Unconditional

"Unconditional", starring Lynn Collins, Michael Ealy, Gabriella Phillips, Kwesi Boakye, and Bruce McGill and directed by Brent McCorkle is a gem of a little independent film. I saw this movie twice in the theaters despite its too brief and very limited release back in September 2012, and it is such a satisfying and inspiring drama that I can't recommend it enough!Lynn Collins plays Samantha Crawford, a successful author of children's stories, whose life is shattered when her husband is killed in a senseless violent mugging. After more than two years of trying to deal with the crushing emotional loss and searching for clues pointing to the killer, Sam reaches the end of her hope and sets out to end her own life at the place her husband died... but is providentially stopped when she sees a young child struck by a car in the alley and is moved to help her. From that point, Sam is reunited with Joe Bradford (Michael Ealy), an old childhood friend who looks after the young neighborhood kids, and she is drawn into his struggle to make better lives for the children growing up without the love and family bonds they all need to thrive. In the children's own personal struggles that ensue, Joe's worsening physical condition, and several dramatic revelations that unfold around a suspected killer, eventually Sam rediscovers hope, unconditional love, and renewed purpose in living. And ultimately the end brings Sam to the point of finally finding forgiveness and redemption for the one she blamed for the death of her husband.Great drama, poignant and yet often laugh-out-loud humorous, this is a story of tender emotion with a real twist leading to the VERY satisfying end. Based on and inspired by the true life events of Papa Joe Bradford and his ministry to neighborhood inner-city kids in need, this is an awesome story. If you love drama, rent this movie. I can almost guarantee you will end up buying it for your permanent DVD collection.

good movie

I hope I don't sound like I'm over-doing it; but, this is truly my very favorite Christian-themed movie. I think it's a tremendous story of love/hate/revenge/restoration. The scene where the little black girl whispers into the horse's ear really brought tears to my eyes. Also, I absolutely loved the frequent flashbacks back into their pasts. Sometimes this "true" story was fanny...was sad...was promising...was thought-provoking. I've watched this movie 4 or 5 times now...and I never get tired of it. On a scale of 1 to 10 ~ this movie is 100!!!

I think this film is a very good example of it's genre. I don't care for most faith-based films because too often I think they emphasize the spiritual over the material and the characters, they don't let you really get inside them first and understand their strengths and weaknesses so that their journey becomes yours. That, or they explain God's love rather than showing an example of human love that informs us of the greater power of God's love. Put another way, I think when you start preaching to the audience in a film, it kicks the audience out of the film, rather than involving the audience so thoroughly with the characters and situations they forget they're being reminded of something basic about kindness.What did I like about this film? Michael Ealy's performance. He's outstanding. I have a strong bias in favor of Lynn Collins so I can't report accurately on her performance. She's good with what she has to work with, though I think her character is a little hamstrung by the narrative of her wanting to track down the man who murdered her husband. It's not badly done, but the hot or hysterical emotions that come with pulling a gun don't seem to 'fit' with her character... maybe I'm reading too much into it. I would've liked a scene where she expressed to Joe her anger at her incomprehensible loss. That aside? The payoff of her journey to me was worthwhile, and I was so engrossed with it that the spiritual punchline caught me off guard, like I mentioned earlier.I liked that the film emphasized the importance of community outreach, of the need for good father figures, of the tragic loss of the same. That it related finding God's love in the worst circumstances. I liked that the child actors in the film had some depth to their characters, particularly the boy named Macon, he pulled a terrific surprise tear-jerker moment that knocked me out.I liked it. It was simple, emotionally affecting and had an honest message about helping the poor. I think it succeeds in what it was trying to do.

Watched this DVD with my sons. It is a wonderful family movie (not for younger kids). I love that this is a true story. Inspirational. It is a beautiful reminder how each and everyone of us can be an everyday hero, an unsung hero just for the sake of giving of ourselves. Forgive me if I sound too sappy. It is how moved I am by the movie and this story.It is also a wonderful way to reinforce the message to my boys that if each of us gives, no matter how little, we leave a positive imprint. Today our culture seems full of negativity (a "gotch ya" mentality, judgmental, finger pointing, etc.). This movie is one that clearly rises above despite one's circumstances. No matter who or what, absolutely no one escapes pain. The gift of pushing through the suffering and using it for good gives meaning to our pain. Thank you for demonstrating this with such a touching story and movie.

When I started watching this, I thought there would be some stereotypical roles and subplots. This multi-ethic cast was brilliant and the sub plots were unexpected. Well acted without the typical music video vibe you get when watching many Christian movies.

A feel good movie with a look at the real hero in the rolling credits. A story of despair that all turns out good in the end. I enjoyed this film and I have played on several occasions since purchasing it. No foul language no sexual scenes, good family viewing with a strong message. As you have probably already surmised I thoroughly recommend it.

This is a great film! A complex and gripping storyline, well acted and, whilst not overtly Christian, nevertheless portraying very sound and positive moral values. It's really encouraging to see the emergence of several such films in recent times, excellently devised and produced, and this certainly is one of the best!

Not normally a film I would watch, but so glad I did. A powerful story about friendship, death and murder, but also the story has an element of caring for those who have less in life, but at the same time giving something back by showing that we can all be what we want in life.

This film unfolded in a way that I never expected. The story is strong and it is inspired by true events. So much news is full of doom and gloom, and here we have an edge of your seat, yet touching and vibrant story of light and love.Bless yourself by purchasing this movie and do some good in the world simultaneously because some of the proceeds go to a Christian charity that helps deprived kids...Thanks for the movie.