Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Dang

Reviewed by: Ken James
STAFF WRITER

Moral Rating: Better than Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Teen to Adult
Genre: Comedy
Length: 18 min.
Year of Release: 2001
USA Release: December 30, 2010 (festival)
Featuring Trey Reynolds, Kristen Keene
Director Jason Garrett
Producer Lorene Wales, Kristen Mustoe, Jason Garrett
Distributor Barefoot Road

“Dang” is one of those film you want to like. it’s got a positive and timely message about abstinence for teens and college aged, has decent technical ability, and is injected with plenty of good ole’ fashion humor. Yet “Dang” is one of those films that will only be acceptable to some, despite the positive biblical message.

David is a typical male college student: he’s got sex on the brain. But he isn’t typical of most other orgy-like college fliks that hit the theater with an R-rating. Unlike the supposed “heros” of such films, David is a virgin who has committed to God his plan to stay so until marriage. Way to go David! But David is also realistic enough to know that “things of the flesh” can be too much of a temptation to overcome sometimes.

The film starts with our young protagonist working the college post office. Naturally, “Victoria’s Secret” catalogues arrive often in the mail for several of the students, and David faces the temptation to take a peek. He does (and so does the camera for a few seconds). With this, the audience learns that David knows that his struggles in this area sometimes succumb to the short satisfaction and rush. Soon after this incident, we find him with some other friends in the cafeteria when in walks the woman that David considers “Dang!”… she’s physically perfect! And what’s more, she’s got a thing for David. The remainder of the 18-minute story centers around David and the situation he finds himself in with this woman, facing the imminent possibility of spending the night with her together on a deserted beach.

The Christian church has been far too silent on this issue, for sure. Sex is a huge thing in our culture, and I haven’t seen much indication that sexual promiscuity among professing Christian teens is anything different from their non-Christian counterparts, sadly. what’s up with that?

I know of several other Christian videos that also deal with such topics from various approaches, including: “Searching for True Love”, Pamela’s Prayer, “Sex, Love and Relationships” and “Only Once”. “Dang” stands apart, in that it is a comedy and a step in a new direction for Christian film, but I’m afraid the crudeness of the film will be too much for any conservative youth pastor or church.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive—I thought this was a very well-made and funny film tackling a subject all too familiar to me before I got married. Without being very preachy, the movie captures the reality of the struggle for sexual purity with humor and candidness. Put under the ultimate test and asked why he wants to wait, the bumbling and kind of goofy protagonist arrives at a beautiful answer, “Because I already love her, even though I don’t know who she is yet,” referring to his future wife. This was a delightful 18 minutes that I hope more people can enjoy.
My Ratings: [Better than Average / 5]
Josh Jackson, age 30
Positive—I loved DANG! Like Scripture, it tells a story about people who deal with struggles of the flesh. Sometimes failing, sometimes overcoming. The director manages to do this without dragging anybody through the mud, yet keeping it from being hokey or cliched. In fact, the content is original in nature. I feel fortunate to have viewed this film. Among the best that I’ve seen produced by Christians.
My Ratings: [Excellent! / 5]
Cris Cunningham, age 30
Positive—I really enjoyed the film and think that it addresses a serious issue that the church often doesn’t. I think the film applies to men more than women just because it is coming from a male perspective. I know the struggles men have to go through because of the way we are wired with visual stimulation and all that stuff. I was recently at a Christian event and noticed how some of the women were dressed and it really bothered me how the fashion and style of tight fitting clothes took precedence over what their brothers in Christ might be struggling with. There is the possibility that they don’t understand what they are doing to us and if this is the case then men may be dressing inappropriately as well. There needs to be more education about this topic so that we can help each other with the common struggle against this Earthly body and its desires. I believe that Christian men and women should set the example for the rest of the world…
My Ratings: [Excellent! / 3½]
Brett Miller, age 25
Positive—This movie, while probably not loved by “conservative youth pastors” will be loved by conservative youth of today. The problem with the “conservative youth pastor” is that what he will view as “safe” enough for his kids to view will have NO RELEVANCE to that youth’s every day. What is contained in this film is a comedic, but frank portrayal of what any man (Christian or not) has to deal with. As a graduate from a Christian University, the realities of temptation and peer sexual discussion is much worse that portrayed here—even in “Christian” environments. This is an EXCELLENT film to promote real discussion about a very relevant topic. AND, I think it is not just for boys. Too many young Christian women today are brought up having NO IDEA what a guys world of temptation, hormones, and sexual drive are really about. I know that speaking with my wife, who was a Christian virgin when we married, was shocked to realize how common a struggle for guys sexual temptation was. She was actually angry with your community that never discussed this… even in college. So, do I like this film? Yes! Should it be in every youth group meeting in America? Absolutely. The leaders should put aside their prudishness for the sake of real conversations about the realities of growing up male and Christian!
My Ratings: [Better than Average / 4½]
Jason Francis, age 29
Positive—I loved this film! A wonderful combination of humor and honesty, this short movie addresses the hot topic of dating in today’s anything goes culture in the context of Christ showing that it is in fact possible to remain a virgin until marriage. This movie doesn’t take the normal “religious” route with a traditionally “hush-hush” topic. In a short, 18-minutes, Dang! explores real feelings, thoughts and attitudes towards sex, believable temptations that come across the paths of Christians and non-Christians alike, true solutions for those times of crisis, and the beautiful, remarkable benefits for waiting until marriage. The film gives real answers to real questions instead of pat “you just should wait” answers that leave young people feeling confused and even guilty about their feelings. To turn the tide of loose morals and selfish indulgences prevalent in today’s society, a film like this is a must. We have to pull out all the stops, stop the blushing (because the young people have, believe me).
My Ratings: [Better than Average / 5]
Lori Lundquist, age 27
Positive—As a professor at a Christian College I am glad to see an honest look at the struggles of one college male. I think it is no coincidence that the main character David, shares the same first name as King David. King David had his own sexual struggles and yet he is still called a man after God’s own heart. And that is what I see in Dang’s David. A man who wants to do what is right, to be pleasing to God. The Bible also says that we will not be tempted beyond what we can handle. And in the film we see David crying out to his saviour for help and he is rescued. I teach Digital Film Making as a course at my school. In terms of artistic merit this film is outstanding. It has the makings of what I consider a great film. It has wonderful form and morally positive content. Before I went back to grad school I was a youth pastor. I think this film is a must see for any youth group. (I would encourage a PG-13 warning. The film has a few moments that are normal fare on primetime TV). And as a college professor this is a film that I will be showing for years to come as an example of excellence in Christian Filmmaking.
My Ratings: [Better than Average / 5]
Jamey Durham, age 35