Why do bad things happen to good people?
That’s the question that Kirk Cameron asks in the beginning of his latest documentary Unstoppable. Prompted by the death of a young friend, Kirk embarks on a journey to find the answer. The documentary was produced by Liberty University and broke box office records. The film played in theaters for a limited two night release and grossed $3.2MM.
Cameron, most known for his work on Growing Pains, the original Left Behind film, and Fireproof, gave an incredible performance in this emotionally charged documentary. Unfortunately, the slow pacing of the film and its eclectic style caused me to lose interest more than once. It was as if the editor took several weaker films and cut them into the documentary.
During the scenes when Cameron was on screen, I found the film compelling. In fact, his performance was so strong and personal, that I’d put it in his top-ten list of great performances.
By the end of the film, Cameron admits there is no real answer to the age old question, but takes time to explain what God did for man to overcome such losses. While the end of the film didn’t bring a satisfying answer to the question, it did leave the audience with hope for their future.
Unstoppable is currently available on DVD and study materials are available for those who’d like to use the film in a group setting. The DVD also has numerous bonus features and a trailer for Cameron’s next film, Mercy Rule.
CJ's Corner 