I Can Only Imagine (2018)
C – 110m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Story By: Alex Cramer
Screenplay By: Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle
Exec. Prod.s: Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin
Dir.s: Andrew Erwin (as The Erwin Brothers) and Jon Erwin (as The Erwin Brothers)
Starring: J. Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll, Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins, Cloris Leachman, Jason Burkey, Mark Furze, Randy McDowell, Cole Marcus, Alexander Dominguez, Kerry McCormick, Lea McCormick, Amy Grant (uncredited), Kristen Melling (uncredited), Sara Moore (uncredited) and Jonnie Parnell (uncredited).
Music By: Brent McCorkle
Film Editing By: Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle
The inspiring and unknown true story behind MercyMe’s beloved, chart topping song. This film was heavily promoted on Fox News Channel (FNC) as an inspiring true story with a healthy dose of religion. This fact alone will automatically remove this film from an Atheist’s watch list. It may also deter some people for political reasons. This reviewer will argue that if one can put aside their political biases and watch this film as a depiction of a true story (as with any film, “based on a true story,” it is dramatized), or even as a character study (which it also is by the way), there is enough here that works that one can be entertained at the very least. The acting is solid, the direction is almost impeccable, cinematography is adequate and the music is uplifting despite helping to tell an ultimately sad tale. If sad stories are a turn off, take comfort in the fact that this does have a heartwarming ending. The only complaints are: 1.) The sound mix could have been better, 2.) There is one scene that is a tad too heavy handed in melodrama – when J. Michael Finley picks Dennis Quaid off the floor in his shop and helps him over to a bed, and 3.) The pacing is a tad slow. The story keeps moving along but there are a couple of scenes that could have been tighter in editing. Overall though, this is a film worth watching.
Trivia: The release date of this film was 3/16. John 3:16 is / was one of the most widely quoted verses from The Bible, and has been called the most famous Bible verse. Dennis Quaid’s twins were extras in the dinner scene. His daughter is the one who points towards Quaid’s character during his health incident. Dennis Quaid’s character was a Quarterback (Q.B.) in high school. He also played a Q.B. in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday (1999). This film was shot in Oklahoma. This is the film debut of J. Michael Finley. During the opening scene set in 1985, young Bart rides his bike through town and passes a movie theatre showing Jaws 3–D (1985) and The Goonies (1985). Dennis Quaid, who played Bart’s father, Arthur, here, played the lead role of Mike Brody in Jaws 3–D (1985).
Rated: [PG] – Thematic Elements Including Some Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy