All Saints (2017) Reviews

• Embracing and Hopeful

  katetsubata2017-09-01

  I was pleasantly surprised by the strong acting and professional quality of this film. "All Saints" depicts the struggle of a fledgling pastor to revive a nearly-defunct church, while trying to meet the needs of a wave of refugees from war-torn Burma. While many faith- based films focus on miraculous conversions and battles with the secular, this film dealt with the more prevalent problems many congregations experience. Shrinking membership and aging populations, as well as the financial struggles of maintaining buildings--these are the painful reality for many faith communities. Poised for dissolution, the All Saints Episcopal church is about to be sold off, and the members scattered. Rather than go along with the sale, the people band together--old and new--to try to save the church through growing produce. The story is powerful, and the filmmakers have mixed professional actors and actual congregation members in the cast. This, and the use of the actual church and grounds for the filming location, brings a strong authentic feel to the film. Audiences will resonate with both the dilemma--and the solutions found by the main characters. Kudos to all for a relevant and uplifting film!

• Its all about community

  Molongirl2017-09-07

  This a such a good true story on how a failing church is totally revitalised by the most unlikely of preachers and also how "community" can develop among the most unlikely groups of people. Cultural differences, age differences disappear as they work together toward a common goal. When a preacher is told to close a church and sell off the land it seems just another move in the downsizing of churches and their people. Then the miracle happens, no not the Hollywood "happy ever after" sort of miracle where all crops would be harvested, there would be no floods nor trucks impounded on a hot day, but the real miracle of people learning to listen to each other, to work together, to respect each other, to love each other. The speech by the Karen man to the church leaders is a focal point and grounded the movie, such a moving moment and so heart breaking, so well done.The simplicity and honesty of this speech helps the church leaders and us as viewers get a small glimpse of what others have suffered and what "mission"actually is. Each main character learns so much from the experience of trying to save the church and the movie demonstrates it well, the preacher, that sometimes we think God calls us to do something for a particular reason when in reality it is a totally different plan He has in mind. The church leaders learn to listen and one particular one hears again his call to ministry and lastly the ordinary people learn not to give up. A good story told well and with a sense of humour, do go and see this, you'll feel better for it.

• This movie will make you cry

  pezcleo2017-08-27

  Its the true story of Burmese refuges, a new pastor with a dying church. Disclosure I background actor on the film. (I'm on the cutting room floor) So knew what the story was in general a year ago. This film moved me to tears 3 times after seeing it for the first time. Even if you are not person of faith, this will move you. Don't want spoil it just go see it in the theater!

• A nice film you can take your mother and children to see

  MartinHafer2017-09-28

  While Hollywood is loathe to admit it, while the studios often make money, a very large percentage of the public simply never goes to movies. Some of this, no doubt, is because movies often are filled with violence and other offensive content and many choose not to see it and spend their dollars on such films. Fortunately, in recent years various small studios have sprung up to fill this gap...and "All Saints" is among the best of these films I have seen. This is the inspirational story of All Saints Episcopal Church, which is in rural Tennessee. The church was about to be sold as the membership had dwindled down to almost nothing. Reverend Spurlock (John Corbett) is brought in to close up shop, so to speak, but ended up leading an effort to try to save the church property because it had just become such an important part of a group of Burmese refugees' lives...and with their help he worked himself practically to death to save something many felt wasn't worth saving. While technically speaking, there are films that look a bit better and feature CGI and huge stars, this one manages to entertain anyway and it sure didn't hurt that the picture had Corbett and a few other familiar faces. Overall, very well made and uplifting...the sort of film you could take anyone to see (unless, perhaps, they are Satan worshipers...I would take them to see "It" instead).

• Share this story with your children

  lmbeene2017-09-02

  Based on a true story. Great back story. Relax and escape the stress of your life while in the theater routing for the success of these people. Run, don't walk to the theater. The story line is one of determination and who doesn't need that right about now. Go see the movie and then hear me say, "I told you so."