The Shack is more of a sermon than a movie – so its appeal may depend on how religious you are
If you're Christian, the film is sure to raise some important discussion points
I WILL address the elephant in the room straight away – this is a religious film.
Not as in: “Let’s all think about being a bit more grateful.” More: “God exists, his son saves us all from our sins and he/she loves us all equally.”
The smaller yet just as elephanty elephant in the room is that I am not religious in the slightest.
And, had I not walked into the cinema unprepared (I stand by it being an important part of critiquing films – I try not to have any preconceived opinions), I wouldn’t have watched this film.
I went by the trailer, which rather naughtily suggests The Shack to be a Broadchurch-type thriller about an abducted child and the discovery her father makes on his search.
MOST READ IN FILM
Turns out the discovery is a house in a forest where God (Octavia Spencer), Jesus (straight from his job as a barista in Dalston) and a woman called Breath of Wind (isn’t that a Pharrell song?) live and then lead him on a spiritual journey.
The performances are OK and the film looks lovely.
But this is more of a sermon than a movie, so its appeal will very much depend on where you stand on that kind of thing.
If you are a Christian, I am sure this will raise some important discussion points – and maybe some comfort.
If you aren’t religious, you will find it offensive.
Forgive me.