Flywheel (film)

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For a heavy rotating disk, see Flywheel.
Flywheel

Flywheel
Directed by Alex Kendrick
Produced by Alex Kendrick
Written by Alex Kendrick,
Stephen Kendrick
Starring Lisa Arnold,
Alex Kendrick,
[Tracy Goode]
Distributed by Sherwood Pictures
Release date(s) 2003-01-01
Running time 120 minutes
Country U.S.A.
Language English
Budget $20,000
Followed by Facing the Giants
IMDb profile

Flywheel is an American drama film released in 2003. It was directed by Alex Kendrick who also stars as car salesman Jay Austin. The film unapologetically carries an evangelical Christian message.

Kendrick, who is a church pastor, read a survey where it was reported that films have become more influential in society than churches. He and his staff have become busy creating films which reflect their values.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Jay Austin attends church, but doesn't let his assumed faith affect the way he sells cars. He takes any opportunity to make money, even to the point of overcharging his pastor. According to the website http://www.flywheelthemovie.com, "Austin does everything his way until his dishonesty and manipulation are repeatedly exposed." Eventually, Austin becomes ashamed of the way he does business and decides to make amends. This film shows a man's emotional journey as he comes to terms with his life and how he has treated the people in it. He humorously returns money to customers he has cheated and seeks the forgiveness of those he has hurt. This includes his wife, son, and local community. Acclaimed for its storyline, the movie Flywheel is known for bringing both laughter and tears.

[edit] Cast

  • Alex Kendrick as Jay Austin
  • Janet Lee Dapper as Judy Austin
  • Roger Breland as Mr. Austin
  • Richie Hunnewell as Todd Austin
  • Lisa Arnold as Hillary Vail
  • Walter Burnett as Max Kendall
  • Tracy Goode as Bernie Meyers
  • Rutha Harris as Katie Harris
  • Treavor Lokey as Vince Berkley
  • Steve Moore as Dan Michaels

[edit] Production

Flywheel is the first full-length feature film by Sherwood Pictures, a production company created by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. After reading a national survey that said movies and television were now more influential than religion in America, Associate Pastors Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick determined to use that information positively.

Alex Kendrick, media director at Sherwood Baptist Church, created the storyline for Flywheel after trying to buy a new car. Sherwood's senior and executive pastors, Michael Catt and Jim McBride, agreed with the ministry direction and approved the project. The church received $20,000 in private donations for the film.

Flywheel was mainly shot with one digital video camera (Canon XL1s) and a homemade dolly and jib crane. No actors in the film were paid and no sets were constructed. All scenes in the film were shot in church members actual homes, and businesses. The cast and crew were composed of volunteers with previous experience making movies.

So how did this movie become such a success? Prayer. According to the official website for the movie http://www.flywheelthemovie.com: "Prayer was the key to the project. Alex and Stephen prayed as they fleshed out the story, the set team prayed before each day of shooting, and church members would pray during the editing process. God repeatedly used the passion of a church and teamwork to bring this movie to completion."

Flywheel premiered at the Carmike Wynnsong 16 Theater in Albany on April 9, 2003, after six months of production. It ran six weeks, beating out 12 Hollywood movies also playing there. Word began to spread about the film and soon pastors were promoting it to their congregations and families affected by it were emailing other families.

Since its success in Albany, Flywheel has been shown in theaters, hundreds of churches, schools, prisons, and five television networks (FamNet, Faith TV, INSP, Cornerstone, and TBN). More than 100,000 copies have been sold on both DVD and VHS. The film is also now distributed in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom.

According to the official website, "Flywheel has won numerous awards including The Gold Crown Award for Best Screenplay, and the 2004 Best Picture Award at the WYSIWYG Film Festival." In April of 2004, Sherwood Pictures began production on their second movie, FACING THE GIANTS which was released in 441 theaters on September 29, 2006. It became the #1 selling Christian movie in stores during 2007.

[edit] Reception

[edit] Box Office

Flywheel was shown in three theaters in Georgia, aired on five Christian television networks, followed by a video release. It has sold more than 100,000 copies and may be rented in many markets. TBN and other family television networks have shown the film, exposing it to more than 63 million viewers.[1] More than 200 churches have also shown the movie. Churches are granted a one year site license to show the film at $89 per year for churches with less than 100 people and $179 for churches with more than 100 people.[2]

[edit] Critics

Critical reviews of the film have been mixed, perhaps due to the variety of worldviews among movie viewers. [3] [4] Even so, many of these critics often express respect for the quality of acting and screenplay despite the low budget and lack of professional talent.

The film won seven Christian film awards.[5]

[edit] References

All references and external links verified 2006-11-03 unless noted.

  1. ^ http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52271 verified 2006-11-05
  2. ^ http://www.providentfilms.org/providentfilms/fly_products.asp#fly_pro_lic verified 2007-11-01
  3. ^ FlyWheel on T. Rex's Movie Reviews
  4. ^ FlyWheel on IMDb
  5. ^ IMDb

[edit] External links