Redeeming Love: The Movie (Review)

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Redeeming Love: The Movie - One of the most moving novels I've ever read is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It is based on the story of the Old Testament prophet Hosea, but Rivers set her story during the Gold Rush. I remember wondering how the story of Hosea's unfaithful wife could possibly be told in any setting other than the paganism of the nations surrounding Israel in ancient times, but Redeeming Love did it so well that the story stayed with me for years.

Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of the power of unconditional love, the kind only God can inspire. The movie is coming to theaters January 21, 2022, and you will want to see it!

Synopsis: 

Based on the bestselling novel by Francine Rivers, REDEEMING LOVE is a powerful story of relentless love and perseverance as a young couple's relationship clashes with the harsh realities of the California Gold Rush of 1850.

Angel expects only pain from those around her. Sold into prostitution as a child, Angel survives with hatred towards herself and the men that use her. She meets Michael Hosea, a farmer who believes God wants Angel to be his wife. Dire circumstances force Angel to accept his proposal, but when Michael defies her bitter expectations, her wounded heart begins to mend.

As Angel encounters a love unlike anything she ever experienced, feelings of unworthiness and shame cause her to run from a life she doesn't think she deserves. As Michael sets out to find her, Angel discovers there is no brokenness that love can't heal.

My thoughts: Faithful to the story (as I expected, since author Francine Rivers collaborated on the screenplay), and with beautiful cinematography, the movie brought the characters and their struggles to life. Scenes of Angel's childhood and the suffering she endured that led to the brothel in Paradise are woven into the opening of the movie, and the portrayal of her broken and hardened character is heart-wrenching. Michael's goodness and perseverance in doing what he believes God has told him to is likewise endearing.

The shreds of humanity and goodness that are left in the evil of the world Angel lives in are few but sweet, and her situation seems hopeless. I loved the patience and gentleness of Michael's offers in contrast to the harsh greed and violence of Angel's masters and tormentors. 

One thing I was concerned about was how the brothel scenes and intimate scenes would be handled. After all, the novel could indicate what was happening without being graphic, but how would the movie version handle those scenes honestly but not gratuitously? I felt that it was done well, but with more realism than some viewers might expect from a "Christian film". Nudity is implied rather than shown, but the scenes of intimacy do not shy away from portraying the passion quite clearly. While in most love stories, I would consider these scenes gratuitous, I think that because of the way Angel has been used and exploited before meeting Michael, their interactions and the purity of his love for her are necessary to the story of her redemption. 

Although set during the Gold Rush, the plight of these fictional characters reminds us that sex trafficking still claims victims today. Redeeming Love: The Movie partners with Redeeming Love Sanctuary Foundation and Where Hope Lives, two organizations that work to support and help survivors and to stop sex trafficking. I'm glad that while this movie is heartwarming and truly entertaining, it also provides beautiful examples of faithful and sacrificial love and forgiveness, and draws attention to those who still need to be rescued and redeemed.

See Redeeming Love in theaters starting January 21st!

Purchase tickets at: RedeemingLoveMovie.com

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Disclosure: Many thanks to Universal for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

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