By Amanda Murthy and John Mulderig
In keeping with the song and book from which it takes its title, nondenominational affirmations of faith permeate the fact-based romantic drama I Still Believe, making the film congenial fare for Christians of various stripes.
The absence of objectionable material, moreover, renders this love story suitable for all but the youngest viewers who might be upset by some of the events it portrays.
KJ Apa (Riverdale, A Dog’s Purpose) plays future Christian music singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp, who is introduced in the film as an teenager from a cash-strapped Christian home eagerly heading to Calvary Chapel Bible College in California.
As a parting gift, Jeremy’s parents played by megastars Gary Sinise and Shania Twain, and his two younger brothers surprised the Indiana-bred teen with a guitar, which he quickly becomes attached.
Shortly after arriving at campus, Jeremy gets an unexpected invitation be on stage with Jean-Luc LaJoie (Nathan Dean) – who, as front man for a group called the Kry is an already established singer.
It was on-stage where he would spot his future wife, fellow student Melissa Henning (Britt Robertson) during one of the worship sessions.
The chemistry is apparent between the pair, but Melissa is hesitant to allow herself to fall in love with Jeremy, in hopes of protecting her close kinship with Jean-Luc, who makes his feelings obvious for Melissa from time to time.
The love-triangle is a hurdle that seems to be the biggest problem in the movie plot, until Melissa is unexpectedly hit with bigger news – she is diagnosed with cancer.
Immediately all ill feelings between the men are extracted and from then on, Jean-Luc pledges only support and prayers to the couple.
Jeremy, who is clearly on board with the whole “in sickness and in health” deal, doesn’t allow this to deter him from wheeling Melissa into the chapel of the hospital where she’s being treated and popping the question.
Despite his parents expressing their fear that ‘Jeremy is taking things too fast’, he remains convinced that marrying Melissa, even as he prays fervently for her to be healed, is the right thing to do.
By hewing to the real-life ups and downs recounted in Camp’s eponymous 2003 memoir, directors and brothers Jon and Andrew Erwin’s winning picture, which the former co-wrote with Jon Gunn, avoids following a predictable arc. It also gains credibility by portraying the sad truth that, however anxious Jeremy may be to nurture her, there are times when Melissa must suffer alone.
Additionally, I Still Believe – which is paced by musical interludes, sung by the actors themselves – sends a pro-life message via Jeremy’s kindly interaction with handicapped kids, most prominently his developmentally challenged younger brother, Josh (Reuben Dodd).
Taken together with the other positive values underlying the script, this outlook will make Jeremy’s partial biography appealing to moviegoers committed to Bible-based morality.
I Still Believe out in Australian cinemas from 12 March – contains mature themes, brief medical gore, and a couple of marital bedroom scenes.
The Catholic News Service classification is A-II – adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG – parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.