Facing The Giants - some first thoughts

July 03, 2006 by Joanne Brokaw

An Associated Press story in our Sunday Democrat & Chronicle (July 2, 2006; Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; page 3A) highlighted the upcoming movie, "Facing The Giants," which releases this fall from Sony Pictures. There's a bit of a controversy about the film, with the producers on one side saying they were told by the MPAA that the movie earned a PG rating due to it's explicit religious content and the MPAA saying that's not really the reason.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) gives a movie a PG rating for material that may not be suitable for children, and in the article, AP writer Sam Hananel reports that MPAA Chairman and Chief Executive Office Dan Glickman cites the film's "mature discussion about pregnancy" as one example of mature material, adding, "It also had other mature discussions that some parents might want to be aware of before taking their kids to see this movie."

I actually watched the movie this weekend so let me shed some light on those possible "mature elements" of the movie that might raise some concerns.

There's not a word of cursing in the movie. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Not even a diddle or a dang. The talk of pregnancy (or lack of pregnancy for Coach Taylor and his wife) doesn't even include the use of the word sperm. That's mature in a good way, and less explicit than most prime time network programming. There are more offensive television commercials for bathroom products than anything you'll see in this movie.

We see a kid who wears his disdain for his father like a badge, until the coach points out that he's being disrespectful and that to honor God he should honor his parents. The son has a change of heart and actually apologizes to his father - in his office and in front of a business collegue - and promises to change his behavior. That's a kind of maturity I think parents would want their kids to witness.

We see kids with poor attitudes buck up and take on responsibility and leadership while remaining normal teens. A little kidding around in the classroom, a little whining or doubt here and there in a honest teen fashion, mixed with a heavy doses of "do the right thing" when the chips are down. When we tell our kids to "grow up" this is what we mean.

The football scenes are shown in a most non-violent way. They're exciting and intense, but there aren't extreme hits with helmets flying off or bones cracking. That the film's football scenes are violent is ridiculous; if that's mature violence then "Bambi" needs a PG rating.

And as for that religious content? You need to understand that this film is about a Christian man who coaches football at a Georgia Christian high school. They talk about faith and God and Christ because that's what Christians do with other Christians, especially at a Christian school. It's not religious propaganda any more than "Pirates of the Caribbean" is advertising meant to lure young scallywags to a life of piracy. It just is what it is: A story about a bunch of Christians doing what Christians do with other Christians.

Coach Taylor has problems (boy, does he have problems) and it's a David vs. Goliath tale on many levels. Comparisons to "Remember the Titans" are inevitable, but this is a much different film; rather than just tell a story about a team overcoming obstacles it offers a realistic look into the lives of thousands of Christian Americans - those people in the red-state, fly-over country that Hollywood loves to stomp on. Yes, Virginia, these people really do exist, people who love God and country, who aren't out to bash liberals or force Jesus down anyone's throat, people who get up and go to work and live decent, hardworking lives because their faith drives them to honor their God and praise Him in both good and bad times.

In true fairy tale fashion, the little guys conquer the giants, but the tale is told in a most unHollywood-like fashion. In fact, the film is the product of Sherwood Baptist Church. Brothers Alex (who portrays Coach Taylor) and Stephen Kendrick raised $100,000 from within the church and used a group of volunteers to make the movie. Talk about little guys taking on giants.

"Facing the Giants" is a simple story about normal people with an uplifting and clearly biblical message. It's well made, well acted and well written. There's nothing offensive in the movie, unless you're offended by Christians. Even then, you should check out the movie, if only to see that your stereotype of Christians is probably all wrong.

For more information or to watch the film's trailer, visit http://www.facingthegiants.com.

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