| Fireproof | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Alex Kendrick |
| Produced by | Alex Kendrick Stephen Kendrick David Nixon |
| Written by | Alex Kendrick Stephen Kendrick |
| Starring | Kirk Cameron Erin Bethea Ken Bevel Perry Revell Stephen Dervan Eric Young Jason McLeod |
| Music by | Mark Willard |
| Cinematography | Bob Scott |
| Editing by | Alex Kendrick Bill Ebel |
| Distributed by | Samuel Goldwyn Films Affirm Films |
| Release date(s) | USA September 26, 2008 South Korea September 18, 2009 |
| Running time | 122 min. (DVD - 118 min.) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $500,000 |
| Box office | $33,473,297 |
Fireproof is a 2008 American Christian drama film released by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Affirm Films ,[1] directed by Alex Kendrick, who co-wrote and co-produced it with Stephen Kendrick. The film stars Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea, Ken Bevel, Perry Revell, Stephen Dervan, Eric Young and Jason McLeod.
While reviews for the film were positive from Christian film critics, they were mostly negative from other film critics.[2][3] The film was successful at the box office, becoming a surprise hit,[4] debuting at #4 and becoming the highest-grossing independent film of 2008, grossing over $33,000,000.[5] It received awards from evangelical Christian organizations, including the Best Feature Film award at the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.
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Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) is a firefighter in Albany, Georgia who holds the motto "Never leave your partner behind". However, his relationship with his wife Catherine (Erin Bethea) is suffering to a point that she wants a divorce.
Caleb and Catherine each fault the other for the disintegration of their relationship. Among Catherine's complaints are Caleb's addiction to internet pornography and a large sum of money ($24,000) he had saved up for a boat that he eventually intends to buy, ignoring the fact that Catherine's disabled mother is in need of hospital equipment that she cannot afford, and which their insurance would not cover. When Caleb tells his father, John, about the impending divorce, John challenges Caleb to commit to a 40-day test that he calls the "Love Dare", and Caleb agrees. Initially Catherine doubts Caleb's sincerity in his attempts to win her back, because of his half-hearted attempts at completing the Love Dare, but Caleb continues with encouragement from his father and his close friend Michael (Ken Bevel), who also encourages him to become a born-again Christian.
In the meantime, at the hospital where she works, Catherine begins flirting with Dr. Gavin Keller (Perry Revell), who does not know that she is married, since she is no longer wearing her wedding ring. She informs him of her mother's medical situation. Around this time, Caleb injures his arm when rescuing a girl from a house fire and is brought to Catherine's hospital, where a nurse inadvertently says in front of Dr. Keller that Caleb is Catherine's husband.
As he continues his 40-day challenge, Caleb begins doing more household chores and running more errands for Catherine, and leaves her roses. Caleb even smashes his computer to pieces with a baseball bat in order to remove the temptation of viewing internet pornography. Regardless, Catherine, who is led by some colleagues to think that Caleb did all these things with an ulterior motive in mind, is still intent on divorce. When she later finds out that the equipment needed for her mother's medical care has been paid for in full, she arranges a lunch date with Dr. Keller, thinking that he was the benefactor. Caleb discovers Dr. Keller's relationship with Catherine and immediately informs him that he won't let him have Catherine without a fight. Catherine's friends misinterpret the confrontation as a threat, but they do not tell her since the Holts' marriage doesn't concern them. Dr. Keller, who does not want to be an obstacle in their marital squabbles and is already married anyway, quietly breaks off his relationship with Catherine.
Caleb later finds Catherine at home sick, and decides to take care of her. At this point she asks Caleb why he has changed his behavior, and he mentions "The Love Dare." Caleb then fully apologizes to Catherine for his past selfishness.
Days later, Catherine learns that of the $24,300 cost of her mother's medical equipment, Dr. Keller gave only $300 and Caleb gave $24,000, exhausting his boat savings. At this point she becomes convinced that his desire to change was sincere. Ashamed at her inability to think that Caleb's change in behavior, Catherine digs out her ring, dresses herself up nicely and puts on make-up and rushes to her husband's fire station. There she embraces her husband with all the respect and admiration he craved before.
Caleb's parents are relieved to know that their son's marriage has been saved and Caleb expresses his thanks to his dad for the love dare. At that point, Caleb's dad explains that his mother was the one who did the love dare on him instead of the other way around. Immediately after hearing this, Caleb rushes home and apologizes to his mother for criticizing her all those years. The couple then renews their wedding vows in an outdoor ceremony, this time as a covenant with God.
According to the film's novelization, Catherine's mother participates in a special Wheel of Fortune episode for people with disabilities, winning Caleb a boat.[6]
Fireproof's supporting cast also included nearly 1,200 volunteers from Sherwood Baptist Church.[4]
Fireproof was filmed during various days of October–December 2007. The production was based on a budget of $500,000. It was shot in 16 locations, all of which were donated. Craig von Buseck of the Christian Broadcasting Network said that the movie 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. 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."[4]
| Fireproof: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Various | |
| Released | July 14, 2009 |
| 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.
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]
Fireproof was released on September 26, 2008, and received an MPAA rating of PG for "thematic material and some peril."[12]
Fireproof has received generally mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave it rating of 40%, based on 20 reviews. The site's "Top Critics" gave it a 50% rating.[13] Metacritic gave it a metascore of 28%, based on 6 reviews.[14] Ed Gonzalez of LA Weekly said, "Fireproof stops becoming relatable to us all and only to the already, or easily, indoctrinated."[15] 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."[16]
Josh Rosenblatt of The Austin Chronicle criticized the film's story, saying it "makes for fruitful soul-fishing but lousy drama."[17] 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."[18] 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."[19]
Fireproof's advance sales accounted for 40% of all Fandango sales the week before the film opened.[20] It was released on September 26, 2008 in 839 theaters[21] and grossed $6,836,036 in its opening weekend, placing at #4.[22] During its run, Fireproof had a domestic gross of $33,456,317,[23] 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.[24] It was the highest grossing independent film of 2008.[5]
The film later gained a theatrical release in South Korea and grossed $16,980.
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,[25] and a commentary by the Kendrick Brothers.[26] On its first weekend of DVD release, it ranked third in retail sales[27] and fifth in rentals with a rental index of 51.02.[28] After the upcoming weeks, it sold $28,507,308 in DVD sales.[29]
2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival
17th Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards Gala
The Dove Foundation's Crystal Seal Awards
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