Reviewed by: Karen C. Flores
CONTRIBUTOR
Moral Rating: | Excellent! |
Moviemaking Quality: |
|
Primary Audience: | Adults Teens Family |
Genre: | Christian Drama |
Length: | 2 hr. |
Year of Release: | 2015 |
USA Release: |
August 27, 2015 (select) August 28, 2015 (wide—1,135 theaters) September 4, 2015 (wider—1,526 theaters) September 25, 2015 (wider—1,900+ theaters) DVD: December 22, 2015 |
What is prayer?
PRAYER TIPS for new and growing Christians
Why aren’t my prayers answered? Answer
FOR MISSIONARIES—How can I pray for my missionary? Answer
FOR PERSECUTED CHURCH—Why should we pray and act for the suffering church? Answer
MUSLIMS—How can followers of Christ best pray for Muslims? Answer
WORSHIP—What is it? And why is it important?
AMEN—What does this word mean?
PARENTING TIPS ON TEACHING THANKFULNESS—Besides saying grace at meals, how can I teach my child to be thankful? Answer
Why should humans give thanks to their Creator? What does the Bible say about it? Answer
Based on his actions, it seems clear that Tony (the husband) was unconverted and unsaved—not merely a backslidden Christian. What are some things he lacked—making him an enemy of God, destined for eternal separation from God? …
hatred of sin
reconciliation with God
Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer
How good is good enough? Answer
Will all mankind eventually be saved? Answer
Featuring |
Priscilla Evans Shirer … Elizabeth Jordan T.C. Stallings … Tony Jordan Karen Abercrombie … Miss Clara Beth Moore … Mandy Michael Jr. … Michael Jadin Harris … Jennifer Stephens Tenae Downing … Veronica Drake Meg Crosbie … Church Member Ben Davies … Policeman Kimberly Hester Huffstetler … Charge Nurse Noël Baker … Trish Myke Holmes … Delivery Guy Ashley Bratcher … Lindsay J.D. Banks … Robber Rusty Martin Sr. … Mr. Barnes See all » |
Director | Alex Kendrick — “Courageous” (2011), “Fireproof” (2008), “Facing the Giants” (2006) |
Producer |
FaithStep Films Affirm Films Red Sky Studios |
Distributor | TriStar Pictures, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment |
“Prayer is a powerful weapon.”
The Kendrick brothers, who brought you “Fireproof” and “Courageous,” are back with a new theme to their film ministry: prayer. Their latest venture is called “War Room.” This drama posits that prayer is a battlefield. It tells the story of Tony and Elizabeth Jordan. They have all the material possessions of a successful family. Tony (T.C. Stalling) is a successful salesman in a pharmaceutical company. Elizabeth (Priscilla Shirer) has a good career in real estate. Along with good jobs, they have a nice house and a beautiful daughter. Beneath the surface, however, their marriage is in trouble. The relationship is steeped in distrust and disloyalty. Tony keeps Elizabeth in the dark about what is happening in his life, which leads to Elizabeth having feelings of anger, bitterness, and resentment.
While the marriage is in a severe strain, Elizabeth meets a new client, Miss Clara, a quirky elderly woman who speaks her mind. Their meeting is what changes Elizabeth’s life. Miss Clara introduces Elizabeth to her “war room,” which is a prayer closet. Miss Clara teaches Elizabeth how to pray in the war room and how to bring her troubles to the Lord God.
Elizabeth feels hopeless. She has been trying to keep her marriage and her family together on her own strength. When she meets Miss Clara, she learns how to rely on God’s strength. Like Jesus’ example from the Bible, Miss Clara shows Elizabeth new wineskins to pour her marriage into, instead of the old wineskins that she was using. Elizabeth thinks that she is going to help a new client put her house up for sale, but instead, her client helps her get a renewed marriage. Once Elizabeth starts to pray, her life and her marriage are turned upside down.
The term “repent” is used in this film, but not really explained. What is repentance?
What is regeneration?
I think that people need to watch this film. It does not show God as a fairy godmother or Santa Claus. It shows that hope is found in prayer and trusting and believing God and His Word. The movie tells us that despite the fact that situations seem really dark and gloomy, if we trust God to take care of the circumstance, He will bring us to the other side with joy and hope.
Scenes in this movie that may be of concern to some:
There is a scene where one spouse desires to commit adultery.
In the same scene, the spouse drinks alcohol.
There is a scene about lying, dishonesty, and stealing.
There is no violence, nudity or profanity. It is very family-oriented, but some subjects, like the possibility of adultery, may not be appropriate for children under ten years old. As believers, I feel strongly that we need to support Christian films in order to make a statement to Hollywood. It is a decent film, telling us how to use an important tool in the Christian life: prayer.
Violence: Mild / Language: Mild / Sex/Nudity: Mild
Update, 8.28.2015: Now that the movie is out, I have a surprise for you. I saw a screening of this movie months ago. I learned that the actress who plays Miss Clara is a younger woman. She is not elderly at all. She came into the audition dressed as the character and won the part. I think that’s what makes this movie more interesting. She amazed the directors and producers with this performance. I hope that it amazed you, too!
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.
Without giving too much away, all the emotional strings were pulled in this movie: joy, anger, sadness. Two hours later, I’m still in awe of how amazing this film was. I wish this movie was available for viewing in more theaters (only ONE theater in my area, out of dozens, was showing this). If it’s in your area and you only go to one movie this year, this is IT. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors! I can’t wait for the DVD release!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½