movie content

Someone must have been mistaken (or downright dishonest) in a written review to claim that there was "a lot of profanity" in this movie. There isn't. There is a word or two that is "off color", and there are a few moments where the dialogue is a bit rougher than in other "christian" movies. But the result is that the dialogue is much more realistic, and therefore depicts life closer to how it really is. The language in this movie is nowhere near as bad as many network tv shows, or real life in the kind of neighborhood depicted.

I don't know your friend or you, but I wouldn't think you'd be embarrassed by this movie, unless your friend suffers under the delusion that christians are perfect, or is so narrow minded that they won't be able to get past the inclusion of realism in a story told by christians. This movie could be the beginning of a great conversation between the two of you. If you're still not sure, you could check it out first, or talk to a believer you know (whose opinion you trust of course), about the content. If you decide to take your friend, good luck.

Never quite matching up to what you want of yourself is the basic of the human condition JDM

Hey RampMan,
Great question. The setting of the movie is in the inner city. As you know, the inner city is not a PG place (or even a PG 13 place, as the movie's rating depicts it). The language of the movie (and it is minimal, my guess is that the reviews you read were from a Christian based organization or basis) is a part of the setting of the movie like the scenery or costumes. In order to portray the reality of the setting and the amazing work that the Spirit does, it is important to portray the depravity of the setting. That being said, my experience with the movie and non-christians is that the setting and the truth that is depicted acctually appeals to non-christians because of the movie deals honestly with the depravity and doesn't try to sugar-coat it or make it "churchy". If there are any questions, go see the movie by yourself or with a community of believers and pray about taking the non-christian friend or not. The accurate portrayal was necessary and did add to the strength of the message, story and power of this movie.

Thanks, guys.
I do have another question though. One review that I read (and yes, it was a Christian organization) said that a "frustrated pastor curses from the pulpit." My question is whether or not the frustarted pastor is Michael W. Smith. Something about him suddenly swearing would be wierd.
Thanks again.

Thanks again. All very helpful.

This is such a weird conversation. Why wouldn't a believer curse? And, I'm sorry, but as someone who has spent a little too much time backstage at a handfull of mega-churches, the idea of a mega-church pastor who doesn't curse like a sailor is just downright unrealistic.

The church as a whole has taken the whole "in the world but not of it" passage and twisted it into a justification for acting pious, never having to get any dirt on their hands. So, might I just toss out that hearing some ultra-right publication say that it's got "dirty words" in it gives a number of people an excuse to not take their "unbelieving friends"--and that might be a welcome excuse, given
a.) they don't want to enter into awkward conversation with their bowling buddies or
b.) they don't want to be caught out in public with someone who just might show up at the theater wearing a "Miller High Lite" shirt?

That and Steve Taylor has long pissed off the kind of people who get offended by phrases like "pissed off." So corporate churches have no love for the film's director.

I know that I originally started this post such a long time ago, but it is only tonight that I finally got a chance to actually see the movie. I thought that I would state my own views of the "language issue" after finally seeing the movie myself.
It is true, that many of the so called "bad words" in the movie served a purpose. There are some scenes in the movie that I could not imagine having the same effect had those words not been present.
However, there were some scenes where "words" were used that had no effect on the story at all. They didn't move the plot along, they weren't portrayed as sin...they were just there.
It seems that the movie got a little too carried away, as these words got more common and were thrown around without any purpose...and thus became nothing more than profanity. They were used because they could be and to shock people without serving a purpose; which I believe is the definition of an "expletive."
Don't misunderstand me. I respect the film for taking the stand that it did...to a point. I thought the messeges that it sent out were great.
And before someone quotes the movie back to me, the foot washing which talks about needing to care about people more about what they say even hit home.
But still, it went farther then it needed to. It went past the messege and moved to meaninglessness. And for that it lost some of my respect.
I would still reccomend the movie. It contains messeges that so many Christians need to hear...including myself. But would I show it to non-Christians? No. But not nesscarily because of the language (although I would feel a little ashamed at some points), but simply because the theme is not directed to them, it is directed toward Christians.
You need to see it for yourself to form your own opinion on this matter. This is just my opinion...for what it's worth.