FORGIVEN

US, 2016, 79 minutes, Colour.

Kevin Sorbo, Casey Fuller, Jenn Gotzon, Reegus Flenory.

Directed by Kevan Otto.

This is a film principally for audiences who appreciate faith-films. It is far too explicit in its preaching, its quotations from the Scriptures, the use of the story of Jesus on the cross and the good thief for audiences who are non-believers.

It is also a film principally for American audiences, for audiences who like feelings and sentiment, heart on their sleeves rather than more indirect communication. Even sympathetic faith-audiences from outside the US may find this too much, especially the relationship between the two sisters, their father, and behaviour during the siege in the church.

This is one of several faith films from the writer-director, Kevan Otto, with titles including Pardoned by Grace, A Question of Faith, The Prayer Box, Grace of God.

However, it is actually a blend of faith film, hymn singing, service, congregation, preaching, along with a violent struggle between a man and woman, shots going off, the man bewildered and driving away, finally going into a church, and a siege and hostage film.

Kevin Sorbo, star of many of the Faith-films, is at hand as the coordinator as the coordinator of siege and negotiations. There are decisions to be made, contacts through mobile phone, and restraining the aggressive eagerness of some of the other police.

While there are the conventions of the siege film, gunpoint, Pastor with a heart attack and having to be taken to hospital, bringing in the food, smuggling in of a mobile phone, the latter part of the film is the interaction between the older daughter of the pastor, Elizabeth, Jenn Gotzon, and Jim, the hostage taker (Casey Fuller). Fuller gives a rather quiet performance, a sense of desperation and fear, uncertainty, whereas Jenn Gotzon i almost too much as Elizabeth, earnest, trying to be persuasive, quoting the Scriptures, telling the story of Jesus on the cross.

The important theme is forgiveness no matter what and the consequences on the person forgiven.

1. A faith film? Very explicit? Yet incorporating the action of the siege and hostages? The combination?
2. The small religious communities and small American towns? The church sequence, the pastor and his leadership, genial, the two daughters and their bond, the congregation, the singing of Amazing Grace? The opening credits and How Great Thou Art?
3. Jim, returning home, anger with his girlfriend, demanding his meal, her pulling the gun, the struggle, her being shot, his bewilderment, getting in the car, driving to the church, going into the church? The pastor and the two daughters, holding them at gunpoint?
4. The police, Mike and his associate, in the car, the speeding, going to the church, contacting Morgan? The siege situation? Morgan in charge, the setting up of the headquarters in the church room, radio contact, the increasing number of police?
5. The situation in the church, the gun, the women and their fear, Jim and his uncertainties, the gun, keeping them quiet, Elizabeth and her continually speaking out? Putting Jim off guard? The pastor and his heart attack, the daughters and their concern, Jim allowing the father to be taken out, the daughter going? The police coming in with the stretcher and observing?
6. Jim, his tactics, the police outside, his thinking he had killed his girlfriend? Getting the daughter to go to the door and observe? The mobile phone, putting it on speaker, Morgan and the contact, the offer of food, allowing the police into take the father away?
7. The father, in the ambulance, the later news of his death? The flashbacks and his relationship with his daughters? Especially Elizabeth and her memory of having to forgive as a little girl? The context of his sermon at the beginning of the film, no limits to forgiveness? The story of Jesus and the good thief?
8. Elizabeth, talking, Jim and his hesitations, getting the Bible, quoting it, his lack of church background, with the Bible, the story of the good thief? His reaction and pushing the Bible away? Elizabeth and getting through to him?
9. Allowing the food, bringing it in? Sitting on the floor, communicating?
10. Mike and his eagerness to attack? Morgan and his hesitations? Talking with Elizabeth?
11. The tactic of women’s needs, coming in with the food, the mobile phone, going to the toilet and using it?
12. The finale, Mike and the police at the door, his image of Elizabeth, the reality of her pleading, urging Jim to surrender, and the news that his girlfriend had not been killed? Mike interpreting that she was pleading for her life?
13. Morgan giving the okay, Elizabeth standing in front of Jim, his giving up?
14. Elizabeth hearing the news that her father had died, the challenge to her forgiving Jim.
15. The happy ending, church, Jim arriving, with the congregation?
16. The impact for a nonreligious audience, the very American heart on sleeve emotions, the quotations from the Bible, the faith discussions? The impact for a religious audience, confirmation in faith and belief?