As his wife (Erika Christensen) undergoes a gradual
conversion to evangelical Christianity, sparking discord in their marriage, an
aggressively atheistic Chicago journalist (Mike Vogel) uses his investigative
skills to try to disprove the Resurrection, and with it the faith. Director
Jonathan M. Gunn's screen version of Lee Strobel's memoir intertwines
intelligent apologetics with the story of a headline-grabbing criminal case
(Renell Gibbs plays the defendant) the reporter is working on as well as with a
low-key study of the central duo's strong bond and the problematic relationship
between the protagonist and his father (Robert Forster). While not as
heavy-handed as many message movies, the film, which is acceptable for a wide
audience and makes a potentially valuable educational resource, succeeds more
as a vindication of the rationality of belief in Jesus than as entertainment.
Watch out for: Graphic
descriptions and images of scourging and crucifixion and a single crass term.
Rated: A-II, adults and
adolescents; MPAA: PG
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2017