Fireproof (film)
Encyclopedia
Fireproof is a 2008 American
Christian
drama
film released by Samuel Goldwyn Films
and Affirm Films
, directed by Alex Kendrick
, who co-wrote and co-produced it with Stephen Kendrick
. The film stars Kirk Cameron
, Erin Bethea
, Ken Bevel
, Perry Revell, Stephen Dervan, Eric Young and Jason McLeod.
While reviews for the film were positive from Christian film critics, they were mostly negative from other film critics. The film was successful at the box office, becoming a surprise hit
, debuting at #4 and becoming the highest-grossing independent film
of 2008, grossing over $33,000,000. It received awards from evangelical
Christian organizations, including the Best Feature Film award at the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival
.
) is a firefighter
in Albany, Georgia
who holds the motto "Never leave your partner behind". However, his relationship with his wife Catherine (Erin Bethea
) is suffering to a point that she wants a divorce.
Caleb and Catherine each fault the other for the disintegration of their relationship. Among Catherine's complaints are Caleb's addiction to internet pornography
and a large sum of money ($24,000) he has saved up for a boat that he intends to buy, ignoring the fact that Catherine's disabled mother is in need of hospital equipment that she cannot afford, and which their insurance
doesn't cover. When Caleb tells his father, John, about the impending divorce, John challenges Caleb to commit to a 40-day test that he calls the "Love Dare", and Caleb agrees. Initially Catherine doubts Caleb's sincerity in his attempts to win her back, due to his half-hearted attempts at completing the Love Dare, but Caleb continues with encouragement from his father and his close friend Michael (Ken Bevel
), who also encourages him to become a born-again Christian.
In the meantime, at the hospital where she works, Catherine begins flirting with Dr. Gavin Keller (Perry Revell), who doesn't know she's married, as she stopped wearing her wedding ring
. She informs him of her mother's medical situation. Around this time, Caleb injures his arm rescuing a girl from a house fire and is brought to Catherine's hospital, where a nurse inadvertently says in front of Dr. Keller that Caleb is Catherine's husband.
As he continues his 40-day challenge, Caleb begins doing more household chores and running more errands for Catherine, and leaves her rose
s. Caleb even smashes his computer
to pieces with a baseball bat in order to remove the temptation
of viewing internet pornography. Nevertheless, Catherine, who is led by some colleagues to think that Caleb did all these things with an ulterior motive in mind, is still intent on divorce. When she later learns that the equipment needed for her mother's medical care has been paid for in full, she arranges a lunch date with Dr. Keller, thinking he was the benefactor. Caleb discovers Dr. Keller's relationship with Catherine and immediately informs him that he won't let him have Catherine without a fight. Catherine's friends misinterpret the confrontation as a threat, but they do not tell her since the Holts' marriage doesn't concern them. Dr. Keller (who is actually married) breaks off his relationship with Catherine.
Caleb later finds Catherine at home sick, and decides to take care of her. At this point she asks Caleb why he has changed his behavior, and he mentions "The Love Dare." Caleb then fully apologizes to Catherine for his past selfishness.
Days later, Catherine learns that of the $24,300 cost of her mother's medical equipment, Dr. Keller gave only $300 and Caleb gave $24,000, exhausting his boat savings. At this point she becomes convinced that his desire to change was sincere. Ashamed at her inability to believe Caleb's change in behavior, Catherine digs out her ring, dresses herself up nicely and puts on make-up and rushes to her husband's fire station. There she embraces her husband with all the respect and admiration he craved before.
Caleb's parents are overjoyed to know that their son's marriage has been saved and Caleb expresses his thanks to his dad for the love dare. At that point, Caleb's dad explains that his mother was the one who did the love dare on him and not the other way around. Immediately after hearing this, Caleb rushes home and apologizes to his mother for criticizing her all those years. The couple then renews their wedding vows in an outdoor ceremony, this time as a covenant with God.
According to the film's novelization, Catherine's mother participates in a special Wheel of Fortune
episode for people with disabilities, winning Caleb a boat.
Fireproofs supporting cast also included nearly 1,200 volunteers from Sherwood Baptist Church
.
said that the movie was, "beautifully shot in and around Albany, Georgia, home to Sherwood Baptist
Church." The Albany Fire Department
donated its fire station
locations, trucks and even some of its crew
for use during the filming. The producers were also given use of a train
and a hospital wing. The film's cast and crew were made up of 1,200 volunteers, along with a professional film crew of eight who worked below rate. Instead of marketing with television spots and billboard
s, Fireproofs marketers invited Christian publications to the set and screened the film early for pastors and church groups. Meyer Gottlieb, president of Samuel Goldwyn Films said, "The marketing is more grass roots."
and Third Day
, as well as highlights of the film's score, composed by Mark Willard.
.
gave it rating of 40%, based on 20 reviews. The site's "Top Critics" gave it a 50% rating. Metacritic
gave it a metascore of 28%, based on 6 reviews. Ed Gonzalez of LA Weekly
said, "Fireproof stops becoming relatable to us all and only to the already, or easily, indoctrinated." Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter
said, "While hardly sophisticated in its approach and certainly not polished in its technical elements, the film does get its heartfelt message across with undeniable sincerity. Its success at the box office, which will no doubt continue on home video
, demonstrates that there's no shortage of filmgoers dissatisfied with cynical Hollywood product."
Josh Rosenblatt of The Austin Chronicle criticized the film's story, saying it "makes for fruitful soul-fishing but lousy drama." Joe Leydon of Variety
gave the film a positive review, saying, "Cameron is genuinely compelling as Caleb, a work-obsessed firefighter on the verge of divorce from his neglected wife." Cheryl Dickow of the Catholic Exchange said, "I feel it is necessary to send a message to Catholics everywhere that this is a movie worth seeing."
sales the week before the film opened. It was released on September 26, 2008 in 839 theaters and grossed $6,836,036 in its opening weekend, placing at #4. During its run, Fireproof had a domestic gross of $33,456,317, more than triple the lifetime earnings of its predecessor, Facing the Giants, and moving it into the top 6 grossing Christian films of all time. It was the highest grossing independent film
of 2008.
The film later gained a theatrical release in South Korea
and grossed $16,980.
on January 27, 2009 and to Blu-ray on September 29, 2009. Included as special features are deleted scene
s, blooper
s, behind-the-scenes making-of
featurettes, and a commentary by the Kendrick Brothers.
On its first weekend of DVD release, it ranked third in retail sales and fifth in rentals with a rental index of 51.02. After the upcoming weeks, it sold $28,507,308 in DVD sales.
17th Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards Gala
The Dove Foundation's Crystal Seal Awards
Cinema of the United States
The cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
Christian
Christian film
The Christian film industry is an umbrella term for films containing a Christian -themed message or moral, produced by openly Christian filmmakers to a Christian audience....
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
film released by Samuel Goldwyn Films
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Samuel Goldwyn Films is an independent film company founded by Samuel Goldwyn, Jr., the son of the Hollywood business magnate/mogul, Samuel Goldwyn...
and Affirm Films
Affirm Films
Affirm Films is a label of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, dedicated to producing, acquiring and marketing films that are mainly aimed at evangelical Christians. The label also maintains titles such as: Fireproof, Facing the Giants, Faith Like Potatoes, Soul Surfer, and films of biblical...
, directed by Alex Kendrick
Alex Kendrick
Alex Kendrick is an associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church, in Albany, Georgia. He has been in Albany since 1999. He oversees the movie outreach for the church, which includes Sherwood Pictures, the movie-creating entity that produced Flywheel , Facing the Giants , Fireproof , and Courageous ....
, who co-wrote and co-produced it with Stephen Kendrick
Stephen Kendrick
Stephen Kendrick is an American film writer and producer, co-writer of the book The Love Dare with brother Alex Kendrick, and senior associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.- Filmography :- External links :* *...
. The film stars Kirk Cameron
Kirk Cameron
Kirk Thomas Cameron is an American actor best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the television situation comedy Growing Pains , as well as several other television and film appearances as a child actor...
, Erin Bethea
Erin Bethea
Erin Bethea is an American actress. She is known for appearing in Sherwood Pictures' films, Facing the Giants and Fireproof.- Personal life :...
, Ken Bevel
Ken Bevel
Ken Bevel is a former American Marine Corps officer, pastor and actor who co-starred in the 2008 film Fireproof and the 2011 film Courageous. Like many actors in the films, his work was performed on a voluntary basis. In Fireproof, Bevel portrayed firefighter Michael Simmons, and portrays police...
, Perry Revell, Stephen Dervan, Eric Young and Jason McLeod.
While reviews for the film were positive from Christian film critics, they were mostly negative from other film critics. The film was successful at the box office, becoming a surprise hit
Sleeper hit
A sleeper hit, a.k.a. surprise hit , refers to a film, book, single, album, TV show, or video game that gains unexpected success or recognition...
, debuting at #4 and becoming the highest-grossing independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
of 2008, grossing over $33,000,000. It received awards from evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Christian organizations, including the Best Feature Film award at the 2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival
San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival
San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival is a film festival located in San Antonio, Texas.- 2007 competition :The winner of the Best of Festival Award was The Monstrous Regiment of Women, a documentary on Feminism by the Gunn brothers who in 2005 won the best documentary for their film...
.
Plot summary
Caleb Holt (Kirk CameronKirk Cameron
Kirk Thomas Cameron is an American actor best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the television situation comedy Growing Pains , as well as several other television and film appearances as a child actor...
) is a firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
in Albany, Georgia
Albany, Georgia
Albany is a city in and the county seat of Dougherty County, Georgia, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. It is the principal city of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area and the southwest part of the state. The population was 77,434 at the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the...
who holds the motto "Never leave your partner behind". However, his relationship with his wife Catherine (Erin Bethea
Erin Bethea
Erin Bethea is an American actress. She is known for appearing in Sherwood Pictures' films, Facing the Giants and Fireproof.- Personal life :...
) is suffering to a point that she wants a divorce.
Caleb and Catherine each fault the other for the disintegration of their relationship. Among Catherine's complaints are Caleb's addiction to internet pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
and a large sum of money ($24,000) he has saved up for a boat that he intends to buy, ignoring the fact that Catherine's disabled mother is in need of hospital equipment that she cannot afford, and which their insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
doesn't cover. When Caleb tells his father, John, about the impending divorce, John challenges Caleb to commit to a 40-day test that he calls the "Love Dare", and Caleb agrees. Initially Catherine doubts Caleb's sincerity in his attempts to win her back, due to his half-hearted attempts at completing the Love Dare, but Caleb continues with encouragement from his father and his close friend Michael (Ken Bevel
Ken Bevel
Ken Bevel is a former American Marine Corps officer, pastor and actor who co-starred in the 2008 film Fireproof and the 2011 film Courageous. Like many actors in the films, his work was performed on a voluntary basis. In Fireproof, Bevel portrayed firefighter Michael Simmons, and portrays police...
), who also encourages him to become a born-again Christian.
In the meantime, at the hospital where she works, Catherine begins flirting with Dr. Gavin Keller (Perry Revell), who doesn't know she's married, as she stopped wearing her wedding ring
Wedding ring
A wedding ring or wedding band is a metal ring indicating the wearer is married. Depending on the local culture, it is worn on the base of the right or the left ring finger. The custom of wearing such a ring has spread widely beyond its origin in Europe...
. She informs him of her mother's medical situation. Around this time, Caleb injures his arm rescuing a girl from a house fire and is brought to Catherine's hospital, where a nurse inadvertently says in front of Dr. Keller that Caleb is Catherine's husband.
As he continues his 40-day challenge, Caleb begins doing more household chores and running more errands for Catherine, and leaves her rose
Rose
A rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers are large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows...
s. Caleb even smashes his computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
to pieces with a baseball bat in order to remove the temptation
Temptation
A temptation is an act that looks appealing to an individual. It is usually used to describe acts with negative connotations and as such, tends to lead a person to regret such actions, for various reasons: legal, social, psychological , health, economic, etc...
of viewing internet pornography. Nevertheless, Catherine, who is led by some colleagues to think that Caleb did all these things with an ulterior motive in mind, is still intent on divorce. When she later learns that the equipment needed for her mother's medical care has been paid for in full, she arranges a lunch date with Dr. Keller, thinking he was the benefactor. Caleb discovers Dr. Keller's relationship with Catherine and immediately informs him that he won't let him have Catherine without a fight. Catherine's friends misinterpret the confrontation as a threat, but they do not tell her since the Holts' marriage doesn't concern them. Dr. Keller (who is actually married) breaks off his relationship with Catherine.
Caleb later finds Catherine at home sick, and decides to take care of her. At this point she asks Caleb why he has changed his behavior, and he mentions "The Love Dare." Caleb then fully apologizes to Catherine for his past selfishness.
Days later, Catherine learns that of the $24,300 cost of her mother's medical equipment, Dr. Keller gave only $300 and Caleb gave $24,000, exhausting his boat savings. At this point she becomes convinced that his desire to change was sincere. Ashamed at her inability to believe Caleb's change in behavior, Catherine digs out her ring, dresses herself up nicely and puts on make-up and rushes to her husband's fire station. There she embraces her husband with all the respect and admiration he craved before.
Caleb's parents are overjoyed to know that their son's marriage has been saved and Caleb expresses his thanks to his dad for the love dare. At that point, Caleb's dad explains that his mother was the one who did the love dare on him and not the other way around. Immediately after hearing this, Caleb rushes home and apologizes to his mother for criticizing her all those years. The couple then renews their wedding vows in an outdoor ceremony, this time as a covenant with God.
According to the film's novelization, Catherine's mother participates in a special Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)
Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin, which premiered in 1975. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a large wheel. The title refers to the show's giant carnival wheel that...
episode for people with disabilities, winning Caleb a boat.
Cast
- Kirk CameronKirk CameronKirk Thomas Cameron is an American actor best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the television situation comedy Growing Pains , as well as several other television and film appearances as a child actor...
as Capt. Caleb Holt of the Albany Fire DepartmentAlbany Fire DepartmentThe Albany Fire Department is a fire department in Albany, Georgia. They have 159 firefighters at 11 stations. The Albany Fire Department donated their fire station locations, trucks and even some of their crew for use during the filming of Fireproof....
's Station One. - Erin BetheaErin BetheaErin Bethea is an American actress. She is known for appearing in Sherwood Pictures' films, Facing the Giants and Fireproof.- Personal life :...
as Catherine Holt, Caleb's wife and the film's deuteragonistDeuteragonistIn literature, the deuteragonist is the second most important character, after the protagonist and before the tritagonist. The deuteragonist may switch from being with or against the protagonist depending on the deuteragonist's own conflict/plot.-History:Greek drama began with simply one actor,...
, who works as a public relations director for Phoebe Putney Memorial HospitalPhoebe Putney Memorial HospitalPhoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is located at 417 Third Ave. in Albany, Georgia.The health system is a network of hospitals, family medicine clinics, rehab facilities, auxiliary services, and medical education training facilities. The flagship hospital Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is a 443-bed...
. - Ken BevelKen BevelKen Bevel is a former American Marine Corps officer, pastor and actor who co-starred in the 2008 film Fireproof and the 2011 film Courageous. Like many actors in the films, his work was performed on a voluntary basis. In Fireproof, Bevel portrayed firefighter Michael Simmons, and portrays police...
as Lt. Michael Simmons, who joined Station One after a two-year tour in Iraq as an Army tank mechanic. - Jason McLeod as Eric Harmon, a rookie at Station One.
- Perry Revyll as Dr. Gavin Keller, a married doctor who flirts with Catherine.
- Eric YoungEric YoungEric Young may refer to:*Eric Young *Eric Young, Jr., baseball player, Eric Young 's son*Eric Young *Eric Young , ring name used by Jeremy Fritz*Eric Young...
as Wayne, an arrogant fireman at Station One who thinks he's "the man." - Harris Malcom as John Holt, Caleb's father.
- Phyllis Malcom as Cheryl Holt, Caleb's mother.
- Renata Williams as Latasha Brown, a nurse at Phoebe Putney and Catherine's best friend.
- Alex KendrickAlex KendrickAlex Kendrick is an associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church, in Albany, Georgia. He has been in Albany since 1999. He oversees the movie outreach for the church, which includes Sherwood Pictures, the movie-creating entity that produced Flywheel , Facing the Giants , Fireproof , and Courageous ....
as Pastor Strauss, the minister when Caleb and Catherine renew their vows as a covenant with God. - Chelsea NobleChelsea NobleChelsea Noble is an American actress who is best known for her role as Kate MacDonald on the American television sitcom Growing Pains...
as Catherine Holt double (uncredited), who appeared in the scene where Caleb and Catherine reconcile, as Cameron would not kiss any woman but his wife.
Fireproofs supporting cast also included nearly 1,200 volunteers from Sherwood Baptist Church
Sherwood Baptist Church
Sherwood Baptist Church is a Baptist megachurch in Whispering Pines, a subdivision of Albany, Georgia, with over 2,000 attendants, however this number places it among the smallest of referenced "megachurches".- History :...
.
Production and marketing
Fireproof was filmed during various days of October–December 2007. The production was based on a budget of $500,000. It was shot in 16 locations, all of which were donated. Craig von Buseck of the Christian Broadcasting NetworkChristian Broadcasting Network
The Christian Broadcasting Network, or CBN, is a fundamentalist Christian television broadcasting network in the United States. Its headquarters and main studios are in Virginia Beach, Virginia.-Background:...
said that the movie was, "beautifully shot in and around Albany, Georgia, home to Sherwood Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Church." The Albany Fire Department
Albany Fire Department
The Albany Fire Department is a fire department in Albany, Georgia. They have 159 firefighters at 11 stations. The Albany Fire Department donated their fire station locations, trucks and even some of their crew for use during the filming of Fireproof....
donated its fire station
Fire station
A fire station is a structure or other area set aside for storage of firefighting apparatus , personal protective equipment, fire hose, fire extinguishers, and other fire extinguishing equipment...
locations, trucks and even some of its crew
Crew
A crew is a body or a class of people who work at a common activity, generally in a structured or hierarchical organization. A location in which a crew works is called a crewyard or a workyard...
for use during the filming. The producers were also given use of a train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
and a hospital wing. The film's cast and crew were made up of 1,200 volunteers, along with a professional film crew of eight who worked below rate. Instead of marketing with television spots and billboard
Billboard
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s, Fireproofs marketers invited Christian publications to the set and screened the film early for pastors and church groups. Meyer Gottlieb, president of Samuel Goldwyn Films said, "The marketing is more grass roots."
Soundtrack
The film soundtrack for Fireproof was released on July 14, 2009. It features songs by Christian groups and artists, such as Casting CrownsCasting Crowns
Casting Crowns is a Grammy Award and Dove Award winning Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock band. Casting Crowns was started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida as part of a youth group. He now serves as a lead vocalist...
and Third Day
Third Day
Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
, as well as highlights of the film's score, composed by Mark Willard.
- "Fireproof" – Main Title (2:11)
- "Brighter Days" – LeelandLeelandLeeland is a Christian rock band from Baytown, Texas. The band was formed in 2004, although lead singer Leeland Mooring had been writing songs beforehand. Leeland is composed of Leeland Mooring , Jack Mooring , Casey Moore , Shelly Mooring and Mike Smith...
(3:44) - "This is Who I Am" – Third DayThird DayThird Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee and former member Billy Wilkins. The other band members are bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr...
(2:32) - "On the Tracks" (6:08)
- "The Love Dare" (1:02)
- "Slow FadeSlow Fade"Slow Fade" is a song by the Christian rock band Casting Crowns. It was released as their third single off of their 2007 album The Altar and the Door. It was featured in the 2008 film Fireproof, and also the compilation album WOW Hits 2010...
" – Casting CrownsCasting CrownsCasting Crowns is a Grammy Award and Dove Award winning Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock band. Casting Crowns was started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida as part of a youth group. He now serves as a lead vocalist...
(4:40) - "Not Good Enough" (1:00)
- "What You Don't Have" (2:37)
- "House Fire" (6:01)
- "While I'm Waiting" – John Waller (4:52)
- "Temptation" (2:52)
- "The Apology" (2:43)
- "Personal Sacrifice" (3:48)
- "You Belong to Me" – Grey HolidayGrey HolidayGrey Holiday was a four-member American rock band from Austin, Texas. The band is signed to Essential Records. Band members were Matt Minor , Steven Bedingfield , R.T. Bodet and Josh Fenoglio...
(1:50) - "She Did It To Me" (1:50)
- "Love Is Not a Fight (Movie Version)" – Warren BarfieldWarren BarfieldWarren Barfield is a Christian musician.- Personal life :Warren has been married to Megan Barfield since September 1, 2001...
(4:28) - "Bonus Track: While I'm Waiting (Fireproof Remix)" – John Waller (4:49)
Awards
In 2010, the soundtrack for the film was nominated for a Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards41st GMA Dove Awards
The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 21, 2010 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2009. The show was held at the The Opry Entertainment Complex in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Bart Millard....
.
Release
Fireproof was released on September 26, 2008, and received an MPAA rating of PG for "thematic material and some peril."Reception
Fireproof has received generally mixed reviews from critics. Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
gave it rating of 40%, based on 20 reviews. The site's "Top Critics" gave it a 50% rating. Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
gave it a metascore of 28%, based on 6 reviews. Ed Gonzalez of LA Weekly
LA Weekly
LA Weekly is a free weekly tabloid-sized "alternative weekly" in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1978 by Editor/Publisher Jay Levin and a board of directors that included actor-producer Michael Douglas...
said, "Fireproof stops becoming relatable to us all and only to the already, or easily, indoctrinated." Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
said, "While hardly sophisticated in its approach and certainly not polished in its technical elements, the film does get its heartfelt message across with undeniable sincerity. Its success at the box office, which will no doubt continue on home video
Home video
Home video is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or rented/hired for home cinema entertainment. The term originates from the VHS/Betamax era but has carried over into current optical disc formats like DVD and Blu-ray Disc and, to a lesser extent, into methods of digital...
, demonstrates that there's no shortage of filmgoers dissatisfied with cynical Hollywood product."
Josh Rosenblatt of The Austin Chronicle criticized the film's story, saying it "makes for fruitful soul-fishing but lousy drama." Joe Leydon of Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
gave the film a positive review, saying, "Cameron is genuinely compelling as Caleb, a work-obsessed firefighter on the verge of divorce from his neglected wife." Cheryl Dickow of the Catholic Exchange said, "I feel it is necessary to send a message to Catholics everywhere that this is a movie worth seeing."
Box office
Fireproof's advance sales accounted for 40% of all FandangoFandango (ticket service)
Fandango is a corporation in the United States that sells movie tickets over the telephone and Internet, enabling customers to ensure ticket availability and avoid lines at the movie theater.-Services:...
sales the week before the film opened. It was released on September 26, 2008 in 839 theaters and grossed $6,836,036 in its opening weekend, placing at #4. During its run, Fireproof had a domestic gross of $33,456,317, more than triple the lifetime earnings of its predecessor, Facing the Giants, and moving it into the top 6 grossing Christian films of all time. It was the highest grossing independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
of 2008.
The film later gained a theatrical release in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and grossed $16,980.
DVD release
Fireproof was released to DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
on January 27, 2009 and to Blu-ray on September 29, 2009. Included as special features are deleted scene
Deleted scene
In Entertainment, especially the film and television industry, Deleted scenes are parts of a film removed or censored from or replaced by another scene in the final "cut", or version, of a film...
s, blooper
Blooper
A blooper, also known as an outtake or boner is a short sequence of a film or video production, usually a deleted scene, containing a mistake made by a member of the cast or crew. It also refers to an error made during a live radio or TV broadcast or news report, usually in terms of misspoken words...
s, behind-the-scenes making-of
Making-of
In cinema, a making-of, also known as behind-the-scenes, is a documentary film that features the production of a film or television program...
featurettes, and a commentary by the Kendrick Brothers.
On its first weekend of DVD release, it ranked third in retail sales and fifth in rentals with a rental index of 51.02. After the upcoming weeks, it sold $28,507,308 in DVD sales.
Awards
2009 San Antonio Independent Christian Film FestivalSan Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival
San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival is a film festival located in San Antonio, Texas.- 2007 competition :The winner of the Best of Festival Award was The Monstrous Regiment of Women, a documentary on Feminism by the Gunn brothers who in 2005 won the best documentary for their film...
- Best Feature Film
- Runner up for Best of Festival.
17th Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards Gala
- $100,000 Epiphany Prize
The Dove Foundation's Crystal Seal Awards
- Best Drama
See also
- Flywheel (film)Flywheel (film)Flywheel is an American Christian drama film about a car salesman who intentionally overcharges his customers until reaching a turning point in his life where he decides to end his shady business practices and become a Christian. Alex Kendrick both directed the film and starred in the lead role,...
- Facing the GiantsFacing the Giants- Official listing :# Come Together - Third Day# Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns# Facing the Giants Theme - Mark Willard# I'm Finding You - Bebo Norman# The Deathcrawl - Mark Willard# Completely - Ana Laura...
- Courageous (film)Courageous (film)Courageous is an independent Christian drama film produced by Sherwood Pictures and was released to theaters on September 30, 2011. It is the fourth film by Sherwood Pictures, the creators of Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof. Filming in Albany, Georgia concluded in June 2010...
- Sherwood PicturesSherwood PicturesSherwood Pictures is an American Christian film production company in Albany, Georgia, United States. It is unusual among production companies in that it is a ministry of a local church, Sherwood Baptist Church. The company uses mostly volunteers in their productions...
- Sherwood Baptist ChurchSherwood Baptist ChurchSherwood Baptist Church is a Baptist megachurch in Whispering Pines, a subdivision of Albany, Georgia, with over 2,000 attendants, however this number places it among the smallest of referenced "megachurches".- History :...