The Second Chance: Movie Review
02-16-2006
by Holly Walden Ross

"All God's Children Need a Second Chance…"

Back in the fall I had the opportunity to attend a sneak preview of Michael W. Smith's co-starring performance in his first feature film, The Second Chance. For almost a year I had heard the hype and excitement within the Christian music industry surrounding this film, but I wondered if it could truly stand up to the quality of the other features it would meet in the box office. Let's face it, with the exception of a few recent multi-million dollar budget hits, "Christian" movies aren't typically sell-outs.

So as I settled into my cushy theater seat, I wondered how this film would match up against its predecessors. What I discovered as the projector flickered along is that The Second Chance is really more of a movie about Christians than it is a "Christian movie." Director Steve Taylor is well known for executing the "roaring lambs" ideology in his past work (with artists breaching the mainstream such as Sixpence None the Richer and Chevelle).  His approach from the movie director's chair proves to be no different. The Second Chance addresses the cliché, "The most segregated time in America is on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m.," and provides a clear-cut example of two churches faced with the task of breaking down that barrier. My biggest concern was whether or not this film could be billed as "cheesy" and I was delighted to experience that it is not at all.

Michael W. Smith plays the character of Ethan Jenkins, an upper-middle class, rock star musician, pastor's son concerned most about  how much TV time he will get from the pulpit each Sunday at his father's suburban mega-church, The Rock. When the church board of directors holds a meeting without him and decides that "he needs his wings clipped," they assign him to the inner-city Second Chance Community Church to work alongside pastor Jake Sanders (excellently portrayed by jeff obafemi carr). Ethan's father, Jeremiah Jenkins (J. Don Ferguson), founded The Second Chance Community Church amid the civil rights demonstrations of the sixties, but has since lost his passion for inner-city work. After establishing The Rock, his new church plants are more often on other continents than within his city. Throughout the movie Jake and Ethan's personalities clash as they work side by side for the same God whom they view from two very different perspectives. Bits of witty, sarcastic humor lace their dialogue as Jake labels Ethan with the nickname "Gucci" and once introduces him to someone else as "a white man."

The Second Chance does an excellent job of portraying many different lifestyles and situations in a completely modern and realistic way. From the flat-panel TV in a custom-designed suburban home to an African family cooking goat meat on a grill in their unventilated city apartment, this movie paints a picture of disparate situations. Few people see this full spectrum of experience in their everyday lives. The film is not quick to be judgmental or offer a solution for every issue, and it addresses many (drugs, gangs, modesty in clothing for young girls, homelessness, racial reconciliation, materialism, money, power, and loving our enemies). Many situations are presented simply "as they are" creating a very realistic and relevant parallel between the film and real life. For example, when one man claims his Powerball ticket number in God's name during a Bible study prayer, he's not reprimanded afterwards but just gets a roll of the eyes from the pastors. The movie earns its PG-13 rating for a realistic depiction of violence and gang situations, as well as about two handfuls of mild curse words. (The cursing is pretty much the same level viewers would hear on a primetime TV show.)

Considering the backgrounds of Steve Taylor and Michael W. Smith, it makes sense that music ties this movie together. Fans of Smith's music will enjoy the worship music ("Total Praise") led by Ethan during The Rock's church service as well as the song "Come Now Is the Time to Worship" featured later in the movie, but that’s only one of many musical genres represented. Choir members from Jake's church perform a less-than-perfect version of a gospel song until Ethan decides to help them out with piano accompaniment. The opening sequence of the movie immediately greets viewers with the voice of Mac Powell from Third Day on the track "Movin' On Up." The rest of the film's soundtrack features a blend of hip hop, reggae and Gospel music with artists such as John Legend, Jars of Clay with the Blind Boys of Alabama, Reuben Studdard and Fred Hammond. Though she doesn't perform any music in the movie, viewers also catch a quick glimpse of Lisa Kimmey (Out of Eden) playing the part of a nun who serves food to the homeless in a park.

When the movie ended, I felt very pleasantly surprised at the quality of this picture. The acting was well done, the editing and cinematography were excellent, and the script provided many opportunities for me to self-reflect on my personal surroundings.  It challenged me to look for ways to break out of the stereotypical mold in which I live my life. The film ends by reminding viewers that the church is not simply a building, but the church is made up of PEOPLE, and that it's our responsibility to love those people even when we don't feel like giving them a second chance.

The Second Chance opens in 35 key markets this weekend and if it happens to be playing near you, I encourage you to go out and support this independent release. For movie clips, a trailer and a theater listing, check out http://www.thesecondchancemovie.com.