With a better director, this could've been good

I rented this movie, not knowing anything about it. I didn't know if was a Christian movie. No, I didn't read the box. I watch everything, so I don't bother with that. First off, the movie is supposed to take place in the early 70's, but the movie looks and feels like a 50's movie. I actually had to laugh when the director said that he made the bully cut his hair cause no one had long hair in 1970. What planet is he from? But the bikes the kids rode and even their rooms, looked like they were in a 50's movie. I understand that this is a low budget movie, so they can't afford popular music from the time or have posters or other pop items, but you'd think they'd have done a little more to show the time period other than show Patton playing at the movie theater. But I had a few problems with the direction. Some of the scenes were a little too heavy handed. Now, I know this is a Christian movie and I'm not saying to cut the content. I just think some of it could've been a little more subtle. Like, we find out that Dustin goes to church with his mother. And the boys all had their own bibles, so I guess they all go to church. So it would seem that they'd know a little more. So Mr. Sperry talking to them, sometimes came off a little too basic. Now, I have a feeling the writer/director wrote it that way, so that he could speak to "nonbelievers" and they would understand, but the movie is a Christian film, marketed to Christians, so I would think they'd want to have a more richer, less basic description of things. I also think that it was odd that Dustin really liked the girl and wanted to go out with her and then kinda gives up on that. I mean, I would think if he liked her, he could've gave her the note to read her bible, but also ask her out. I just didn't get that. It wasn't like he was lusting after her. And one thing I didn't get was, Mr. Sperry basically told Dustin to lie to Mr. Barnes about not telling him who paid for his lawn to be cut. I just think the movie was ok, but could've been a lot better. I have to blame the director cause the actors did a good job. I just think the director needs to work on his storytelling abilities.