I Can Only Imagine

The song, “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me, was released in 1999.  It became an international sensation — not just on the Christian Charts— but it crossed over to the top of the Pop Charts and has since become the number one selling Christian song of all time.

If the song touched your heart then.   If you choose to see the movie, I can all but guarantee if will have the same effect.  Maybe more so.

J. Michael Finley stars as Bart Milland, lead singer of Mercy Me and the man who wrote the song.  The movie follows his life’s journey from an abusive childhood through to adulthood.  Spending most of his life running away from his horrible memories, he eventually faces them …and the result?  The song,   And now the movie.

Finley doesn’t preach. He shows his frailties.  Dennis Quaid also gives an outstanding and realistic portrayal as the abusive father.

The movie works because…well, it’s about the song.  It’s about redemption and healing and faith.

I suspect, however, that if you felt nothing from the song….you won’t really get the movie.

That’s a shame.

The movie doesn’t preach, so much as it tells a deep story of a man’s journey .  And this this case, there’s a happy ending for him, the band, his dad….and…well, those of us who cherish the song.

Faith based movies have come a long way.  Movie-goers are embracing them.

This is one of the better ones.

I’m Gary Rivers and that’s what’s happening at the movies.  Tune in again next Monday morning for another Movie Review and a chance for you to win a pair of tickets to the Cinemark Theaters.