Movie Review: Come What May

By Donald James Parker 

Yesterday morning I got an email containing a link to a movie. My mornings before work are consumed doing email, etc.  I don’t have time to watch movies, but for some reason I opened the link and saw the movie was divided into segments. After deciding I had time to check out the first segment, I got hooked immediately and couldn't stop. I didn’t quite get to the end of segment five by the time I had to leave for work.  I ended up taking my lunch a little early just so I could get back to it since my mind was on it all morning. It made that much of an impression on me.

I had never heard of Come What May. Now I’m trying to tell everyone about it. It was made by a new film company called Advent Film Group, a gaggle of homeschoolers, a few film professionals, and Patrick Henry College. I also had never heard of that school, which is located in Virginia, no surprise since that is the home of that fiery orator who was an outspoken Christian as well as famous for his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. If you’re looking for a place to send your kids for college, I’d suggest you check out PHC. Their mission is Christian centric, but they encourage people to explore facts. What a breath of fresh air in this world where the secular establishment of education often tries to suppress discussion of God and the religious establishment sometimes stifles freedom to kick the tires of truth. We as believers should not be afraid to go where the evidence leads, because ultimately with an open mind, reasonable and rational people will find the truth, and it shall set them free

This movie features the moot court competition, a setting of great intellectual challenge. I love movies that set the table with a Christian main course and side dishes of probing intellectual issues. The movie actually had three themes going on at the same time. The main thrust of the movie was the abortion issue. I have heard of Roe versus Wade for much of my life, but now I understand more of what it is about. Ironically I have stayed away from that controversy for just as long. That has changed. I’m throwing myself into that fight as well as all the other controversies that I have addressed in my novels. My current work in progress will shine a spotlight on this murder of innocents. The second theme was that we as ambassadors of Christ must do what is right, no matter what the consequences. We must stand and let our voices be heard in society, even if we become the butt of the contemporary pundits’ slings and arrows of outrageous humor. And even if we know we will lose the fight. The third theme concerns the sanctity of love and marriage. I was gratified because this movie conveys ideas that I already am working on, confirming that I'm headed in the right direction. My story line is quite different and a bit edgier, but I now have a renewed vision of what the Lord would have me do, and I’m excited. My prayers are with this group that plans to battle against the values (or lack thereof) that Hollywood is foisting off upon the denizens of planet Earth in the name of entertainment.

The excellent cast of this movie is entirely made up of unknowns, perfect proof that you don’t need big name stars to create a movie with a powerful voice. God through the ages has accomplished his goals through “little people.” such as Moses, David, Jonah, a carpenter and wife, and even a little baby born in poverty in a manger. Hollywood no doubt laughs at the attempts of amateurs to compete with their high-tech, money bloated offerings. If this group and other Christian producers continue to put out movies like this one, the laughter might soon be muffled. The script was excellent. Usually Christian movies have a tendency to beat you over the head with “truth.” This one uses understatement and subtlety to let the viewer discover and interpret for himself the nuggets which are relevant.  I loved a back and forth scene where mother and son are arguing different sides of the same question at different venues – she before the Supreme Court and he before the moot court finals. That was followed by the most emotionally powerful scene in the movie where the mother watches the video of her son's argument.

There was no blatant display of church or prayer in this movie, something that might be a negative in some people’s minds. However, this is a tool of evangelism as well as a defense of the family values that we hold dear. When you’re attempting to preach to those who are not members of the choir, sometimes things have to be toned down to preclude viewers from tuning out. This movie I believe succeeds at preserving truth but presenting it in a non-threatening way. The appeal will be to those who possess intelligence, since there is no action or slapstick comedy here to amuse those of lightweight understanding. I highly recommend that all of you watch it. You can see it online at http://www.onenewsnow.com/comewhatmay/#seg1

You can support their ministry by purchasing the movie. You can get multiple copies for $18 at www.adventfilmgroup.com. I love being able to see a movie before I shell out hard earned money. From now on I only buy the movies that I want to see again and again. This one qualifies.

About the reviewer:  Donald James Parker is a novelist and computer programmer who resides in Madison, South Dakota.  Check out his website at www.donaldjamesparker.com?tcp.

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