Fireproof (film)

Fireproof

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Alex Kendrick
Produced by
Screenplay by
  • Alex Kendrick
  • Stephen Kendrick
Story by
  • Alex Kendrick
  • Stephen Kendrick
Starring
Music by Mark Willard
Cinematography Bob Scott
Edited by
  • Alex Kendrick
  • Bill Ebel
Production
company
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 26, 2008 (2008-09-26)
Running time
 122 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $500,000
Box office $33,473,297[1]

Fireproof is a 2008 American Christian drama film released by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Affirm Films,[2] directed by Alex Kendrick, who co-wrote and co-produced it with Stephen Kendrick. The film stars Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea, and Ken Bevel.

Reviews for the film were "generally unfavorable" from film critics.[3][4] The film was successful at the box office, becoming a surprise hit,[5] debuting at No. 4 and becoming the highest-grossing independent film of 2008, grossing over $33 million.[6] It received awards from evangelical Christian organizations, including the Best Feature Film award at the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.

Plot

Married couple Caleb (Kirk Cameron), a fire captain, and Catherine Holt (Erin Bethea), a hospital administrator are experiencing marital difficulties. At work Caleb underscores the importance of never leaving one's partner while at home he and Catherine argue copiously. Catherine accuses Caleb of being selfish due to his desire to buy a boat taking preference over paying for her mother's medical bills, and frustrated over his habitual use of internet pornography. Caleb feels unappreciated and undervalued. Their constant arguing causes Catherine to demand a divorce, to which an enraged Caleb agrees.

Caleb's coworker Michael (Ken Bevel) and father John (Harris Malcom) convince him to hold off on divorce proceedings. His father persuades him to try the Love Dare, a 40-day challenge for improving marriages by changing the way a spouse is treated. Caleb reluctantly agrees, though he decides not to tell Catherine. At the hospital where she works, Catherine has been openly flirting with Dr. Gavin Keller (Perry Revell).

Caleb begins The Love Dare halfheartedly while nurses at Catherine's hospital warn her not to trust him. With encouragement from his father and Michael, Caleb continues, though Catherine eschews his affections and grows closer to Dr. Keller. Finding Catherine unmoved, Caleb is consoled by his father while Michael reveals that he has been divorced. Caleb sustains burns on the job, and while being treated at the hospital where his wife works, Dr. Keller inadvertently discovers that Catherine is married and he is treating her husband, but continues his affections. Caleb continues The Love Dare with renewed faith and Catherine gives him an envelope petitioning for divorce.

Catherine discovers that her mother's medical costs have been paid anonymously and assumes it was Dr. Keller, bringing them closer. Caleb discovers the burgeoning affair and confronts the doctor. After Caleb leaves, the Dr. Keller produces a wedding band, revealing that he is also married, and ends his affections towards Catherine.

Catherine confronts Caleb after discovering his Love Dare journal, and he reveals to her that he has completed the challenge but is still following it's guidelines. Catherine says she needs time reconsider the divorce, and discovers that her husband used his savings to pay her mother's medical bills. Moved by Caleb's selflessness, Catherine reconciles with him. Caleb discovers that his mother, whom he has treated poorly, is actually the one who completed The Love Dare for his father, and not vice versa as Caleb had originally thought. The film ends with Caleb and Catherine renewing their wedding vows.

Cast

The film's supporting cast also included nearly 1,200 volunteers from Sherwood Baptist Church.[5]

Production

Principal photography for Fireproof took place during October–December 2007 in 16 locations, all of which were donated. Craig von Buseck of the Christian Broadcasting Network said that the film was, "beautifully shot in and around Albany, Georgia, home to Sherwood Baptist Church."[8] The Albany Fire Department donated its fire station locations, trucks and even some of its crew for use during the filming.[9] The producers were also given use of a train and a hospital wing. The film's cast and crew were made up of 1,200 volunteers, along with a professional film crew of eight who worked below rate.

Soundtrack

Fireproof: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by Various
Released July 14, 2009 (2009-07-14)
Genre Christian
Length 57 minutes
Label Provident Label Group

The film soundtrack for Fireproof was released on July 14, 2009.[10] It features songs by Christian groups and artists, such as Casting Crowns and Third Day, as well as highlights of the film's score, composed by Mark Willard.

  1. "Fireproof" – Main Title (2:11)
  2. "Brighter Days" – Leeland (3:44)
  3. "This is Who I Am" – Third Day (2:32)
  4. "On the Tracks" (6:08)
  5. "The Love Dare" (1:02)
  6. "Slow Fade" – Casting Crowns (4:40)
  7. "Not Good Enough" (1:00)
  8. "What You Don't Have" (2:37)
  9. "House Fire" (6:01)
  10. "While I'm Waiting" – John Waller (4:52)
  11. "Temptation" (2:52)
  12. "The Apology" (2:43)
  13. "Personal Sacrifice" (3:48)
  14. "You Belong to Me" – Grey Holiday (1:50)
  15. "She Did It To Me" (1:50)
  16. "Love Is Not a Fight (Movie Version)" – Warren Barfield (4:28)
  17. "Bonus Track: While I'm Waiting (Fireproof Remix)" – John Waller (4:49)

Awards

In 2010, the soundtrack for the film was nominated for a Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.[11]

Release

Marketing

Instead of marketing with television spots and billboards, Fireproof's marketers invited Christian publications to the set and screened the film early for pastors and church groups. Meyer Gottlieb, president of Samuel Goldwyn Films said, "The marketing is more grass roots."[5]

Box office

Fireproof's advance sales accounted for 40% of all Fandango sales the week before the film opened.[12] It was released on September 26, 2008 in 839 theaters[13] and grossed $6,836,036 in its opening weekend, placing at No. 4.[14] During its run, Fireproof had a domestic gross of $33,456,317,[15] more than triple the lifetime earnings of its predecessor, Facing the Giants, and moving it into the top 6 grossing Christian films of all time.[16] It was the highest grossing independent film of 2008.[6]

Critical reception

Fireproof has received generally mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave it rating of 40%, based on 20 reviews.[17] Metacritic gave it a metascore of 28, based on 6 reviews, signifying "Generally unfavorable reviews".[18] Ed Gonzalez of LA Weekly said, "Fireproof stops becoming relatable to us all and only to the already, or easily, indoctrinated."[19] Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter said, "While hardly sophisticated in its approach and certainly not polished in its technical elements, the film does get its heartfelt message across with undeniable sincerity. Its success at the box office, which will no doubt continue on home video, demonstrates that there's no shortage of filmgoers dissatisfied with cynical Hollywood product."[20]

Josh Rosenblatt of The Austin Chronicle criticized the film's story, saying it "makes for fruitful soul-fishing but lousy drama."[21] Joe Leydon of Variety gave the film a positive review, saying, "Cameron is genuinely compelling as Caleb, a work-obsessed firefighter on the verge of divorce from his neglected wife."[22] Cheryl Dickow of the Catholic Exchange said, "I feel it is necessary to send a message to Catholics everywhere that this is a movie worth seeing."[23]

Home media

Fireproof was released to DVD on January 27, 2009 and to Blu-ray on September 29, 2009. Included as special features are deleted scenes, bloopers, behind-the-scenes making-of featurettes,[24] and a commentary by the Kendrick Brothers.[25] On its first weekend of DVD release, it ranked third in retail sales[26] and fifth in rentals with a rental index of 51.02.[27] Through January 2016, it made $54.9 million in DVD sales.[28]

Accolades

2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival

17th Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards Gala

The Dove Foundation's Crystal Seal Awards

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fireproof movie info". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  2. ↑ Leydon, Joe (September 26, 2008). "Fireproof". Variety.
  3. ↑ "Fireproof Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. 2008-08-06. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  4. ↑ "Fireproof Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
  5. 1 2 3 Keegan, Rebecca Winters (October 3, 2008). "Fireproof: When Filmmakers Believe in Miracles". Time. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
  6. 1 2 Buss, Dale (January 21, 2009). "What Christians Watch". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  7. ↑ Dransfeldt, Jeffrey (September 26, 2008). "Devotion keeps actor Kirk Cameron centered". Ventura County Star. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  8. ↑ Buseck, Craig von (July 18, 2008). "Kirk Cameron is Fireproof in New Movie". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  9. ↑ Kendrick, Stephen (September 2, 2008). Stephen Kendrick Interview. Interview with C.J. Darlington. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Fireproof: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack To Release July 14". CMSpin. June 1, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
  11. ↑ 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees announced on The Tennessean (February 18, 2010)
  12. ↑ Bowles, Scott (September 27, 2008). "'Fireproof' Marries God, Filmmaking". ABC News. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Movie Fireproof". The Numbers. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Weekend Box Office Results for September 26–28, 2008". Box Office Mojo. September 26–28, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  15. ↑ "Weekend Box Office". Box Office Mojo. December 19–21, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Christian Movies". Box Office Mojo. November 5, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Fireproof (2008)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Fireproof: Samuel Goldwyn Films". Metacritic. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  19. ↑ Gonzalez, Ed (September 30, 2008). "Movie Reviews". LA Weekly. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Inspirational drama scores a surprise hit". The Hollywood Reporter. September 30, 2008. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  21. ↑ Rosenblatt, Josh (October 3, 2008). "Film Listings: Fireproof". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  22. ↑ Leydon, Joe (September 26, 2008). "Recently Reviewed: Fireproof". Variety. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Movie Review: Fireproof". Catholic Exchange. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  24. ↑ "New on DVD". WNDU-TV. January 27, 2009. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  25. ↑ "Fireproof Actor Talks about DVD Release". Christian Broadcasting Network. January 27, 2009. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  26. ↑ Arnold, Thomas K. (February 4, 2009). "Lakeview Terrace tops DVD charts". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2009.
  27. ↑ "DVD/Home Video Rentals". Home Media Retailing. Box Office Mojo. January 26 – February 1, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2009.
  28. ↑ "US DVD Sales Chart for Fireproof". The Numbers. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  29. ↑ Alanis, James (January 12, 2009). "Report from San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
  30. ↑ "San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival Announces 2009 Jubilee Award Winners". San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. January 12, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
  31. ↑ Snyder, Tom (February 12, 2009). "FIREPROOF Wins $100,000 Epiphany Prize". Movieguide. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  32. ↑ "Dove Foundation Announces Crystal Seal Award Winners". ChristianCinema.com. April 2, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2009.

External links

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