I received an advanced copy of the movie A Carpenter’s Prayer released by Forester Film and Huntington University, and I have to admit I was a little wary. The marketing made me think it was akin to some of those Christian Hallmark-style movies that you’d see on PureFlix but I gave it a shot, and I’M SO GLAD I DID. Not only did the film live up to the hype, even my teenage daughter thought it was an awesome movie (that means a lot more if you know my daughter…Hi, Abigail ❤️)
The synopsis from the A Carpenter’s Prayer website reads: “The inspiring true story of a pastor and his family building a new church and a troubled carpenter who becomes their unlikely source of hope, proving that faith in God is the true path to redemption, even in the most tragic circumstances” …and that sounded uplifting. But the movie is full of surprises not only in the events that unfolded in rural Michigan in the 70s, but in how it was made, the talent it involved, and the story itself.
Lance Clark is a professor at Huntington University and the film is a labor of love for him and Matt Webb, who wrote the screenplay and directed the film. I didn’t realize until the epilogue rolled, but Lance Clark is the SUBJECT of the film, not just the creator. Lance’s father Doyle Clark was a preacher in rural Michigan in the 70s, and was the impetus behind building the consolidated church at the center of the film.
And I don’t mean to bury the lead here but the actor who played Glenn Frank, (the washed-up, constantly-drunk country singer at the center of God’s work in the story) was played by Jeff Dernlan, a relatively unknown player who blew this role out of the water. Dernlan’s emotion throughout pulls you into Glenn’s messy life, and provides an endless stream of empathy for a man in who’s life God is not even nearly done working for and through. His constantly trailing off speech was the perfect fit for a man who is perpetually drunk, and added a layer of realism that you won’t find in many movies at this level.
If I tell you any more I’ll spoil it for you, but rest assured that the movie is worth the watch if you have ever been in need of God’s beautiful grace in a massive way, a la Glenn Frank. It’s currently not playing in Colorado but with plans to release on Video On Demand.
Wait….not playing in Colorado? Then what’s with the review here…in COLORADO, TJ?!? Well, I’m glad you asked, because you have the opportunity to BRING the film to Colorado. Simply head over to the acarpentersprayer.com, the film’s website and click on DEMAND to let the filmmakers know it’s wanted. They have several requests for colorado theaters, and Lance is working diligently to bring it here, with our help.
Here’s a trailer for the film, but take it from me, it will not do it justice. This film must be seen to be believed, so watch out for it in local theaters in September, and on video on demand sites like Amazon and AppleTV in the very near future.
