Movie Review: The Last Sin Eater

By David Mackey  

This movie is based upon a novel by Francine Rivers, a prolific Christian author. It was directed by Michael Landon Jr., best known as the "son of Michael Landon" – that is, Pa in Little House on the Prairie. He has established himself in his own right as a successful director with four movies released through Hallmark based upon novels by Janette Oake (Love Comes Softly, Loves Enduring Promise, etc.). Sadly, The Last Sin Eater fails to keep up with this proud heritage.

For the first half of the movie the film seems to drag on. There is minimal character development which allows the viewer to have little sympathy for the sufferings of the character. There is conflict, but it seems childish and corny. This may have been out of a misdirected desire to create a "family film." In the end, however, it fails at both. The suffering is too corny to please today's audiences and at the same time it is too frightening and mature for young children.
     
In the second half of the film, the intensity picks up significantly. Still, if it hadn't been a Christian film I probably would have turned it off after the first fifteen minutes, and even if I had waded through half the movie there would still be a good chance that I would turn it off, I just failed to be enthralled by the storyline or the unraveling mysteries.
     
In the end, the story reveals itself to have depth, to conjure up great sadness, and to have great power. This is probably a testament to the writing prowess of Francine Rivers.  But as a film, in the end, it fails.
     
For those who consider that a film can only be a presentation of the gospel verbally and explicitly in order to be a Christian film, this movie will be extremely pleasing. The entire thrust of the film is an allegorical illustration of substituting the atonement of Jesus, and towards the end the gospel is verbally and explicitly explained. I, for one, insist that film must be art.  The gospel may be weaved into film but cannot be an excuse to fail as art. Rather, it should be a means of lifting art to the highest heights.
     
If I had to rate The Last Sin Eater on a 10 point scale, I would rate it a 4-6. On the one hand, it feels unworthy of viewing. On the other hand, it has moments of strength that feel passionate and moving. As you can see from this review, I am in turmoil in my own soul over this film.

About the author:  David Mackey is a network engineer from Pennsylvania who, in his spare time, leads a local youth ministry and runs several websites, including Dave On Movies (www.daveonmovies.com) where he tracks and reviews developments in Christian and Family films.

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