading to a discovery about her health, which rocks the very foundation of her father's dream. All three families find themselves at a crossroads, questioning their faith.
The cast is excellent, in particular, Jones, as the patriarch of his family. The chemistry between David & his wife, Theresa (Kim Fields), is very believable, as they deal with their loss. I wouldn't mind seeing Fields & Jones work together in another film, as their chemistry was that natural. Fields, who is best known for her work on The Facts Of Life & Living Single, still has a natural screen charisma, and she really deserves more mainstream work.
While director Kevan Otto and screenwriter Ty Manns have crafted a formulaic movie, but it's the duo's execution that makes it work. Unlike previous faith-based films, character development is evident in A Question of Faith. Too often in religious films, the pastor's character is usually the wise, unwavering one with all the answers, which isn't reality. It was very refreshing to see David's character have doubts due to bad things happening in his life and portrayed as a man who is flawed as he deals with his struggles.
Sitting in the theater, viewing this, I found myself agreeing with most of the characters' decisions, which is the sign of a strong film for me. I saw a little bit of myself in both the lead male characters of John & David. Both men want the best for their families. A Question of Faith isn't overly preachy in its message, nor is it some PSA to make its viewer believe in GOD. No matter what you may believe in, it's clear that everything does happen for a reason, and that's part of what made the movie work for me. Even if you take away the religious aspect of A Question of Faith, it still works due to the cast.
Faith-based films have always been made for a particular audience, and there's nothing wrong with that. While A Question of Faith may not win any Oscars, however, it knows its intended audience. In that regard, it achieves it.
Final Grade B
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