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Review: ‘An Interview with God’
Faith-based film features real-world characters with real-life struggles — and surreal journalism
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
That’s the intriguing notion posed by “An Interview with God.” The faith-based film, written and produced by Ken Aguado and directed by Perry Lang, had a limited, three-day run in theaters across the U.S. recently. My son-in-law, Tony, caught the trailer on Facebook and asked me and my husband, Pat, to join him for the screening.
We were blessed to witness a very special piece of Christian cinema with believable characters and a challenge to think about life’s big questions.
The film focuses on Paul Asher (Brenton Thwaites, from last year’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” installment). He’s a religion columnist who recently returned home to New York after being embedded with U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. Asher’s marriage is crumbling and his veteran friend suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Asher also is under severe stress from his experiences overseas, with covert suicidal ideations.
Then he encounters a man who claims to be God. He grants Asher three half-hour interviews on consecutive days. “The Man,” as he’s identified in the script, is portrayed by longtime TV actor David Strathairn (known for his announcer-style voice, as evidenced in his portrayal of Edward R. Murrow in “Good Night, and Good Luck”).
After consulting with his editor, Asher accepts the offer and attempts to conduct the interviews as a professional, dispassionate journalist. But, time and again, The Man turns each question in a personal, caring way as he tries to meet the reporter’s needs. God, Asher learns, is kind, concerned, humorous and humble yet deeply thoughtful. The columnist finds himself challenged on many levels, often leading him to consternation.
“‘An Interview with God’ delivers deep and clear, complete yet simple thoughts on God acting in our lives, his wonderful plan for his children, and his great concern and love for us.”
Through the interviews, Asher also begins to realize that many people surrounding him are giving him support through this difficult time. His boss, his sister-in-law and even a caring neighbor enrich and bless him with encouragement and help just by being who they are, giving of themselves.
It’s so easy for me to just live in the minutiae of each day, so it felt really good to be challenged to think about the big questions in life posed by this film. “An Interview with God” delivers deep and clear, complete yet simple thoughts on God acting in our lives, his wonderful plan for his children, and his great concern and love for us. The movie also embeds the power of prayer as the characters seek answers to their stress and problems.
Lynda Sheehan
On another level, the film challenges us to be those whom God uses to help others as we share what God has done for us.
Watching Asher embrace the outcome of his interviews — seeing him recognize the miracles of healing and forgiveness taking place in his own life and the lives of those around him — was energizing. We left the theater discussing and thinking through the deeper themes of faith, forgiveness, hope, prayer and salvation. We pondered the gift and the challenge of free will and the blessings that flow through others in a God-led way.
The movie’s website offers a trailer, a free discussion guide, cast bios and responses from online fans. A novelization of the film, available in paperback and digital, is the perfect way to rethink the film’s themes.
The movie will be available on DVD November 6, 2018, and available on Digital October, 23, 2018.
For a limited time only, Christian Chronicle readers can get 30-percent off of the digital version of the novelization from Smashwords. To access the discount use the code VJ48G at checkout. Orders must be placed through Smashwords to receive the discount. This discount is only valid through October 18, 2018.
LYNDA SHEEHAN is an administrative assistant for The Christian Chronicle. She worships with the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City.
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