The Case For Christ is pretty slow going, tedious rather than offensive. It isn’t hard to guess the film’s conclusion, in which Lee learns the errors of his ways and finally embraces faith, although as religious declarations go, “All right, God, you win!” doesn’t exactly feel divinely inspired. The story of Lee’s anti-Christianity quest is interwoven with another storyline involving his investigation into the shooting of a police officer. Drama about journalist investigating faith has edge. During a heated argument about her newfound faith, he bitterly comments that he’s “going to file a missing person report.”, Desperate to convince his wife that her beliefs are mistaken, Lee decides to investigate Christianity for the purpose of debunking it. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. She, on the other hand, displays infinite love and patience with her husband, proving that — as was also shown in the faith-based film War Room — Jesus makes an ideal marriage counselor. 11:16 AM PDT 4/7/2017 Director of photography: Brian Shanley One of Lee’s peers at the Tribune, Kenny London, is a Christian with whom Lee has a very contentious relationship for much of the film. |, April 19, 2019 All rights reserved. | Top Critics (6) |, December 26, 2017 Based on Lee Strobel's best-selling book, this religious-themed drama earns points for proselytizing in more narratively compelling form than usual. | Cookie Settings. And indeed he has, as evidenced by a scene in which Lee’s parents come to visit their new grandchild and Lee coldly rebuffs his father (Robert Forster). Vogel, sporting the sort of '80s mustache favored by male porn stars, does well by his leading role, and Christensen makes her character’s conversion dramatically credible. What does it take for a fiercely committed, almost militant atheist to place his faith in Christ? By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. It's clearly intended as a teaching text, though its evidence-based defence of faith ... is a straw-man argument unlikely to have nonbelievers queuing up to be baptised. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. The Case for Christ. The film may be only intermittently successful, but when it takes its own story seriously rather than treating it as a means to an end, it stands among the best films yet produced by the Christian film industry. |, April 9, 2017 It manages to present a more accurate and relatable Gospel than we've really ever seen before in the Christian film world. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! |, April 7, 2017 Copyright © Fandango. The Case For Christ is pretty slow going, tedious rather than offensive. Much to Lee’s consternation, it isn’t long before his wife becomes born again. A film that is decent, sincere and surprisingly watchable. In 1980, Lee Strobel's (Mike Vogel) award-winning, investigative reporting earns him a promotion to legal editor at the Chicago Tribune. The Case for Christ shouldn't be dismissed, but like many faith-based productions, it's better at preaching to the choir than reaching the unconverted. His life suddenly changes when his young daughter nearly chokes to death at a restaurant. Unfortunately, the depiction of Lee's marriage as well as his investigation into Christianity presents two plot lines that feel disparate and neither appear fully realised. Case for Christ: Live Event: Fathom Events Trailer. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. Give credit to the filmmakers for making a faith-affirming picture that aims to be more thoughtful than maudlin. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". Unfortunately, the depiction of Lee's marriage as well as his investigation into Christianity presents two plot lines that feel disparate and neither appear fully realised. But it will certainly please the faithful, and proves more engrossing than most films of its ilk. Just confirm how you got your ticket. For a Christian film, this is decently acted, but with the sentimentality cranked up, it drags on for what feels like eternity. The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review. He consults experts in various fields, including medicine, archeology, religion, and, most amusingly, psychiatry, the last in the form of a famous shrink (Faye Dunaway) who instantly diagnoses that he has daddy issues. We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future. His wife Leslie's (Erika Christensen) newfound faith in Christ compels Lee to utilize his journalistic and legal training to try and disprove the claims of Christianity, pitting his resolute atheism against her growing faith. Frank Scheck All rights reserved. At least atheists aren't completely demonized or portrayed as mustache twirling villains in this one. Sign up here. TWITTER and the Terms and Policies, A tedious sermon that's preaching to the converted. Set in 1980, the story revolves around Lee (Mike Vogel), an award-winning reporter for the Chicago Tribune and an avowed atheist, along with his wife Leslie (Erika Christensen). No, this film didn't quite rise to the level of those films, but still one that's well worth your time. One of his colleagues suggests he prove that Jesus didn’t actually rise from the dead, pointing out that such a revelation would cause the religion to fall apart “like a house of cards.”. The Case for Christ won’t garner many new converts, especially since the evidence presented, at least in the film, proves sketchy at best. The Case for Christ shouldn't be dismissed, but like many faith-based productions, it's better at preaching to the choir than reaching the unconverted. Coming Soon. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy Casting: Billy DaMota, Dea Vise. PG (Incidental Smoking|Descriptions of Crucifixion|Thematic Elements), drama, But while the film is watchable and features some effective performances, suffice it to say that it isn’t exactly All the President’s Men. An intriguing faith-based detective story in which an investigative reporter becomes a true believer. This is profoundly silly Christian recruitment propaganda masquerading as newsroom drama. Sitemap | An investigative journalist takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of one of history’s biggest mysteries in The Case for Christ. |, April 9, 2017 It’s Jesus.”, The fateful experience causes Leslie to seek Alfie out and attend church with her. Director Jon Gunn's sincere, but uninspired adaptation of Lee Strobel's best-selling memoir primarily preaches to the converted. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. |, September 17, 2017 But as a film, it is a sure step in a positive direction. The little girl is rescued by fellow diner Alfie (L. Scott Caldwell), a nurse. Overall, this feels like a missed opportunity.