Overcomer - Better than 'The Blind Side'

I don't write much here anymore, this is my first posting in over a year.  But every once in a rare while I feel compelled to share my thoughts on a particular subject, this is one of those times.

My wife and I along with our soon to be six year old son went to see the newly released film 'Overcomer' on Monday August 26th.  This is simply an incredible movie, so incredible that I took it in a second time on Tuesday September 3rd with my daughter from my first marriage.

Take note of these two seemingly contradictory terms, simple and incredible, because this movie is both.  While the production and acting are top rate I doubt Overcomer will be winning any Academy or Gloden Globe Awards, unless they create a new category, Most Powerful Message.

Full disclosure now, I represent what many would consider to be this movie's target audience, I am a Christian.  But I must also acknowledge that its only in the past year that I have become much more intentional with my faith, in point of fact I turned my back on God for a long time.  Central to my faith and a big part of this story is that while I, as an individual, turned my back on God and rejected the saving grace that comes from the person of Jesus Christ, God did not turn His back on me. 

I can pretty much promise anyone going to see this movie, that they will identify with one of the characters.  For me it was the lead role of John Harrison, a history teacher and basketball coach at a Christian high school.  While John is a Christian, the way he views himself as a believer is challenged when he meets Thomas, a blind diabetic undergoing dialysis in the hospital. 

Cameron Arnett is the actor who plays Thomas, and if anyone in this movie were to deserve an Acadamy nomination, in my opinion it would be this veteran actor.  I was literally moved to tears during some of his scenes.  The first time I saw the movie I had tears rolling down my cheeks, the second time my daughter thought I was having trouble breathing when in fact I was trying to supress audible sobs. 

I found Overcomer to be an incredibly emotional movie, however there are also some wonderfully funny moments and I enjoyed some heartfelt, (and very much needed) belly laughs.  I will admit though, I laughed more on the first viewing, and wept more on the second.  The tears were not sorrowful however, they were tears of joy.  A joy that comes from receiving the most meaningful of gifts despite having done absolutely nothing to deserve it.  This movie reminded me and reinforced the beauty and joy of God's wonderful grace.

God isn't just good, God is amazing.

It would be a mistake to put this film into the feel good, beating the odds, underdog David vs Goliath pile, because Overcomer is so much more.  This movie is about life, I can think of no better way to phrase it.  And a central theme of every life is struggle, everybody struggles at one time or another.

In this film all the characters struggle, and if you've struggled with life (has anyone not) then I encourage you to go and see it.  If you're open to having your heart and soul touched, this movie has a very good chance of reaching you: