Even though I am now a card-carrying Christian, while I was vaguely aware of the CCM chart-topper “I Can Only Imagine,” I had never actually heard it. Growing up in a brutally sequestered Catholic household, I missed out on all of the Bible Belt goodness my friends got to take part in, ranging from seeing Carmen’s Mission 3:16 tour at Frontier City to attending teen-friendly revivals with names like “Acquire the Fire” in Dallas to helping build morally questionable haunted houses come Halloween to impress a girl who’s not allowed to date.
Still, there I was, in the auditorium of my old alma mater, Harding Middle School, crammed desperately into one of those classic rickety wooden chairs and waiting for the director to call “Action!” on the set of the new faith-based feature film inspired by the writing of said hit song, made popular by the band MercyMe. I’m sure you’ve got a burned Wow! compilation with the tune on it somewhere in that CaseLogic on the floor of your car.
The scene occurs early in the movie when lead singer Bart Millard (essayed by Broadway actor J. Michael Finley) is forced to perform as Curly in his high school production of Oklahoma!, egged on by a well-meaning and wholly inspirational teacher figure, with Harding subbing for a school in small-town Texas. Hence all them Texas flags.
Proving the Hollywood adage of “hurry up and wait,” the selected group of extras I was in had been judiciously corralled in the barely air-conditioned cafeteria for about an hour or so, many of them from church groups and homeschool co-ops—I had never seen so many teenage girls named Rebekah, all wearing long denim skirts, in one place at one time—but all purely excited to be a part of the latest film from the Erwin Brothers, the duo behind the faith-based hits Woodlawn and Moms’ Night Out.
I however, was fulfilling an item on my mostly selfish, somewhat secular bucket list: appear as an extra in a faith-based film. What could be more Oklahoman than that?
The key grips and best boys were visibly arguing onstage about cables as the production assistants steered us into various spots that needed coverage, giving the impression of a full theater when it was anything but. Being a husky gentleman, I was instructed to sit on an aisle seat to make the row look “fuller.” While normally I might feel a little slighted by a comment like that, at least now I knew I would be guaranteed screen-time and with the camera adding a good 100 pounds, I was ready for my close-up, Mr. Erwin Brothers.
As the set dressers and crew cleared the stage and the actors took their marks, elderly Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman—seemingly unable to walk on her own—was shuffled in and seated a row or two ahead of me, portraying the part of Bart’s grandmother that always believed in him when no one else did. Everyone in place now, the lights dimmed and, for the next hour or so, the filmmakers did take after take of Finley being pushed onto the stage and unexpectedly belting out a purely operatic rendition of “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” while those of us in the audience feigning both shock and awe.
The antsiness, however, was growing palpable. There was a certain restlessness that filled the air as the disillusionment of just exactly how movie magic is made began to both settle in and get old among the unpaid few. Over the course of the evening, the once large crowd dwindled quite a bit, the remaining extras now being gathered around Leachman for her close-ups, filling the space in the audience-covered darkness around her.
It’s a scene I would look for, to no avail, in the subsequent trailers over the next few months.
The film I Can Only Imagine finally had its Oklahoma premiere last weekend and, contrary to caustic critics and box-office prognosticators, by the grace of God it grossed over $17 million, which, for a faith-based film is boffo business. And, without shame, I’ll admit my $4.00 (thanks, Tinseltown!) was somewhere in that stack of cash as I lined up for the 1 p.m. screening last Friday.
Now the way some people consider silly romantic comedies or trashy horror flicks their “guilty pleasure,” that’s kind of how I view faith-based movies, only with far less guilt than necessary—the God’s Not Dead series might as well be my Star Wars trilogy. As melodramatic and treacly as the cinematic proceedings often are, even their most ardent critics have to admit they do work brilliantly on an emotionally visceral level—one that, yes, can be masterfully manipulative at times, to great effect—and, to be sure, I Can Only Imagine was no different.
Like any genre film, once the viewer can get past the movie’s stereotypical elements—comedy bits that fall flat, for example—and get to the heart of the story, the film’s down-to-earth inspirational elements really hit home for me, especially regarding Millard’s abusive father, surprisingly played by Dennis Quaid. It, ironically enough, brought up and recaptured many of my own demons and left my eyes welled with tears for a good lot of the running time.
Okie film-buffs, however, will thrill to see various Metro landmarks, concert venues and popular hangouts doubling for landmarks, concert venues and popular hangouts in Texas, Kansas, Missouri and even Nashville. There’s always something idiotically special about seeing something geographically familiar in a film, isn’t there?
Even though I am a card-carrying Christian who was only vaguely aware of the tune the movie was based on, having finally seen and heard “I Can Only Imagine” as performed in the film of the same name, it really is an absolutely beautiful song of hope and devotion, one that I am unashamed to admit inspired me to spend the following weekend introspectively mulling over my own commitment to salvation, one that I probably should’ve been done in middle school after a DC Talk show with some friends.
All that being said, to answer your burning question, yes, I’m in the movie. Praise be and cómpralo ya!
_
If you ever need someone to pray with you, feel free to message me. Follow Louis on Twitter at @LouisFowler.
Oh, Louis, and I had come to like you. But now you’ve drunk the Okie god Koolaid (huh, almost left the typo “Kookaid”), so now I have to suspect everything you write. sigh. Where all my Okie agnotic/atheists at?? And, no, this isn’t Christian bashing. Try being the only atheist in the foxhole that is SE Oklahoma growing up in the 70’s. Christians owe me for running this state for too got-dang long.
I be here, fellow Atheist in Oklahoma, who also grew up in the 70s!
This is not a movie I would watch. Ever. Wait! If RANDY Quaid portrayed the father, that might pique my interest.
And people wonder why athiests are so disliked. Worse than vegans and folks who do CrossFit.
“I’m not bashing Christians, but now that I know you’re a Christian I can’t believe anything you say and all Christians owe me for something apparently.”
I mean, you’re free to hate Christians, but at least be honest about it.
Honestly, I hate Christians. I hate that auto correct makes me capitalize the word. Happy? Sure you are.
the hell is this? is this written by the same person that ranks pictures of local newscasters in bikinis? now you are weeping at the sight of Dennis Quaid and contemplating your mortality after listening to a one hit wonder from 2002.
Thanks for the comment! You’re obviously very smart, observant and well-informed.
Patrick:
You didn’t correct Jon, so I won’t either.
Is it April 1st already?
I am glad you are willing to live your faith in the face of such negativity.
Congratulations on being part of the herd!
I got no beef with anything you wrote, believe in, or opinions stated within-HOWEVER:
Are you telling me since 2002 you never went to a funeral or wedding, anniversary, wake, spreading of ashes ceremony…..because if you did, you must have heard this song…….it almost single handily replaced Amazing Grace for a period of time!
That my good sir, I cannot imagine! LOL
I don’t think you even to go to any of those events. It got so much play that I heard it any time a store had music over a PA station, from shopping malls to grocery stores.
I agree! but I was making the comment as Louis was insuating he didn’t listen to anything mainstream, therefore not hearing it. I know he probalby went to some kind of funeral/wedding/etc. It still gets almost as much play as Amazing Grace at funerals.
Louis: Which church gives out membership cards certifying that you are a “card-carrying” Christian? I want to get one!
I don’t actually believe any of that stuff, but the card might come in handy if I’m wrong and encounter St. Peter at those supposed Pearly Gates someday.
Amen! I am so excited to see this movie. Had to wait for hubby’s days off. I hate to cry alone 🙂
I think it’s beyond cool that you got to be in it too! How incredible! I’m envious.
So you grew up in a “sequestered Catholic home”…but now, you are a “card carrying Christian”?
We are certainly allowed to place our faith in the belief structure of our choice. But to do so while diminishing the value and importance of belief structures that others hold is unconscionable. Too bad that you can’t sell your product without denigrating others. You sir, are a skunk of the first order.