MILLTOWN PRIDE (2011, d.Tim Rogers, Unusual Films) is a prohibition-era baseball drama concerned with the ill-affects of alcohol and the saving grace of Christianity.It’s bad. And not just because of mediocre acting, directing, music, and cinematography...though each of those areas is problematic at best.
It’s no baseball film either...despite plotting and art direction that insist otherwise. There is a palpable lack of baseball magic, no sports action excitement, no thrilling pennant race.
Ultimately, MILLTOWN PRIDE fails because its been so clearly created to persuade its viewers to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages and to find spiritual salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet accomplishes neither.
This film will only reassure and affirm the converted and convinced. A work of art that preaches to its own choir of teetotalling believers.
Truly, MILLTOWN’s “pride” is suggesting that such a film will accomplish anything provocative (re: “life-changing”) at all.
Why is it that evangelical Christian films and novel writing are sooo bad overall?? Jewish writers like Chaim Potok can pull it off and there's a plethora of Irish writers who speak to the Catholic experience eloquently from Joyce to McCourt. I think the problem is their goal is to convert and proselytize resulting in one-dimensional characters without the normal flaws, and doubts.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Karen. Most Evangelicals believe in the existence and power of the "Holy Spirit," don't they? That's the spiritual part of the Christian God that works in the lives of all humans...pointing them to him. Why not just share honest human stories and let the audience connect the dots on their own..."trusting that the Holy Spirit will lead?" (Catholic writer Flannery O'Connor has much to say of Christian artists in the book "Mystery and Manners." Highly recommended.)
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing the premiere of 'The Printing' at BJU and vaguely recall it being a fairly decent movie, considering the source. However, I wouldn't be surprised if it was loaded with cinematic flaws.
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