Fireproof

2008

Director: Alex Kendrick

Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films / Sherwood Pictures

My Review:

This. Is. My. Favorite. Movie.

Gosh, where to even start.

The message of the movie is that love isn’t easy, but it is worth it.

We have to work at loving, even when we don’t feel like it – the way Caleb has to serve Catherine in different ways each day.

And it takes sacrifice – the way Caleb gives up his dream for a boat to pay for Catherine’s dream of taking care of her mom.

And it takes self-discipline – the way Caleb destroys his computer to stop a porn habit that hurt Catherine.

A big part of the story is, in fact, discipline – learning to “lead your heart.”

But this discipline is balanced with the realization that we cannot truly love the way we are supposed to without Christ. It is through a relationship with him that we find the strength love requires. He is the ultimate role model.

I also liked the importance placed on the role of fathers in this story – even when the children are adults.

And it's great how porn is identified as a destroyer of marriages. It’s not a topic addressed often enough, but porn is tearing our world apart.

So in short, this movie matches reality with truth in a moving and effectively creative way.

Love. This. Movie.

Interesting note: A book based on the movie has already gained wide popularity for mending strained marriages in the real world. The movie’s message works.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• I want you to hold off on the divorce for 40 days. I’m going to send you something in the mail. Take one day at a time. Then see what happens.
• Everyday has me adding a new concept to the way I treat her.
  - My advice is: Go all out.
• You got to beg God to teach you how to be a good husband. And don’t just follow your heart – You got to lead your heart
• A real man’s got to be a hero to his wife before he can be to anyone else – or he ain’t a real man.
• Marriage isn't fireproof.
  - Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it.
• How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?
  - That's a good question.
• So, what day are you on?
  - Uh... 43.
  There's only 40.
  - Who says I have to stop?

Stills: