Provident Films released a film on DVD that is ideal for the same market as Fireproof and Courageous. Ring the Bell features big names from Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Hall and Matthew West, to baseball legends Rick Sutcliffe, John Kruk and Ben Zobrist. The film is well structured, but very slow paced, typical of Christian films trying to be deep or heartfelt.

The story is about Rob Decker (Ryan Scharoun), a fast-paced agent who heads to a small community to sign a high school baseball player, but gets stranded in town when his car breaks down. Forced to mingle with people living a simplistic life and one of faith, Decker is faced with leveraging anything he can to sign the boy or letting go of his dreams for something larger and proclaiming it by ringing the bell.

Scharoun’s performance was over the top and unbelievable. It was as if he was in a soap opera, rather than the drama that the story was designed to be. However, he did seem to have the looks necessary to compliment Ashley Anderson McCarthy (Daisy).

McCarthy’s outstanding performance brought life to the story. Her character was the most believable and came across very real and natural. McCarthy’s Daisy was so well crafted that you’d wish she were your next-door neighbor.  Chapman also performed far better than expected in his role as a local pastor of a small church. Even the cameos performed well.

Rather than lead actor Scharoun taking this film to success, I think Chapman and McCarthy are going to drive the DVD sales. Even the cameo by Casting Crowns may be enough to push the undecided to make the purchase. So if you’re a Fireprooof fan who doesn’t mind slow paced films, then you’ll enjoy watching McCarthy’s performance in this heartwarming story.

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