As a lifelong student of film, I love visual storytelling. I believe the more you can tell through the visuals, the better the movie will be. And I hate voice-overs telling me what I am looking at on the screen.
So I was excited about seeing The Good Book, a feature film without sound (except for the music soundtrack). Of course, telling a story silently isn’t the easiest thing to do, but The Good Book handles the challenge well.
Daniel (Evan Fielding) running away from home; Photo Courtesy of Mainstreet Productions.
The story is incredibly ambitious; in fact, it is not one story, but several stories revolving around more than a dozen characters. The Good Book follows a copy of the New Testament on a journey that begins with a young boy named Daniel (Evan Fielding), who runs away from home after causing a horrible accident. He finds sanctuary in a homeless camp and is befriended by Esau (Torry Martin).
From there, the Book is handed off to a public defender (BK Bomar) and his wife Marion (Apolonia Davalos in a moving and strong performance). It goes from person to person, including Sarah the homeless lady (Amanda Pentecost giving a standout performance herself), Jenn Gotzon as a woman scorned, and Leah (Rebecca Lines), who is dealing with addictions. When the Book makes its way overseas and into the hands of a persecuted missionary (Josh Childs), the impact of this Book truly hits home. It’s enjoyable to see how a book and its message can have a ripple effect, touching lives wherever it goes.
See the trailer below:
The film is written and directed by Sharon Wilharm and is produced by her husband, Fred Wilharm. Rick Holets composes the music for this film, which underlies the action quite well.
The Good Book is one of the most ambitious movies I’ve recently seen, and my hat’s off to the filmmakers for pulling it off as well as they did. With so many stories and actors, especially for an independent film, some acting is stronger than others. A couple of the characters seemed a bit over-the-top, and a couple of the transitions are strained.
All in all, though, The Good Book is a solid production. You will not be disappointed; it’s an ambitious and well executed undertaking.
Alex & Marion (BK Bomar & Apolonia Davalos) hold their child close; Photo Courtesy of Mainstreet Productions.
The Good Book has been making a well-deserved and successful journey around the film festival, and it is now available on DVD.
The Christian Worldview
The Good Book has a very strong Christian worldview, and the driving theme behind the picture is the impact that Scripture can have on every day life and the world at large.
Sarah & Ruth (Amanda Pentecost & Jenn Gotzon) at church; Photo Courtesy of Mainstreet Productions.
Biblical Discussion
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” Isaiah 55: 1
The Good Book is a mighty example of the power of the Word of God. Sometimes we can find ourselves (due to our sin and our own personal motives and agendas) getting in the way of the Word of God and the power of the Spirit. However, no words can give better guidance or provide better comfort than the Good Book.
“Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.” Isaiah 55: 3
There is no better place to look for God and His guidance. Other people and things are helpful, but the Word of God is sufficient.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55: 6
David on the set of The Good Book; Photo Courtesy of Mainstreet Productions.
His Word does not go forth and return void.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;” Isaiah 55: 8 – 12
Seek joy. Seek peace. Seek God in The Word of God.
For more information about this author, movie critic, and filmmaker, visit Dale Ward’s Official Website.
Leave a Reply