280. Breakthrough; movie review

BREAKTHROUGH
Cert 12A
116 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate threat

Here we go again - a film with the heavy message of "God is good and we should believe in him come what may".
To be fair, Roxann Dawson's Breakthrough is better acted than most evangelical movies and has a reasonably engaging central plot.
But, in common with all other pictures of its genre, it fails to answer even the basic questions of non-believers.
Breakthrough is based on the true story of John Smith, a teenager who fell through ice when playing with friends and was unconscious for 40 minutes.
Guatemalan-born John had been adopted and was going through a spell of questioning his identity at the time that the incident happened as he was larking around with friends.
Breakthrough begins with some fairly superficial family background which shows his adopted parents (Chrissy Metz and Josh Lucas) to be devoted Christians.
Indeed, his mum is so passionate in traditional religion that she throws scorn upon a new priest (Topher Grace) who has radical ideas about worship.
Thus, when medics believe that John is not going to pull through, his mum refuses to believe the realistic appraisals of both her husband and priest, because she perceives them as unecessary negativity.
Some may praise Metz's character for not giving up on either God or her son but the pressure of the situation makes her unbearable to everyone around her..
Of course, because Breakthrough is a propaganda movie, God is seen to have answers for even her personality issues.
The problem I will always have with films such as these is that they are so uncharitable to those whose dedication really does save lives.
Never mind, the efforts of the firemen and medics, it is God who will save the day. But, hold on, why didn't he just make the ice thicker or somehow stop the boys from playing on it?
Nope, if bad happens, humans or even the devil  are to blame being but if miracles happen or folk do good stuff, God is your man.
As I write this, my daughter's best friend is facing up to the horrors of a rare form of leukaemia at the age of 26. What sort of God would foist that upon her?

Reasons to watch: Interesting true story
Reasons to avoid: None of the obvious religious questions is answered

Laughs: None
Jumps: One
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 5/10

Did you know? The longest a human has survived after being trapped under a layer of ice is Anna Bågenholm who survived after 80 minutes in freezing water. Her body temperature decreased to 13.7C - the lowest ever recorded in someone with accidental hypothermia.

The final word. John Smith: "My mission is to share that God still does the impossible and He's still in the miracle-working business."

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