Ever have something going on in your life that is just wrenching your guts out? You've tried to resolve it but a solution eludes you? You can't eat? You can't sleep? And you've reached deep down inside again and again to find the strength and perseverance you need to avoid and overcome this train wreck but you're coming up short? I have. Sometimes the first step is admitting you just don't have it in you. Facing The Giants http://www.facingthegiants.com/trailer.php shows how dark a canyon life can become and where a man, his wife, and others learn, as have I, that as hard as it can be, and as paradoxical as it seems, the way to stand up to "giants" is on our knees.

The movie is produced by Sherwood Pictures, a production company out of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. I went to a premier screening of Facing The Giants in early August. The story is about a high school football coach who has never had a winning season. The hopes of a new season are dashed when his best player decides to transfer schools to a winning school to get a shot at an opportunity to play college ball. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are trying to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, the coach all but loses hope in his battle against fear and failure. But an unexpected call helps him find a purpose bigger than just football and victories. That by trusting God to do what he cannot achieve, the coach, his team, and their families discover how faith moves, on and off the field.

This low budget movie isn't quite the slick production of a major studio release, but has some pretty good *cinematography (thanks Dm)*. Honestly this is being overly critical.

*I was asked to add more comments on the acting and must say it is quite good and believable; amazingly so for a group of unknowns. The movie is a roller coaster of emotion and there wasn't a dry eye in the place so I think that indicates the *actors* were able to bring the audience into their performances.

The film is directed by Alex Kendrick who also plays Coach Grant Taylor. One the most dramatic scenes is the "death crawl" where defensive captain Brock Kelley played by Jason McLeod is given a life lesson in attitude and faith by Coach Taylor. I think many of the movie's lighter and funnier moments are courtesy of assistant Coach JT Hawkins played by Chris Willis.

Facing The Giants is reminiscent of movies about the attitude of the heart in overcoming adversity like Madison, October Sky and Remember The Titans but with a faith component giving glory to God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ who change hearts and lives every day of those who will bow their knees before Him. How politically incorrect can you get??? The nerve! The film has earned a PG rating from the Motion Picture Association for the movie's shameless positive portrayal of faith; how it can change hearts and minds, and the permanent damage that might do to impressionable children.


Recommended: Yes

Movie Mood: Feel-good Movie
Viewing Method: Studio Screening/Premiere
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing