Cinemazlowski New Christian movie asks filmgoers 'Do You Believe?'

Mar 23, 2015

There’s been an interesting movement going on in Hollywood over the past couple of years, one which could almost be called a revolution. Movies with strong Christian or Biblical messages are coming out at a pretty fast pace, ranging from movies like “Son of God” and “Noah” to “Heaven Is For Real” and “Unbroken.”

But one movie in particular seemed to capture the zeitgeist of that wave of films more than most: a little $2 million movie called “God’s Not Dead,” which rode a smart social-media plan all the way to $60 million at the box office. Its only recognizable actor was Kevin Sorbo, who was a worldwide TV star in the “Hercules” TV series before turning largely to making Christian movies, but “GND” still resonated because its mostly  fundamentalist-Christian fan base was inspired to support  a movie that strongly supported their faith.

As a result, the writer-producers of “GND” are back with a new movie called “Do You Believe?”, which opened this past weekend nationwide. It’s a far more ambitious and compelling movie than their prior one, weaving together the stories of 12 people in Chicago who are all facing crises of faith while being far less heavy-handed about its message.

But more impressively, it has a cast that is filled with veteran actors who bring the stories greater depth and power than anything “GND” attempted to achieve. Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino plays a struggling mother with a sick daughter, while Sean Astin of “The Lord of the Rings” and “Rudy” fame plays a doctor who thinks science holds all the answers to life’s questions. Lee Majors (“The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The Fall Guy”) and Delroy Lindo (a leading African-American actor from literally dozens of prime movies) also play key parts.

But at the core of it all are two veteran actors, Cybill Shepherd and Ted McGinley, who lead the way as a woman struggling with the loss of her child years before, and the pastor whose sermon asking people if they believe in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the key to bringing all the stories together. The movie does approach Christianity from a fundamentalist, born-again point of view, but it’s a big step in the right direction for faith-based films and the success of these kinds of movies bodes well for ambitious Catholic filmmakers to get their feet in the door with something besides exorcism thrillers as well.

“You don’t get a chance to do that kind of movie very often,” says Shepherd, speaking at a press event recently at the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills. “I was very moved by the script. I had started talking to Jesus again the past couple of years, asking help me be more healthy and live in a way that makes me feel better about myself, and then two weeks later I got this role.

“I wish people would take away the idea that we should help each other and go the extra mile,” continues Shepherd, who has re-embraced the Episcopalian faith of her childhood. “Do unto each other as you would have done to you, the Golden Rule.”

Asked about whether she would pursue more roles in Christian-themed films, Shepherd said she would be certain to if the scripts were as good as “Do You Believe?” She feels that the swarm of name actors who jumped on the new movie was a sincere attempt to do meaningful work in a compelling story.

“I just want to say what appealed to me about the story wasn’t just being Christian, but it being a great dramatic part for me,” says Shepherd. “I didn’t think about the other one being a hit. After crying at the script, I did the happy dance over getting to do it. Even with six straight weeks of Michigan nights in winter. I’d tell any actor, if you get a great part to play what are you going to do, turn it down? Do it!”

For McGinley, the opportunity to star in “Do You Believe?” was the perfect culmination to his life and career, as he has mostly gained fame in secular roles on sitcoms like “Married with Children” and “Happy Days,” in addition to movies like “Revenge of the Nerds,” but has always harbored a strong Christian faith personally.

“I might have played a pastor once or twice in the past – right before I killed someone in the role,” says McGinley. “But this is a great guy, a good husband, he loves his wife, but being unable to have kids is their bump in the road. I related to this guy who was trying to do a good thing and helps a pregnant teenager.

“At the start, he has this encounter with a street preacher carrying a 12 foot cross in an intersection, who could be seen as crazy,” McGinley continues. “He thinks he’s doing all he can as a pastor, but the preacher says 'Do you believe?' and then has an encounter with a group of thugs . My character realizes that this is life and death, does he have that courage? He writes the sermon the next morning that brings all these people’s stories together, asking everyone, 'Do you believe?'”

McGinley says he has watched pastors and priests his entire life, and has admired their ability to command an audience with a meaningful message during sermons and homilies. He himself contemplated being a pastor before turning to acting, but he believes his new role shows the impact that a great sermon can have on a life.

“I’m hoping that people on the edge, that it will allow them to see what a real message of giving is like,” says McGinley. “This is about man, humanity, struggling with the perils of their life. Overcoming what is there, they can be faithful.”

“Do You Believe?” Is playing in theatres nationwide.