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'Fireproof': From a night in Hollywood to the depths of your heart

Rebecca Grace - Guest Columnist - 9/26/2008 11:10:00 AM

Fireproof the movie Out rolled the red carpet and in walked a humble glow of excitement as the cast and crew celebrated today's release of Fireproof with a Hollywood premiere in Los Angeles last night.

The evening celebration began with a screening of the film at the Arclight Hollywood Cinema on Sunset Boulevard and culminated with an after-party at the nearby Fire Museum. Complete with hors d'oeuvres, flowers, gift bags, mingling, interviews, and photo ops, the premiere was beautifully executed but not over the top.

There were about 150 attendees made up of representatives from Sherwood Pictures, Sony Pictures, Provident Films, Samuel Goldwyn Films, media outlets, radio stations and others directly associated with the film. Actor Kirk Cameron, his parents and grandparents, along with actress Erin Bethea and other cast members of Fireproof were there. But the evening wouldn't have been complete without a host of firefighters as honored guests, among them Jerry Sillcocks and John White of Firefighters for Christ.

fire scene It was a time of gratefulness as the ministers/filmmakers watched their third film come to fruition in the heart of Hollywood as they continue to reach the world from Albany, Georgia. (Sherwood Baptist Church, where Sherwood Pictures was birthed, is located in Albany.)

Fireproof is likely to make an even greater impact than its successful predecessor Facing the Giants simply because it has love and marriage at the core of its message. It's about unconditional love and the transforming power of Christ in the lives of husbands and wives. I've seen it three times, and I'm going back to see it a fourth time this weekend because its message grabs me each time.

It's a film like you've never seen before on the big screen. It's not about football or a super hero. It's not even a shallow chick-flick about an empty romance. Simply stated, it's altogether different and it's good...really good.

"Most movies are about relationships that lead to marriage," said Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church. "Fireproof picks up seven years into a marriage headed for divorce. And the question is: Why stay together?"

In the movie, characters Caleb and Catherine Holt are asking themselves that very question. In love at one time, they are now living separate lives led by their own selfish desires. Caleb, a firefighter, and Catherine, a public relations director of a hospital, are constantly arguing over jobs, finances, housework and outside interests.

Caleb comes to the conclusion that "marriages aren't fireproof; sometimes people get burned."

But his colleague reminds him: "Fireproof doesn't mean that fire will never come, but that when it comes, you'll be able to withstand it."

Caleb and Cat apology Still the couple's minds are convinced divorce is their only salvation. Caleb's father steps in and challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment called "The Love Dare." Caleb doesn't really see the point, but agrees to it more for the sake of his father than his marriage. His heart isn't in it, and his efforts become even weaker when he realizes the challenge is linked to his parents' newfound faith – something in which Caleb has zero interest.

But continued frustration with Catherine and his half-hearted attempt to save their marriage leads Caleb to ask: "How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?"

Caleb's father explains it as the type of love God lavishes upon His children.

"Caleb understands the concept that God has loved him over and over and showed that by the cross when Christ died for him," explained actor Kirk Cameron, who plays Caleb. "So then Caleb gets right with God and understands that God has promised to never break that covenant relationship that He has with His children and that a man needs that kind of attitude toward his bride."

But is it too late for this fireman to rekindle the flames in his marriage? He is accustomed to rescuing others but rescuing his wife's heart is his toughest job yet.

"This movie is about fireproofing your most important earthly relationship," said Jim McBride, executive pastor of Sherwood and executive producer of Fireproof.

Doing so is much like adhering to the firefighter's credo: "Never leave your partner behind, especially in a fire."

"Almost everyone we know, including the cast [all volunteer] and crew [mostly volunteer], has been affected by a broken marriage or relationship in their own family or among close friends," said producer/co-writer Stephen Kendrick. "This story challenges common misconceptions about love and dares people to try God's design for relationships and romance.

"The Bible calls marriage a covenant, not a contract. Contracts say, 'I take you for me.' A covenant says, 'I give myself to you.'"

The purpose of the film is to positively affect marriages and relationships by giving viewers a biblical understanding of love. Seeing love take root and grow in action is the most powerful part of the film.

Caleb's father doesn't earn his son's respect by beating him over the head with what's right and wrong. Caleb can't win his wife's heart back by pointing out her faults and only temporarily mending the problems.

Instead, he must love her like Christ loved him first – unconditionally. Caleb doesn't give Catherine what she deserves; he gives her everything but that.

The message of Fireproof is not preachy. It's powerful, and it's real. It hits home because it addresses issues that destroy marriages and relationships on a daily basis: indifference, emotional affairs, and Internet pornography.

So whether you're single, dating, newlyweds, happily married for years, or on the brink of divorce, this movie is for you. Director/co-writer Alex Kendrick said it best at the premiere last night: "Everybody can benefit from these principles of love." Just be ready to laugh, cry, smile, and grieve before leaving the theater with much on your mind as you apply what you've seen to your own life.

"No one can predict what God will do with this movie. There's an outcome yet to be determined," Catt said. "We're just bringing our five loaves and two fish before the Lord" – and they are offering you a bite this weekend.

Read interviews with Alex and Stephen Kendrick, actors Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea,

even the head makeup artist -- and stories about how God showed up numerous times

in the making of the film. ("Behind the scenes of Fireproof")

Fireproof is rated PG for thematic material and some peril. While there is nothing objectionable in the film, it does deal with adult topics that may be inappropriate for younger children. It contains a kiss between a husband and a wife, some intense fire and accident scenes with a minor bit of blood as well as angry outbursts between the troubled couple.

It's the perfect date movie, and going to see it opening weekend is crucial to its success. How well it does at the box office this weekend will determine the reach it has in America and worldwide.

For more information and to find a theater, visit www.fireproofthemovie.com and www.fireproofmymarriage.com.

Rebecca Grace, a regular contributor to OneNewsNow, is staff writer for AFA Journal, a regular publication of the American Family Association. The AFA Journal is a division of the American Family Association, the parent organization of the American Family News Network, which operates OneNewsNow.com.

Opinions expressed in 'Features' columns published by OneNewsNow.com are the sole responsibility of the article's author(s), or of the person(s) or organization(s) quoted therein, and do not necessarily represent those of the staff or management of, or advertisers who support the American Family News Network, OneNewsNow.com, our parent organization or its other affiliates.

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Comments on this article:

"I truly hate most movies and television programing these days...Most contain sexual themes and often, way too much violence. In fact, so does regular TV, which is why I don't even so much as turn it on anymore. 2 Years TV free for me!! My husband ask me why seeing violence and half naked women in movies upsets me?...He just doesn't get it. I'd like to ask him...If he knows those themes upsets me, then why does HE want to watch them? That's all most movies are anymore and I just don't want that in my life. I own all of Sherwoods movies and I will purchase Fireproof as well. We need more movies like these-I just love them!"
"The three movies that have been made by Sherwood are as follows: Flywheel- on DVD; Facing The Giants - on DVD and Fireproof. These are excellent movies made with only 1 professional actor that has reached the world with an evangelistic message from Albany, GA., on a low budget. God can do anything He wants to do if His people will listen and be obedient Bill Banks Class of 1960 AHS"
"This is a five star article. The movie is one from which all people could learn and benefit because it places marriage in the honored place it deserves. Thank God this movie has made it into the main stream for all to see."
"I want to see this movie and read the book like you wouldn't believe... but the showings are always sold out and the books fly off the shelves faster than they can get them in!"
"The first movie made by Sherwood Baptist Church is "Fly Wheel" and it is available on DVD."
"Facing the Giants was good. We need good movies by christian people. We need an AWAKENING FOR CHRIST. W.K."
"I have taught against supporting movies, actors and actress' who do not live Godly lives. I haven't went to a movie in over 15 years but do own Facing the Giants and did teach the series of lessons to our students in my youth group. After I recieved promos and information on Fireproof my husband planned to go see it. Before we could one of the young adults that was in our classes actually asked me to take her. I did so on Monday and my husband and I went Tuesday evening. She told me the movie has helped her and her college friends with problems they were having as friends. God is helping and blessing through Fireproof and we are praying many more lives are changed because they have found His unconditional love!"
"I've seen Facing the Giants and Fireproof, ALL WONDERFULLY GREAT but this article mentions a 3rd movie they made. What was the name of this other movie? Love to see it or get it on DVD. Anyone know the answer?"
"Great movie, we went as a couple and also invited other couples to see it"
"My husband and I, along with our daughter and her husband, saw Fireproof a few weekends ago. Excellent movie, a must see by all who are married, contemplating marriage or having difficulty. God must and should be the third person in marriage. I'm very happy and surprised too, that Fireproof is still in the theatres. Don't under estimate the power of God!"