WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Purity. Peer pressure. Abstinence. Why wait? Let’s just call it like it is–sex is everywhere, bombarding us at every turn. Whether via T.V., films, the internet, magazines–or other people who believe that to be chaste is to be weak, spineless, no fun, even less than human. How about standing up for a higher standard, not out of perfection, but rather in faith that some things are worth waiting for? Fourteen year-old, recently moved newcomer Cheri Martin (Brittany Mann) knows all too well the teasing and damaging epithets fellow student Judy (Haleigh Johnson) hurls at her daily for being a virgin. Pressing to “correct” this, Judy singles out popular boy Duke (Hunter Johnson) as the means for Cheri’s devirginizing.
Feeling pressured on top of experiencing a rough home life with her father, Jeff (Collin Alexander Brown), who himself is reeling from loss both personally and spiritually, a potential choice is made. However, once the time comes to go through with the deed, convictions, doubts, and realizations come about that cause both Cheri and Duke to take a step back and re-evaluate the concepts of sex, real, meaningful relationships, and what it would mean to make a vow to stay pure until marriage. But standing for God and His truth holds challenges, as mistrust from Jeff about Cheri’s involvement with Duke causes him to initiate a less than amicable solution to the issue. Yet, one act opens the door for a transforming, faith-centered journey about standing firm and finding new roads to follow that ends up impacting them all.
Next, my Mind:
This second recently completed independent film effort from writer/producer/actor Donald James Parker, who co-directed this outing with Chip Rossetti, explores themes of abstinence, sexual purity, the value of waiting, and God-centered love, all which take center stage in a story equally as challenging in its intended message as was the case with Parker’s “Best Friends Recycled”. Tackling tough issues without flinching, “Love Waits” fully commits to sharing the Biblical truths about these concepts wholeheartedly in a context that isn’t threatening, but rather promotes one to absorb and consider the legitimacy and inspired reasoning behind what’s portrayed. In this highly sexualized age, it feels even more relevant for teens especially to give this tale a view, at minimum for a tangible, faith-based perspective.
Smartly using a fully capable cast of teens to portray key characters, Mann’s emotionally compromised and unsure Cheri successfully captures the essence of teen indecision when it comes to sex, especially while battling a home life less than ideal and filled with additional hurt. Hunter Johnson’s Duke is solid as well, playing the “typical” popular guy who’s “had” it all, but then gets faced with a moral decision he didn’t expect with Cheri. Haleigh Johnson’s Judy very much calls to mind every high school social diva who wants to rule the roost and make others do what she sees as “the norm” in order to be accepted, when ultimately having to face her own inner pain. Brown’s Jeff has an integral story of his own, which adds the tension to he and Cheri’s relationship.
Other necessary supporting turns like Youth Group leader Ariel (Donna Botts), unexpected neighbor with a purpose Jean (Penny Harrell) , Cheri’s friend Becky (Hannah Dohse), and teachers Ms. Finch (Courtney Lee Simpson) and Mr. Ireland (Parker) all bring elements in that affect the greater whole. Overall, “Love Waits” stands as another needed effort which uncompromisingly presents its ideas in a potent, human, and accessible way in order to promote real faith, sincere love, standing for integrity, and finding new paths to fulfillment.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
I have to question any review that uses a conjunction at the beginning of a sentence, and then ends that same sentence with a preposition. You’ve already broken two grammatical rules, would you care to go for three?
Really Malone? I get so sick of the grammar and spelling Nazi’s, who fancy themselves so superior as to disregard anyone who doesn’t adhere to their standards! A person can have a perfectly valid and informed opinion without perfect grammar! That is all.
Where can a person get this movie? Are there previews? Any chance it will be on Pureflix?