Without looking at a calendar, I can typically tell what time of year it is, because this is the time when a majority of inspirational films are released. This, being one of he dead zones of the year, it's actually a sad commentary that the makers of these films feel that if these films are to make a profit, it's going to have to be at this time. So, along with other inspirational films typically released at this time of year, we are offered "The Shack".
After a loving father, Mack Phillips (Sam Worthington) endures the abduction and presumed death of his young daughter, Missy (Amelie Eve) that rocks him to his core, he subsequently receives a mysterious invitation to 'The Shack', a decrepit shelter where Missy was presumably murdered. But, much to his surprise, his visit prompts a divine intervention from a series of strangers, Papa or God (Octavia Spencer), Male Papa or God (Graham Greene), Jesus (Avraham Aviv Alush) and Sarayu or Holy Spirit (Sumire), and the group soon lead him on a theological inquiry in the hope of getting him unstuck from his grief by reminding him of the all-encompassing love of God.
Others to round out the cast are Tim McGraw as Willie, Radha Mitchell as Nan Phillips, Mack's wife, Megan Carpentier as Kate Phillips, Mack and Nan's daughter, Gage Munroe as Josh Phillips Mack and Nan's son, Alice Braga as Sophia, Ryan Robbins as Emil Duchette and Jordyn Ashley Olson as Emily Duchette.
This was passionately and compassionately directed by Stuart Hazeldine ("Exam" '09) plus a short. At times, this type of film can get maudlin and sappy in how its actors are conveyed, however this filmmaker was truly able to convey a true realism of how a parent can grieve and how those that are receiving his grief are realistic in their compassion as well. There can be a fine line between compassion and sappiness and Hazeldine was able to pull it off in spite of his limited experience. It was written with compassion yet directness by John Fusco, Andrew Lanham and Destin Cretton based on a book by William P. Young with collaboration of Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings. Before Mack went through the unimaginable event he went through, his belief and especially his trust in God was already in question, so this path he subsequently took was one of discovery, fear, love and redemption he had to trek in order to let go of all the pent up anger he was experiencing. This was written as a series of flashbacks, but, at times, it was difficult to realize this until the flashback had already started. And this was a bit long in the tooth and probably could have been cut about 5-10 minutes and still held its impact, otherwise the storyline was intriguing. One of the positive aspects of the film was it held the belief that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit was the trinity--one and the same. They used a woman as one visual for Mack because he definitely didn't need to be speaking to a father figure at this point in his life, considering his past with his own father. Some things were a bit far-fetched, but this was a visual that Mack could hold onto tangibly. All this was written with spiritual carefulness, so I can tell these writers did their homework.
If you're one that can learn from an inspirational film, this is the film for you, however, even if this type of film isn't, per say, your cup of tea, you'll walk out of the theater with a lot to ponder as you're driving home, and maybe come up with some of your own conclusions about your own life.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG-13 132mins.
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