Saving God (2008)

I remember a theater director once telling me that 80% of directing is casting the right people. Saving God, starring Ving Rhames, Dean McDermott and Dwain Murphy is a film that validates my theater directors assessment.

Produced by Cloud Ten Pictures, which created the Left Behind trilogy, Saving God has the tough and powerful Rhames portray the equally intimidating convict-turned-pastor, Armstrong Cane. Cane, fresh out of prison, returns to his local, run-down church, determined to reach out to the inner city he once loved as a child.

As Cane makes his presence quickly known to the local hoods, including drug dealer Blaze, played with surprising creepiness by McDermott, people start to show renewed interest in the success of the small church.

The bulk of the story takes the macrocosm of life on the streets and boils it down to the touching story of Norris Johnson, played by the charming Murphy, who finds faith and renewed self esteem, leading him to try and change his life and move out from under the dangerous and watchful eye of the evil Blaze. The relationship between Johnson and Cane is wonderful and keeps you actively involved in the story.

But it's the performance of Rhames that keeps your eyes locked to the screen. His massive stature, short-fused temper and commitment to Jesus Christ is a great combination of contradictions. You really don't know what he might do next when push comes to shove. Will he revert to his youthful rage or rely on the soothing source of the Word of God?

The production value of this film is top notch and the performances are stellar. This film would easily be broadcast on television stations across the country if it weren't for the blatant acceptance of Jesus Christ as a requirement for salvation.

Saving God is making the festival rounds now and we can only hope it will garner enough positive feedback to get it distributed as widely as possible.