September 21, 2015/Comments Off on Captive the movie: WOW
On March 11, 2005 the Atlanta police locked the city down in a massive manhunt for Brian Nichols, an escaped convict who had bludgeoned his police escort, burst into the courtroom, murdered his judge and, before the day was over, killed three others.
Across town a meth addict widow, Ashley Smith, makes yet another promise to her recovery group and her daughter that she will show up clean. Hours later she holds a packet of crystal meth over the toilet…then rolls up a dollar bill and inhales it.
Out of all the women Nichols could have captured that that day and forced to hide him, he chose Ashley. Out of all the books Ashley could have been reading, the one on her kitchen table was Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life.
“Read it to me,” Brian orders. The words change both their lives.
In today's highly cynical culture Ken Wales has mastered the art of producing a movie that offers hope and redemption without being cheesy or overly sentimental. The producer of Amazing Grace, the story of British abolitionist William Wilberforce, has assembled an extraordinary team to bring the true story of that day to the screen.
Kate Mara (House of Cards) is a terrified but steely Ashley. David Oyelowo (Martin Luther King in Selma) plays a nuanced, almost sympathetic coiled-snake murderer.
“To play Dr. King was such an honor. To be in his headspace was so transformative,” Oyelowo told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “With Brian Nichols, you’re having to go to some dark places in your heart and mind.”
At one point in the movie, Brian, who was on trial for a brutal rape he swears he did not commit, tells Ashley, “I think I have a demon.”
Over the seven hours Brian holds Ashley hostage, they both battle their own demons. Both must decide if they will continue down their destructive paths. Both must decide if they love their children enough to give them something more than heartache and longing. Both must decide if God really might have a purpose for their torn-up lives.
Even if you remember the 2005 headlines, the terrific acting and pace of the movie keeps you gripping your popcorn bag. Both Mara and Oyelowo bring us into their character's internal, choose life or death struggles with the subdued micro-expressions and vocal inflection of seasoned actors. A skyward pleading look up segues to an all-seeing helicopter looking down on the neighborhoods below. Fine craft.
Three short passages from Warren’s book deliver the central message of the movie. The conversation is spare. Honest. "Could you forgive me?" "I don't know. But God can."
The characters do not preach. But like the book of Esther, the power of God flashes from every page/scene. I’m not one to easily tear up at movies, but the tragedy and beauty God has written into the real story of these two crashing, burning lives did it.
To spare the sermon and spotlight the story Ken and his team have delivered an extra message punch in creative ways. Don’t leave before the credits. And place the attractive card you receive with your ticket where others can read the quote from lead actor and co-producer Oyelowo: “The greatest blessing of following God’s purpose is a life that transcends your own, nourishing you and others more than you ever could have imagined.”
In theaters now. Don’t miss this movie. A great opportunity to support inspirational film-making at its best.
Captive” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned) for mature themes, violence and substance abuse.
Lael writes and speaks about faith and culture and how God renews our vision and desire for Him and his Kingdom. She earned a master's degree (MAT) in the history of ideas from the University of Texas at Dallas, and has taught Western culture and apologetics at secular and Christian schools and colleges. Her long-term experience with rheumatoid arthritis and being a pastor’s wife has deepened her desire to minister to the whole person—mind, heart, soul and spirit. Lael has co-hosted a talk radio program, The Things That Matter Most, on secular stations in Houston and Dallas about what we believe and why we believe it with guests as diverse as Dr. Deepak Chopra, atheist Sam Harris and VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer. (Programs are archived on the website.) Lael has authored four books, including a March 2011 soft paper edition of A Faith and Culture Devotional (now titled Faith and Culture: A Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith), Godsight, and Worldproofing Your Kids. Lael’s writing has also been featured in Focus on the Family and World magazines, and she has appeared on many national radio and television programs. Lael and her husband, Jack, now make their home in South Carolina.
