Fireproof (film)

Infobox Film
name = Fireproof


caption = Fireproof
director = Alex Kendrick
writer = Alex Kendrick Stephen Kendrick [cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1129423/fullcredits#writers | title=Writing credits for "Fireproof" | accessdate=2008-09-01 | format= | work=IMDb.com]
starring = Kirk Cameron Erin Bethea Ken Bevel Stephen Dervan Jason McLeod Alex Kendrick
distributor = Sherwood Pictures
released = September 26 2008
runtime = 122 minutes
language = English
budget = $500,000cite interview | last=Kendrick | first=Stephen | url=http://www.titletrakk.com/movie-interviews/stephen-kendrick-interview.htm |interviewer=C.J. Darlington | title=Stephen Kendrick Interview | callsign = | city= | date= | program= | accessdate=2008-09-02]
website = http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/
imdb_id = 1129423|

"Fireproof" is a 2008 American drama film from Sherwood Pictures. Stephen Kendrick co-wrote the film with his brother, while serving as a producer. The supporting cast is made up of volunteers from Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, where the Kendrick brothers serve as associate pastors. The film features Kirk Cameron as Caleb Holt in his first theater-released movie since 2001's "".

On May 21 2008, Sherwood Pictures announced that the film would open in theaters on September 26 2008. [cite web |url=http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=618 |title="Fireproof" Opening Date: September 26 |publisher=ChristianCinema.com |accessdate=2008-09-01 ] It was given an MPAA rating of PG for "thematic material and some peril". [cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i37f216f0315421e38429e68da7ba2fbd |title=MPAA ratings: June 25, 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-02 |date=2008-06-25 |work=The Hollywood Reporter] "The Making of Fireproof" special aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network prior to the movie's release, following a special airing of Sherwood Pictures' first theatrical release, "Facing the Giants". [cite web |url=http://www.tbn.org/index.php/2/4/p/1116.html |title=Making of "Fireproof" |publisher=TBN.org |accessdate=2008-09-20 ]

Plot

"Fireproof" is the story of a firefighter, Captain Caleb Holt, who lives by the old firefighter's adage: "Never leave your partner behind". But, after seven years of marriage to his wife Catherine, their own relationship is failing. Neither one understands the pressures the other faces.cite web |url=http://www.outreach.com/media/print/product/pdf/fireproof_eb.pdf |title=Fireproof Your Marriage |accessdate=2008-09-02 |work= |publisher= |date= |format=PDF ] Caleb claims that Catherine is too sensitive and "doesn't show me respect." Whereas she tells her hospital co-workers that he is "so insensitive" and that "he doesn't listen to me" and "doesn't understand my needs." As they prepare to file for divorce, Caleb's father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day test called "The Love Dare." Caleb starts it, but more for his father's sake than for his marriage.

When Caleb discovers the book’s daily challenges are tied into his parents' newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened. Even though he wants to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and time again. He finally asks his father, "How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?" When his father tells him that this is the love God shows to people, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. And, with God's help, he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife. But, he is unsure if it's too late to "fireproof" his marriage.

Notes

In a scene towards the end when Kirk Cameron's character kisses his wife, it was shot in shadow, and the actress, Erin Bethea, was replaced by Cameron's real-life wife, Chelsea Noble, disguised to look like Bethea.cite web |url=http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/26/wisdom/ |title=Devotion keeps actor Kirk Cameron centered |accessdate=2008-10-06 |work=VenturaCountyStar.com |publisher= |date=September 26, 2008 ] This was done because Cameron does not believe that as a Christian he should kiss any woman other than his wife.

Cast

*Kirk Cameron as Caleb Holt
*Erin Bethea as Catherine Holt
*Ken Bevel as Michael Simmons
*Stephen Dervan as Wayne Floyd
*Eric Young as Terrell Sanders
*Jason McLeod as Eric Harmon
*Stephanie Makulinski as Latasha Brown
*Dwan Williams as Deidra Harris
*Amberly Marquard as Ashley Phillips
*Harris Malcom as John Holt
*Phyllis Malcom as Cheryl Holt
*Perry Revell as Gavin Keller
*Carla Hawkins as Tina Simmons
*Ray Wood as Mr. Campbell
*Sue Holt as Mrs. Campbell
*Bill Stafford as Mr. Rudolph
*Dot Majors as Erma Rudolph
*Faye Sharber as Anna Stone
*Deena Taylor as Misty Harper
*Kelly Johnson as Bethany Wilson
*Jim McBride as Carl Hatcher
*Anthony Brown as Mr. James Turner
*Allison Dawson as Mrs. Turner
*Taylor Glow as Megan
*Alex Kendrick as Pastor Strauss

Production

"Fireproof" was filmed for 30 nonconsecutive days between late October 2007 and December 14, 2007. [cite web |url=http://fireproofproduction.blogspot.com/2007/12/thats-wrap-part-2.html |title=That's a WRAP (Part 2) |publisher=Fireproof Production Blog |date=2007-12-14 |accessdate=2008-09-03] The production was based on a budget of $500,000, which was an increase from the $100,000 toward Sherwood Pictures' previous film "Facing the Giants". "Fireproof" was shot in sixteen locations, all of which were donated. Craig von Buseck of the Christian Broadcasting Network said that the movie was "beautifully shot in and around Albany, Georgia, home to Sherwood Church." [cite web |url=http://blogs.cbn.com/ChurchWatch/archive/2008/07/18/kirk-cameron-is-fireproof-in-new-movie.aspx |title=Kirk Cameron is "Fireproof" in New Movie |accessdate=2008-09-02 |work=blogs.cbn.com |publisher= |date= ] The Albany Fire Department donated their fire station locations, trucks and even some of their crew for use during the filming. Stephen Kendrick said, "We’ve never claimed that our movies are Academy Award winning [...] But we are trying to pursue excellence."

Marriage views

"Fireproof" is partnered with "Fireproof My Marriage", an organization created to strengthen and heal marriages. [cite web |url=http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/support.php |title="Fireproof", Support the Movie |accessdate=2008-09-03 |work=Fireproofmymarriage.com |publisher= |date= ] "The Love Dare", a book written by Alex andStephen Kendrick, is a major topic in the film, being one of the main points of the plot. Alex Kendrick said in an interview that this film would be "a drama/romance about marriage. Our goal is to reinforce God's intention for marriage." [cite web |url=http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=279 |title=Featured Filmmaker: Alex Kendrick |accessdate=2008-09-01 |format= |work=ChristianCinema.com ]

With 50% of all marriages in the United States ending in divorce, [cite web |url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm |title=The current U.S. divorce rate |accessdate=2008-09-03 |work=Religioustolerance.org |publisher= |date= ] "Fireproof" has been endorsed by many marriage-oriented organizations, including FamilyLife, [cite web |url=http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.4423831/k.E9F8/Fireproof.htm |title=Fireproof You Marriage |accessdate=2008-09-03 |work=FamilyLife.com |publisher= |date= ] "The Marriage CoMission", "The Association of Marriage and Family Ministries", [cite web |url=http://www.amfmonline.com/default.asp |title=The Association of Marriage and Family Ministries |accessdate=2008-09-03 |work=AMFMonline.com |publisher= |date= ] "Marriage Alive Communications" [cite web |url=http://www.marriagealive.com/10Dates/fireproof.cfm |title=10 Great Dates |accessdate=2008-09-03 |work=MarriageAlive.com |publisher= |date= ] and "MarriageToday". [cite web |url=http://christiannewswire.com/news/175106091.html |title=News Release from "Fireproof" the Movie |accessdate=2008-09-03 |work=Christiannewswire.com |publisher= |date= ] The film has been uniting many other marriage advocates from across the United States. [cite web |url=http://www.goodnewsdaily.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8015 |title=Christian Newswire - "Fireproof" |accessdate=2008-09-03 |work=Goodnewsdaily.net |publisher= |date= ]

Reception

Positive reviews

"Fireproof" has received very positive reviews from Christian groups since its most early viewings. Michael Foust of the Baptist Press said that, "I walked into the theater without any expectations, but walked out after the closing credits believing I had just seen perhaps the most convicting and inspiring film I had ever viewed. Fireproof isn't just a great Christian movie. It's a great movie. Period." [cite web |url=http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=28557 |title='Fireproof' a Big League film |accessdate=2008-09-02 |work=Baptist Press |publisher= |date= ] Mitch Temple of Focus on the Family said that, "This brilliantly produced film radiates messages of authentic determination, faith and hope, even for those of us who have felt like giving up on our marriages." [cite web |url=http://www.family.org/marriage/A000005058.cfm |title="Fireproof" |accessdate=2008-09-03 |work=Family.org |publisher= |date= ]

Critical reception

However, the movie has been given mixed reviews from film critics. Scott Tobias of The Onion's A.V. Club gave the film an "F," saying that "Fireproof" gets hung up in a lot of Promise Keepers hoo-hah about reaffirming marriage as a covenant with God rather than a contract filed at City Hall." Tobias continues " [Cameron's character] acts like a childish jerk, even in the reconciliation phase [of the marriage] , and the underlying reason is that he—and the movie—hates women." [cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/content/cinema/fireproof |title='Fireproof' (Review) |accessdate=2008-09-29 |work=The AV Club |publisher= |date= ] Hannah Goodwyn of the Christian Broadcasting Network said "the acting in Fireproof is less than stellar in a few cases, which is somewhat expected since the entire cast is basically volunteers from the church." But she also stated that it did have better acting than Sherwood Pictures' previous film, Facing the Giants. [cite web | url=http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/screen/goodwyn_Fireproof.aspx | title="Fireproof" Review by Hannah Goodwyn | accessdate=2008-09-30 | work= | publisher= | date= ] As of October 10, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 46% of critics rated the film positively based on 13 reviews. [cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10010214-fireproof/ |title=Fireproof Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes |accessdate=2008-10-10 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 28 out of 100 based on 6 reviews — indicating generally negative reviews. [cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/fireproof?q=fireproof |title=Fireproof (2008): Reviews |accessdate=2008-10-10 |publisher=Metacritic]

Box office

"Fireproof"'s advance sales accounted for 40% of all Fandango sales from Friday morning. In the week prior to opening, "Fireproof" had pre-sold more than $1 million in tickets, far above predicted blockbusters, such as Eagle Eye. [cite web |url=http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080929/lam523.html?.v=20 |title=Samuel Goldywn Films' "Fireproof" Ablaze |accessdate=2008-09-30 |work=biz.yahoo.com |publisher= |date= ] "Fireproof" was released on September 26, 2008 in 839 theaters. [cite web | url=http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/_newsletters/092608/ | title="Fireproof" Arrives! | accessdate=2008-09-26 | work=Fireproofthemovie.com | publisher= | date= ] In its first weekend, "Fireproof" grossed over $6.8 million, putting it in fourth place at the box office. [cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2008&wknd=39&p=.htm | title=Weekend Box Office Results for September 26-28, 2008 | publisher=BoxOfficeMojo.com | date=2008-09-28 | accessdate=2008-09-29] As of October 5, 2008, "Fireproof" remained in the top 10 films nationwide and now has an estimated domestic gross of $13,734,768, [cite web |url=http://boxofficemojo.com/daily/chart/?sortdate=2008-10-07&p=.htm |title=Daily Box Office |accessdate=2008-10-08 |work=BoxOfficeMojo.com |publisher= |date=2008-10-07 ] surpassing the lifetime earnings of its predecessor, "Facing the Giants", and moving it into the top 10 Christian films by earnings. [cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=christian.htm |title=Christian movies |accessdate=2008-10-05 |work=BoxOfficeMojo.com |publisher= |date=2008-10-05 ]

On its second weekend, "Fireproof" had a net gain of 13 theaters, bringing it's total theater count to 852. [cite web |url=http://boxofficemojo.com/counts/chart/?yr=2008&wk=40&p=.htm |title=Theater Counts |accessdate=2008-10-03 |work=BoxOfficeMojo.com |publisher= |date=2008-10-03 ] On October 10, 2008, the creators will be adding seven new theaters to the release followed on October 17 with 300 new theaters. [cite web |url=http://fireproofthemovie.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-theaters-for-fireproof.html |title=New Theaters for FIREPROOF |accessdate=2008-10-05 |work=Official "Fireproof" blog |publisher= |date=2008-10-02 ]

See also

*"Facing the Giants"
*"Flywheel"
*Samuel Goldwyn Films
*Sherwood Pictures
*List of firefighting films

References

External links

* [http://fireproofthemovie.com "Fireproof" official website]
*imdb title|1129423|Fireproof
* [http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810036605/info "Fireproof"] at Yahoo! Movies
* [http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fireproof.htm "Fireproof"] at Box Office Mojo
* [http://www.ceganmo.com/2008/07/fireproof.html "Fireproof"] at [http://www.ceganmo.com CEGAnMo.com]
*
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilFW8p8-BQY "Fireproof" promotional video] at YouTube