God's Country (2012)

Simply A Masterpiece

Nice effects though.

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

I don't write reviews (this is my first!), but I feel compelled because the obviously shill reviews for this movie convinced our family to waste our time to watch this movie. We enjoy faith-based movies - have seen some really good ones (War Room, Love Comes Softly series, Facing The Giants, Flywheel, God's Not Dead series, Hoovey, The Grace Card, To Save A Life, The Secret's of Jonathan Sperry, Believe Me, A Matter of Faith, to name just a few). We've also seen some really bad ones, but this may be the worst! The acting is painful and cringe-worthy. The writing and directing just awkward and disjointed. The "Christian" lines inserted in this movie make it seem like an attempt to "Christianize" a film to sell to Christians! Our family agreed - watching a movie like this gave us an appreciation for the art of making a watchable movie, let alone a good or great movie.Most of all, we feel cheated by whomever wrote all these "outstanding" reviews, and wasted our time on this movie. "Outstanding" compared to what?! We can account for different tastes in movie appreciation and reviews, but this is clearly not even close to an "outstanding" movie, and in fact - compared to the films listed above - not even passable. If this even was an earnest attempt at a Christian film (and that is in great doubt), the phoniness of acting, lines, plot guarantees delivering nothing "moving" about this film. The Spirit definitely "passed over" this one!

I'll say this for God's Country, it takes a certain amount of chutzpah to make as blatant an anti-feminist film as this one in this day and age. But I get the feeling that Jenn Gotzon wouldn't mind having our current president in the White House if it was for a good cause like spreading the faith.When we first meet Gotzon she's a hard driving banking and real estate executive who has an assignment from boss Daniel Hugh-Kelly. Get Michael Toland off a piece of property he owns and owes on so that the brothers Yakamoto brothers can build a casino. Who needs the Christian camp that Toland has there now.I hope a lot of you recognize the plot of You Can't Take It With You because if you've seen the Kaufman&Hart classic than you know exactly how it goes. Her business and banking skills will now go to work for the Lord and she's got a man now in Toland's son Gib Gerard which is as things should be.Actually in real life how this would have gone is this property would be owned by one of those televangelists and if it needed to be moved his facility would be so moved with a sweet offer that would leave all parties satisfied.Kaufman&Hart would have much to say here and would say it with far more wit than this film has.

OK, so for those of you who enjoy faith-friendly films, this is a good one to add to your collection or at least take the time to watch. Like most films of this genre you can pretty much see what's coming from the get-go (starting with the title) but it's still fun to watch things unfold just the way you figured. In any event, Jenn Gotzon does a great job of making you dislike brazen capitalist Meghan, a feat similarly accomplished by Daniel Hugh Kelly who plays her insidious boss. Michael Toland is the credible though somewhat understated owner of God's Country while Gib Gerard plays his sorely passive son Jake, a Harvard Biz-School grad who has decided to thwart the mainstream for more people-friendly endeavors. After watching him in action (or mostly inaction), you might feel that Harvard probably wouldn't have disagreed with his decision.While there are no surprises in the script, the film derives its entertainment value almost completely from Jenn Gotzon's portrayal of Meghan, the ditzy, conceited, bigoted, and downright unlikable banker who ultimately finds God, saves God's Country from Satanic Japanese investors, and wins over the pouty minister's son. Whew, that's a lot but if you don't see most of it coming perhaps you should see an optometrist. In Gotzon's interpretation of Meghan, the Devil does indeed wear Prada although when she finds God a decent pair of hiking shoes fits just fine.Last but not least, this is a message film and I have to admit I found the moral to the story endearing though perhaps a little sappily presented for the New Millennium crowd.All in all, despite its flaws, the film has two things going for it - Jenn Gotzon and the feel-good ending. It may take a while getting there, but hopefully you'll find the trip up to God's Country worth the ride.

If you're looking for a movie with lots action, complex plot and characters - you will likely be disappointed here. But, if you're in the mood for a movie that challenges today's self centered money motivated secular values - then you're in luck! Fans of the beautiful and talented Jenn Gotzon won't be disappointed either. She literally shines in this film. Those who know her won't be surprised by this in the least. (It's almost as if Angels surround her throughout the film.)Technically, there are some rough edges, but over all Chris Armstrong does a masterful job at helming his wife's star turn. A combination that completely works for both Gotzon and Armstrong here.Personally, I wished there was more to the script itself to challenge the viewer and some of the casting seems a little awkward, but industry stalwarts Daniel Hugh Kelly, Gib Gerard and Michael Toland all turn in fine performances. Two more bright spots in the cast are Kevin Brown and Stephanie Barnes. Barnes seems to carry the spirit of the picture with her on screen and her scenes with Gotzon work especially well and help to beef up some of the necessary story conflict that add so much to a satisfying resolution.I'm a softy for movies with a lot of heart and I don't mind saying that I kept my hankie busy for the last quarter of the film.