yjudith I've been watching a lot of Christian themed movies lately and i really liked this one. I will admit it comes off as low budget, but it didnt take away from the story of the film. I noticed that some people are asking "John Corbett as a pastor?" and I thought he was a perfect fit. Another perfect fit was Barry Corbin.; he does cantankerous so well!!This wasnt a film filled with dynamite actors, I know, I found myself cringing a lot the first 20 minutes, but after a while I was so into the story that I stopped noticing and was amazed at the spirit of this little town and the people in it. Oh and I Ioved discovering that the cast of refugees were actual Karen people!!!

lavatch In the bonus track of the DVD version of "All Saints," the major theme of the film was described by the film artists as one of "hope and faith." The film was shot on location of the actual All Saints church in Smyrna, Tennessee, that is the subject of the film. It was interesting to meet a number of the real people alongside the actors performing them.The main narrative focuses on the attempt to save an episcopal church in rural Tennessee that is about to be shut down and sold, due to lack of parishioners and funding. The improbable story that unfolds is a bold (or hare-brained?) plan of a dedicated pastor, Michael Spurlock, and the newest members of the congregation, a group of Karen immigrants who have fled the civil war and genocide in Burma (Myanmar), located between Bangladesh on the west and Laos and Thailand on the east. The idea is to pool their efforts in starting a farm on the church property, and sell the crops to pay off the debts and save the church.By far, the most interesting character in the film is a young man named Ye Win, who organizes his family members and friends to become an integral part of the congregation and save the church. The best scene in the film is when Ye Win delivers a speech to the bishop and church administrators in an effort to buy time in saving the church. He wins over the elders by arguing that "we are one family."The film was not as successful in developing how the members of the Smyrna community rallied around the farm idea that ultimately gave the church a new identity. Much of the action was overly sentimental and melodramatic. And, for an episcopal church in the south, it was surprising that there was very little church ritual presented in the dramatized church services, which were far too informal and unstructured. In the bonus track, it was noted that the struggle to develop the farm and race against the clock was not merely an effort to save the church, but to save each other. But, as depicted in the film, the characters were so resourceful that it really did not appear that they needed any "saving." The more important drama was how they came together in a shared purpose and inspired others who eventually flocked to Smyrna to be a part of something that is all but vanishing in today's world: the vital importance of people working together and developing a unique bonding as a community.

Molongirl This a such a good true story on how a failing church is totally revitalised by the most unlikely of preachers and also how "community" can develop among the most unlikely groups of people. Cultural differences, age differences disappear as they work together toward a common goal. When a preacher is told to close a church and sell off the land it seems just another move in the downsizing of churches and their people. Then the miracle happens, no not the Hollywood "happy ever after" sort of miracle where all crops would be harvested, there would be no floods nor trucks impounded on a hot day, but the real miracle of people learning to listen to each other, to work together, to respect each other, to love each other. The speech by the Karen man to the church leaders is a focal point and grounded the movie, such a moving moment and so heart breaking, so well done.The simplicity and honesty of this speech helps the church leaders and us as viewers get a small glimpse of what others have suffered and what "mission"actually is. Each main character learns so much from the experience of trying to save the church and the movie demonstrates it well, the preacher, that sometimes we think God calls us to do something for a particular reason when in reality it is a totally different plan He has in mind. The church leaders learn to listen and one particular one hears again his call to ministry and lastly the ordinary people learn not to give up. A good story told well and with a sense of humour, do go and see this, you'll feel better for it.

michele_hixon While inspirational, this movie is also very real in depicting the awkward and unpredictable messiness of life while trying to follow God. Some of the casting is really strong. It may push us a little toward out-of-the-box thinking. I will try to see it again partly because it was thought provoking and also because there were a few scenes I couldn't understand what was said. It is not necessarily Christian, but more spiritual. As far as reviews go, it's humorous to see how a spiritual movie predictably ends up averaging 6 stars when only 7% of viewers rated it 6 stars. Since 40% rated it 10 stars and 20% rated it 1 star there's a much higher chance (60%) you will be in one of the totally love/totally hate it groups.