DANGEROUS CALLING

DANGEROUS CALLING

“Dangerous Calling” is a new genre of church-political thriller. Written and directed by brothers Josh & Jeremiah Daws. The story is of a newly hired pastor, Evan Burke, taking the job at First Baptist Willit Springs after the mysterious death of the previous pastor. Evan Burke, along with his wife, Nora, stay with Miss Pat, a widow and major contributor (in finances and opinion) to the church, while the parsonage is renovated. Nora Burke quickly becomes suspicious of Miss Pat’s son, Elijah, that he may not be all that he seems, while Evan is constantly challenged by Miss Pat in church politics regarding the youth pastor Scott.
As a “Christian Independent” this film is made with excellence. As a reviewer I often compare Christian films versus other independents versus “Hollywood.” I can not find anything wrong with this film. It is executed very professionally. Shot with wonderful angles that keep the suspense right where it is needed. The script is daring and near flawless. The Daws brothers, drawing from experience as preacher kids, are attacking “church politics” as church goers. All too often I see films attacking the church but from a bitterly ex-church-goer point of view. This film shows the positive side to the church as well as the truthful traps that churches tend to fall into.
I can not say anything bad with the acting as well. Each of the actors came across very believable and stood out as one of the best “Christian Independent” casts I’ve seen.
There are several tense and graphic moments; a man is strangled by a bag over his head, a girl is drowned by being held under water, an implied stabbing with a fire-poker (blood is seen), and woman thrown in a lake tied to a cinder-block. Obviously, this isn’t appropriate for small children but teenagers and adults would enjoy this film, if the tension and violence (mostly implied) doesn’t bother them.
My only negative with this film is that the only character we see praying is the villain, which has a very skewed view of God’s will. The protagonist is Christian but we never see his relationship with Christ, in practice or in prayer. Perhaps the Daws brothers shied away from showing the pastors spiritual life to avoid the “cheesy” or “preachy” messages that are often heard in Christian messages. Therefore, Christian church-goers (particularly staff) will really enjoy this film, non-believers could watch it and see it as a good script and tense movie but any redeeming message for the unbeliever may be lost. It’s definitely entertaining but that may be all it is, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars but ask for caution with anyone under 13
*****
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