Greetings again from the darkness. Film Festivals are often loaded with passion projects from filmmakers who have scratched and clawed to get their movie made – usually on a shoestring budget with the help of friends and family. All of this holds true for this film from writer/director Bill McAdams Jr, who delivers a Christian faith-based message movie … not one that preaches, but rather tells stories through its characters.

With a seemingly wonderful life – a beautiful wife, two terrific kids, and a new business started with his brother – Bob Collins (played by Ernie Hudson) experiences the worst tragedy imaginable in the form of a hate crime from a couple of local racist brothers (Rett Terrell, Frank Mosley) who call themselves "the Brotherhood". In response, Bob declares that he is "done with God", and quietly drops from society and isolates himself in the country.

The film's themes include faith, family, and forgiveness while also dealing with deep sorrow, anger, racism, revenge, alcoholism, and entitlement. It also reminds us that each of us has challenges in life, and periodically we need support or assistance. Maybe it's the little girl with a split lip, or the wife whose husband drinks too much, or even the angry young punk who lacks a proper role model.

The messages and approach are admirable, though the scenes featuring Ernie Hudson are clearly a step above all others. His expressive eyes hide nothing, and his transformation from happy father/husband to broken man provides a seminar on fine acting. Other supporting work is provided by Kevin Sorbo, (director) Bill McAdams Jr, Mary Jean Bentley (the director's real life sister),and Marcus Mauldin. With numerous child actors, it's young Megan Dalby as Puck who steals each of her scenes. Here's hoping Miss Dalby sticks with the acting profession.

From a film that lists Jesus in the closing credits under "Thanks", it's not surprising that nuance and subtlety are mostly absent from the script and especially from the score (which is entirely too prominent for the story). Still, the messages are worthy and quite welcome given the times and issues we face. It should also be noted that the post-screening Q&A was moderated by the energetic and always likable Stephen Tobolowski, who made clear his admiration for Ernie Hudson and the movie.

Generally I can't sit through a movie with a Christian theme, but somehow it was done here so it fit in neatly with the Texas setting. A movie without Jesus in the Bible Belt would be like a movie about India without a Hindu. The Christian theme was light enough to not rob the movie of vitality. So, maybe I would call it a family drama set in a still violent, sometimes racist Texas.

The story kept me on the edge of my seat, rare for me since all but the better movies put me to sleep. I didn't even get up for a bag of licorice sticks.

I enjoyed the sets, the Collins brother's antique store was particularly fascinating and worth a few still captures to enjoy the detail.

The friendly relationship between the black Collins boy played by Isaac Smith and Puck, the blond daughter of a broken down drunk, played by Megan Dalby, given the racial tensions in the movie, scared me from the first. This is Megan's first movie, and as the previous reviewer said, she lit up the screen in every scene.

A potent tale of humanity at its worst intermingled with the rise of the spirit to reconnect with God in spite of the human desire for revenge. Anger towards the rise of two black brothers in business in a state where the confederate flag still flies, resulting in violence that leads to a horrific murder. If you can get through the first 15 minutes of this without shaking, you might be able to see into the all curing power of forgiveness that it takes to get through the most incomprehensible of crimes.

Of course, my desire is to see the criminals brought to my brand of justice, receiving the same fiery end that destroyed an obvious loving family. As a result, the quietly embittered widower (Ernie Hudson) turns his back on his church, his faith and his remaining family. Obvious criminal protection of the perpetrators shows the still thriving malice towards blacks down south, and the hope amongst some of them that prejudice has died somewhat among younger generations.

The most hateful character is so malevolent towards others of different skin color and equally so towards those of the same color as him who do not hold to his beliefs. It is obvious that he is extremely mentally ill with his hatred an obsession, and that makes the physically good looking man become repulsive to look at with evil lined on his face, especially in his eyes.

This is pretty potent subject matter coming as America's continued oath of freedom is being shaken not only in the government but among the divided people as well. Yes, this comes from a religious intent that nonbelievers might find preachy or agenda driven. I don't find this at all to be Pentecostal in nature; it strives to show how tragedy is never made better by bitterness or unforgiveness. Often, forgiving is more important to save the one hurting than the one who may not even want forgiveness. Important lessons makes for an important subject matter for film, something that our dying society is in desperate need of.