It is often said that scripture interprets scripture, but most of us are working with incidental fragments from a rather large book. This writer takes one of the toughest messages and manages to assemble the supporting chapters and events without becoming bogged down, overwhelming the novice or boring the expert. I know the story of Abraham and Sarah quite well, and bought tickets with the idea that I would suffer through a low budget interpretation for a good cause, but it was a great show; I walked away feeling like I met the characters and gained new perspectives on the message. Nice segue into the Gospels, great message for young and old, light on the graphic stuff and excellent for conversation after the film.

This movie made up elements and left out such important ones. God's covenant with Abraham, God's speaking with and providing for Hagar, the visitation by the Lord and prophecy of Issac's birth in the coming year (when Sarah laughed, giving Issac his name). I would have preferred the story to be told linearly so we could have agonized with Sarah over her infertility, rejoiced at Issac's birth then really felt the gut punch when God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Also I would have liked to have seen more clearly portrayed Abraham's faith in God's promise that Issac would be the seed to generations and therefore God might even resurrect Issac if necessary. (Hebrews 11:17-19). The movie fell short of my expectations, but I'm glad it has spoken to so many. Hopefully the director will consider sticking more closely to scripture in his future endeavors.

I'm baffled at the high reviews. Angie Studios is asking for honesty so here goes. Confidence was high going in because Angel Studios was behind this film. Their work a low budget on The Chosen has been outstanding.

As soon as the first scene opened and we see a really bad wig we knew we were in for a disappointment. The acting, dialogue, and perspective were a throwback to why Christian films never reached The Passion kind of success and now The Chosen's kind of success. We see between these two budget doesn't matter. Quality of reality matters.

I can look past bad wigs when the artistic license to fill out a biblical account is riveting. This was too somber from the opening scene. The only smile or element of expressed joy in living God was at Isaac's birth. The theme of obedience to God being that of a slave to a mysterious master was overwhelmingly daunting. It didn't stir a passion in us to want to know this God. Sarah's negative demeanor toward God n her husband became exasperating. It would have been better to see Sarah enjoy God with points momentary days of disappointment rather than her entire married life being depressing.

The character relationships were one dimensional. My husband and I discussed why couldn't the relationship between Abraham n God been one of warm faith and desire? Where God was inviting Abraham to know through experience his own Father's towards the loss of His own Son instead of a dry obedience? Like He did with Hosea. Why couldn't we see Isaac and Abraham enjoying each other as he was growing up and Abraham was teaching him the ways of faith, the way of faith that rewarded him with Isaac. If that dimension had been built the attempted sacrifice would have slayed unbelieving hearts in the theaters. We would have seen a young man lay down his life for love instead of dry obedience.

I know this review is going against the majority. I think we are loving the story of Abraham as those who've read it a million times. I think we are loving we got one more Christian film in the theaters. I think we are missing the point of these films being a tool to draw the unbelieving into His love. This film drew us into obeying out of duty not out of affection for a Good Father who had proved Himself already as a giver of good gifts through Isaac.

We honor the writers efforts and we have prayed dimensions of revelation of Gods love for to come as he grows in his art. When we as a community can do better and pull out dimensions that stir the most holy of emotions in unbelievers. We did with the Passion and we are doing it with The Chosen. Deepen our writing dimensions Lord!