Published in: Indie Film Reviews

Indie Film Review “Only God Can”

Author OneFilmFan

Published on: April 2, 2016

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

First, the Recap:

The seeking of absolution. Finding that place of peace within ourselves that allows us to finally let go of burdens which have, perhaps, dominated our lives for far too long can be a painful journey. Yet, once experienced, the freedom it brings is completely transformational. The choices necessary to get to that inner exoneration, however, sometimes seem impossible to make. Five life-long friends–strong Christians Sara (Lisa Sheridan) and Gracie (Vanessa Lee Evigan), hard-working banker/poet Patrice (Robbi Chong), constantly on-the-go Glen (Debra Capps), and carefree yet damaged Coley (Donna D’Errico)–gather at Coley’s mansion on the beach in Charleston, SC for a weekend every year to catch up with each other’s lives, or moreso dish on each other’s chosen paths.

For Sara and Gracie, sharing about their faith and relationship with God is paramount, much to the slight, or not so slight, annoyance of the others. Patrice’s listening ear and firm demeanor can be either a blunt instrument or reassuring presence, Glen’s involvement with a women’s shelter masks deeper, hurtful issues transpiring, and Coley’s champagne lifestyle and prickly attitude creates tension while battling her own demons. When an unanticipated change of circumstances shakes the women to the core, Sara chooses to stand up boldly and be a voice of faith to her friends in a much more profound way than ever before, even as her own situations, including a friendship with local pastor, Rodney (Greg Evigan), begin to take new shapes, while all their pilgrimages to God ensue.

Next, my Mind:

Beautifully filmed, with gorgeous settings via the beaches, homes, and downtown locales of Charleston as its backdrops, director Randall Owens, co-writers Colette Harrington Schwoeri and Terry Ward Tucker, plus producer Linda Flannery deliver a human, poignant, stirring, emotive, and unapologetic narrative about the power of faith in God that will impact the viewer strongly with its message, confidently showcasing our inner need for healing, forgiveness, and genuine love. While it is evident the overall audience the story aims for is of the female persuasion, don’t let that stop you, men, from taking a shot at this effort, as the project’s grander essence and implications reach to any and all hearts, even if on a more intimate, and for this reviewer, necessary level. Journeys of transformation and acceptance of God know no genders, folks.

Sheridan’s performance is an absolute treasure as Sara, a woman deeply and sincerely immersed in her faith and desiring her friends to learn about that themselves while searching her own heart for life’s next steps. Likewise, Evigan’s role as Gracie is a completely innocent, beautiful picture of newly discovered faith, struggling still for all the answers, but firm in her newfound beliefs. Chong makes Robbi the poster child for modern social justice while still managing to let her poetic aspirations and nurturing loyalty to friends come out as well. Capps’ raw portrayal of Glen is fantastic, as she so deftly infuses the picture of the modern, hard-working/driven woman who’s idea of faith is about good deeds, with the sheer pain of what’s really going on beneath it all.

Next is veteran D’Errico’s simply heart-wrenching role as Coley, whose own path of self-importance is only overshadowed by the road of self-destruction she’s on, even when attempting to somehow put across the semblance of love for her friends who truly care about her. Finally, B.J. McKay himself, Greg Evigan, adds a wonderfully whimsical yet realistic turn as Pastor Rodney, who becomes ultimately involved in the lives of all the women, but especially Sara’s. Add an affecting song, “This Is Not My Home”,  performed by artist Will Champlin, a solid supporting cast, plus a box of tissues and what we have in “Only God Can” is a profoundly presented, vivid, fearless film that illustrates how all the things we doubt can become everything we believe.

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment.  Until next time, thank you for reading!