Theatrical Release: September 26, 2008
Running Time: 118 Minutes
Rating: PG
Director: Alex Kendrick
Writers: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick
Cast: Kirk Cameron (Caleb Holt), Erin Bethea (Catherine Holt), Ken Bevel (Michael Simmons), Stephen Dervan (Wayne Floyd), Eric Young (Terrell Sanders), Jason McLeod (Eric Harmon), Harris Malcom (John Holt), Phyllis Malcom (Cheryl Holt), Perry Revell (Dr. Gavin Keller), Stephanie Makulinski (Robin Cates), Renata Williams (Latasha Brown), Dwan Williams (Deidra Harris), Amberly Marquard (Ashley Phillips)
Since "Growing Pains" signed off the airwaves in 1992, eldest Seaver son Kirk Cameron has largely kept off Hollywood's radar. The 1980s teen heartthrob hasn't joined the ranks of former child star wrecks; there have been no reality TV gigs, drug addictions, or scandals of any kind. At the same time, Cameron hasn't enjoyed major stardom the way his seventh season protégé Leonard DiCaprio has. Cameron's post-"Pains" work includes a 1½-season sitcom vehicle, a couple of Disney Channel movies, the infrequent TV guest slot, and a pair of "Growing Pains" reunions.
None of that pointed to a newsmaking big screen return, but that's exactly what Cameron received in last fall's Fireproof.
Made for just $500,000 and released in under 1,000 theaters, this PG-rated drama opened in fourth place at the box office. It would go on to earn back its budget over 65 times. To date, Cameron's little film has grossed over $33 million domestically. That may not scream blockbuster, but it's more than what was garnered by widely-released 2008 films starring George Clooney (Leatherheads), Mike Myers (The Love Guru), and Owen Wilson (Drillbit Taylor).
None of that pointed to a newsmaking big screen return, but that's exactly what Cameron received in last fall's Fireproof.
Made for just $500,000 and released in under 1,000 theaters, this PG-rated drama opened in fourth place at the box office. It would go on to earn back its budget over 65 times. To date, Cameron's little film has grossed over $33 million domestically. That may not scream blockbuster, but it's more than what was garnered by widely-released 2008 films starring George Clooney (Leatherheads), Mike Myers (The Love Guru), and Owen Wilson (Drillbit Taylor).
Of course, it's a little bit of a stretch to call Fireproof a "Kirk Cameron movie" (a phrase that hasn't much been invoked since 1989's Listen to Me). Though Cameron is top-billed, the clear lead, and undoubtedly the most famous name onboard, Fireproof is first and foremost a "Christian movie." That domain was not new for the actor; he became a devout Christian at the height of his popularity and earlier this decade starred in the Left Behind trilogy of post-Rapture films. Nor was it unfamiliar to Alex and Stephen Kendrick, the brothers and pastors who founded a film company out of their well-attended Sherwood Baptist Church. Fireproof is the megachurch group's third film.
Set in Sherwood's hometown of Albany, Georgia, Fireproof tells the story of a married couple in conflict. Fire chief Caleb Holt (Cameron) and his wife of seven years, hospital PR administrator Catherine (Erin Bethea), are not getting along. In fact, they can hardly stand each other's company. Both are seriously considering a divorce. Caleb's father (Harris Malcom) discourages such an action, instead pleading with his son to spend the next forty days on something called "The Love Dare." A handwritten book provides daily instructions and Bible passages for salvaging the marriage.
Taking Dad up on his offer, Caleb quietly follows the rescue plan and starts making one gesture each day to show his appreciation for his wife. You might anticipate Caleb's efforts being a painless cure-all in the world of homegrown films, but in fact a number of obstacles still stand in the way of the Holts' union being healthily restored. Suspicious of her husband's carefully-metered thoughtfulness, Catherine grows increasingly close to a suave colleague doctor (Perry Revell). Meanwhile, Caleb has his own demons to conquer, the most pressing of which seem to be his lack of faith and his appreciation for the Internet.
Nothing else needs to be said about the plot of Fireproof, which the DVD cover dubs "The #1 Inspirational Movie in America!" in an unattributed quote.
Taking Dad up on his offer, Caleb quietly follows the rescue plan and starts making one gesture each day to show his appreciation for his wife. You might anticipate Caleb's efforts being a painless cure-all in the world of homegrown films, but in fact a number of obstacles still stand in the way of the Holts' union being healthily restored. Suspicious of her husband's carefully-metered thoughtfulness, Catherine grows increasingly close to a suave colleague doctor (Perry Revell). Meanwhile, Caleb has his own demons to conquer, the most pressing of which seem to be his lack of faith and his appreciation for the Internet.
Nothing else needs to be said about the plot of Fireproof, which the DVD cover dubs "The #1 Inspirational Movie in America!" in an unattributed quote.
That you can guess where things are going is of little detriment. You don't watch a movie like this for the twists and turns. You do watch a movie like this expecting to get something worthwhile out of the time devoted. This is where Fireproof fails. It certainly means well, providing a how-to for saving marriages with Christ's help. But that makes it more of a motivational workshop than a dramatic motion picture. Judging it as the latter finds it lacking in many ways.
The acting is unpolished, which perhaps is to be expected of a cast short on experience and largely unpaid. Even the best work, coming from the reasonably accomplished Cameron, is subpar and synthetic, handicapping characterization and draining whatever realism might have survived the mawkish script. The widespread incompetence gives the proceedings a basic cable TV movie feel, which the rambling focus, untidy pace, and unspectacular technique all seem to actually fall short of.
In the filmmakers' defense, the movie does seem to be earnest. These aren't folks churning out slush for a paycheck. Everyone involved seems to believe in the message and the means. (38-year-old Cameron will celebrate his 18th wedding anniversary in July.) That doesn't make it any better than it is, but it does mean that artistic dismissals should come with an extra touch of consideration and, for me at least, guilt.
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