Although pimped through every possible evangelical outlet (though astutely panned by evangelical James Dobson), Evan Almighty is not doing that well in the box office, nor among evangelicals, the "faith-based" audience Hollywood is trying to reach. Challies has a nice evaluation of this phenomenon:
He points out several problems with the film itself that may have
caused Christians stayed away: the film portrayed conservative
political leaders as corrupt; the statement in the film that God is "in
everything;" the suggestion that God’s primary concern with humans is
random acts of kindness. He also points out some things that happened
before the film’s release: Evan posing like Marilyn Monroe holding down
his robe; Steve Carrell’s body of work doesn’t give confidence that
he’ll play the role well; the film’s director saying he rejects
traditional religion, and so on. Certainly some of these warned
Christians off….But the real problem, I’m sure, is the one Joseph offered first. The studios just do not understand Christians. They think
they know what will appeal to Christians, try to give it to them, and
then find that they’ve failed. Why? Because they don’t know the
audience. They try to appeal to some watered-down, ridiculous notion of
what a Christian is and then are surprised to learn that true
Christians really bear no resemblance to that caricature.
The review at Focus on the Family's Plugged In website (including Dr. Dobson's reservations about the film) is well worth reading if you're thinking about seeing this movie. After reading this article, we decided to pass. I think Challies has it right: Hollywood has no idea how to appeal to Christian moviegoers.
Hi Seeker:
You didn't say if YOU liked the movie (or even if you saw it). I did see it, and being on the center/left I wasn't really bothered by the villain being a corrupt conservative:-) But leaving that aside, I think Christians–even conservative Christians–ought to see a lot of good in the movie. It wasn't a great film or anything, but like in the original Noah story, the movie shows a man who keeps faith in spite of the disbelief of the the world. Acts of random kindness are nothing to be scoffed at; Jesus seemed to be pretty much in favor of just such acts. The movie wasn't intended to be strictly Christian–the Noah story is a Christian story and a Jewish one.
your friend
Keith
I see a lot of movies on video, but few in the theaters. I only go to the theater for movies that demand big-screen goodness, like animations, space movies, and special effects movies.
While EA fits the bill, it's gotten such mediocre reviews that I doubt I will waste theater money on it. I may get it on video, but what I've seen doesn't look too appealing. I'll be seeing the new Pixar film and Live Free or Die Hard in the theaters, though.
I haven't seen Evan Almighty, but Bruce Almighty was hilarious. Jim Carrey is hilarious though…..
Hi Lawanda:
I won't say that Evan Almighty is as good, but I thought it was funny. You should see it IMO
your friend
keith
Heh. I liked Evan Almighty. I do agree with the issues raised. It was a little too environmental and slightly leftist, but when is a Hollywood movie not. I thought the overall message of the movie was a very positive one. EA doesn't present the Gospel and give an alter call, but I don't think it should.
Christians who want to go and be entertained by a movie that is not offensive (no curse words), not completely judgmental of their beliefs, and gives a positive message can go and enjoy the movie.
I agree that Hollywood doesn't understand the "Christian audience" but this is not a bad movie and it doesn't deserve to be panned for not living up to something it doesn't seek to be (an evangelistic piece for believers).
BTW, Roeper panned it, and his review was convincing.