Forester Film and Huntington University were kind enough to give me an advance copy of their movie A Carpenter’s Prayer, which I will clearly state–and I was a bit cautious. I mean, the advertisement made me feel like this was another one of those Christian Hallmark movies you find on PureFlix, but I thought, why not, and I’m sure happy I did. The film not only matched the expectations but even my teenage daughter who has a much advanced level of film analysis than most, thought it was an awesome movie (you’d know what I mean if you know my daughter… Hi Abigail).
This is more like an interaction than an interview. I had the pleasure of speaking with the producer of the film, Lance Clark, and the director, writer, and producer Matt Webb.
Reading a synopsis such as the one on their website warms your spirit: “The hopeful true story of a pastor and his family who attempt to plant a new church, and a troubled carpenter who becomes an unlikely beacon of hope, demonstrating that belief in the Almighty is the ultimate answer to ever bleak circumstance…” looking forward. Furthermore, the movie is about more than just events that took place in Michigan in the 70s; it is also about the way it was filmed, the talented people who were involved in it, and the plot itself.
Lance Clark, who teaches film at Huntington University and co-produced the film with Matt Webb, who is responsible for the screenplay and directing. Until the last scene, I had no idea that Lance Clark himself is the SUBJECT, not just the maker of the film. In the 1970s, Lance’s father, Doyle Clark, was a preacher in a small part of Michigan and was the one who initiated building the consolidated church that became the focus of the film.
I don’t mean to bury the lead here but Jeff Dernlan, the relatively unheard actor came out of nowhere to play Glenn Frank (the washed-up country singer, a God’s whisper that the story revolves around) and absolutely crushed the role. Dernlan had so much emotion throughout the film which helped transport viewers to Glenn’s chaos and forever provide sympathy for a man whose life is so hostile and confusing and that God himself still in the midst of it all is not finished working for or through the man. His speech, an incessant drawl, often dripping with drunkenness, immediately placed the character in reality, a level of realism not expected in a film of this caliber.
If I say more, I will ruin it, but if you are ever looking for an epic way to feel God’s tremendous grace like Glenn Frank, then the movie is worth the watch. Currently, it is not screened in Colorado but with upcoming video on demand release plans.
This is a trailer for the film in question, which does nothing probably to make it appetizing to watch, trust me. Any of the local theaters will have the film in September and it will also be available for purchase and rental on video on demand sites such as Amazon and AppleTV in the very near future.
For more movies Visit like A Carpenter’s Prayer on 123Movies.