Come What Maya.k.a. “Moot Courting”

Positive—This movie is a great teaching tool for parents and kids. From the father/son discussion in the batting cages to the budding relationship between Caleb and Rachel, there are plenty of things that make this a worthwhile movie. While the technical aspects of the movie are not worthy of Oscar contention, the message far overshadows the technical negatives. The lead actors/actresses are far more believeable as real people than those that Hollywood churns out on a regular basis.

Topics that stand out in a positive way: Honesty, Integrity, Dating, and Marriage. I particularly enjoy Rachel’s stand for purity in her relationship with Caleb. Not riding in the same car alone. Not holding hands. That is some great stuff that teenagers need to “get” and not something they are getting in the media these days. While the husband and wife have issues in their marriage, they are committed to making it work. We need more movies like this!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 3
—Michael, age 44 (USA)

Positive—This is a must see movie for everyone! It has solid biblical facts and a touching story. Although it is a very controversial issue of abortion, it tells the facts from a Christian standpoint. Very Good movie.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4
—Dana, age 37 (USA)

Negative—The issue of abortion is always controversial. Ever since its inception in 1973, it is been the target of religious group and advocates everywhere. Flash forward 30 years later, a movie has been made by Christian groups regarding the issue. It’s something that you’ll find in church sermon on Sunday morning, why they produce a 92-minute movie to force the subject down our throats is another matter. It bypassed theaters and went straight to video route, which is good because, I hate to say this on a Christian movie review, but this one narrowly escaped Razzie consideration. This movie is also a horrible excuse for naming the movie off a song from “Moulin Rouge”.

“Come What May” plays out more like a Lifetime movie-of-the-week than an actual movie. It’s about as cheaply produced as cardboard, as so are the one-dimension characters whom we care nothing about. The cast is mostly made up of newcomers who have no prior acting experience, and shows that they should go back to their day job (whatever it may entail).

Caleb Hogan (Austin Kearney) is a promising young man who wants to become a lawyer, and he also dreams of getting into the prestigous Patrick Henry College. While his father (Kenny Jezek) agrees, his mother (Karen Jezek) isn’t fully convinced. She agrees, only paying for the first year unless he wins the Moot Court Championship. The debate topic is to overturn Roe v Wade, and Caleb’s debate partner is Rachel (Victoria Emmons; who mirrors resemblance toward Heather Lagenkamp from the original “Nightmare on Elm Street”). Rachel and Caleb immediately grow attached to each other, although Rachel isn’t ready to accept Caleb as a boyfriend until she’s ready for a relationship. A minor subplot also deals with the fact that Caleb’s parents haven’t been seeing eye to eye lately, and to top it off, Caleb’s mother is chosen to be the opponent factor in the debate.

While some Christians will like this movie and its powerful lessons on trust, relationship, and life, it will not be a movie for everyone. Shot on digital camera, the movie is poorly constructed, has several gaping plot holes, and the dialogue is very poor as is the wooden acting job. I do believe children are a child of God and life is to be taken for granted, but I also believe not all are ready to become the overbearing responsibility of motherhood quite yet, however this is a fight that belongs in mainstream courtrooms. Films like “The Passion of the Christ” and “Saving God” I show sympathy for, but it is when the film becomes too overly preachy (i.e. “Left Behind” series, “Fireproof”) on its core message that the film drags on and becomes boring. After this movie, my boredom turned to tiredness.

Violence: None / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: None
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 1
—Christopher Walker, adult (USA)