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MOVIE REVIEW

I'm Not Ashamed

MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) for thematic material, teen drinking and smoking, disturbing violent content and some suggestive situations.

Reviewed by: Loretta Lang—first time reviewer
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Better than Average—but not for youngsters
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Teens Adults
Genre: Christian Biography Drama
Length: 1 hr. 52 min.
Year of Release: 2016
USA Release: October 21, 2016 (wide—500 theaters)
DVD: January 24, 2017
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Relevant Issues

courage / bravery

FEAR—What does the Bible say? Answer

standing up for Jesus Christ your Creator and eternal Savior, no matter what the cost

determining that you will use your life to make a difference in the world

being a good ambassador for Christ

compassionate / caring / love for your fellow human beings

Rachel Joy ScottAbout Rachel Joy Scott (Wikipedia)

faith / truth

Learn how to be more effective in evangelism
Stumped about how to share your faith in Christ with others? Our EffectiveEvangelism.com site assists Christians in effectively reaching out to others with love and truth. Learn about the worldview of the people you meet, ways to share the gospel, read stories submitted by site users, and more.
Click here to watch THE HOPE on-line!
Discover God’s promise for all people—told beautifully and clearly from the beginning. Discover The HOPE! Watch it on Christian Answers—full-length motion picture.
Featuring Masey McLain … Rachel Joy Scott
Ben Davies … Nathan Ballard
Cameron McKendry … Alex Dickerson
Terri Minton … Beth Nimmo
Victoria Staley … Madison
Taylor Kalupa … Gabby
Emma Elle Roberts … Celine
Sadie Robertson … Charity
David Errigo Jr. … Eric Harris
Cory Chapman … Dylan Klebold
See all »
Director Brian Baugh — “To Save a Life” (2009), “The Ultimate Gift” (2007—Director of Photography)
Producer All Entertainment
Visible Pictures
See all »
Distributor
Distributor: PureFlix. Trademark logo.
Pure Flix Entertainment, a subsidiary of AFFIRM Entertainment, a Sony Company

Pureflix, the creators of “God’s Not Dead,” heralds the movie, “I’m Not Ashamed,” as the beauty amidst the ashes. It’s based on the life of Rachel Joy Scott, a student murdered in the Columbine High School Massacre. Rachel uses a diary to draw and chronicle her most innermost thoughts. Like her peers, she craves for acceptance, a boy-girl relationship, and an opportunity to hang-out with friends. As a Christian, Rachel struggles with her love for God and a need to fit-in at school. After experiencing a devastating heartbreak and an unexpected betrayal by a friend, Rachel reaches out to God wholeheartedly, with a new determination to “live out loud” for Christ. Disappointingly, Rachel’s “open” Christian identity doesn’t mesh with the ideals of her peers. The murderous duo, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold plot for months on how to ambush Columbine High School and victimize targeted individuals.

On April 20, 1999, twelve innocent people die at their hands, including Rachel Joy Scott. Unlike the others, Rachel is given an ultimatum—renounce God or die. This would be her last opportunity to witness for Christ. Without hesitation, she takes the bullet. The Motion Picture Association of America gives “I’m Not Ashamed”, a PG-13 rating, due to some material and the cap for children under 13. One of the film’s producers, Nise Davies says that Rachel’s mother wants others to see her daughter’s real life struggles. With this in mind, the film’s creative force meticulously mirrors the images, personalities, events, and cultural themes of Rachel’s day (bullying, dating, sex, alcohol, discrimination, rejection…).

“I’m Not Ashamed” is a must see inspirational film. It depicts the realness of life with its temptations, trials, and pitfalls. I encourage churches, youth groups, and the unchurched alike to see this film. The beauty of Rachel Joy Scott’s life is that she learns from her mistakes, and values her love for God more than life itself. I pray that when I’m faced with death, “I will fear no evil.”

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—I saw “I’m Not Ashamed,” and all I can say is POWERFUL. Telling the story from Rachel’s journaling to make it to the movie screen. It told us what a teen had to deal with. Her personal struggles and her devotion to Jesus. It reminded us that there is a dark world to deal with. It told us that we could be a light in a dark world. I loved it and will tell many go see it. I think this is a story to inspire, and I give it an A+ for touching my heart. I might Evan start journaling. We all have stories to tell with our own personal lives.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Rockinron Corino, age 53 (USA)
Positive—I saw this movie this evening, and frankly, have to say I was quite impressed with it. I was only four when the shooting at Columbine took place, so don’t remember much if anything about the actual event. I’ve heard some about it through the years, but this movie is my first real insight into the story. I’ll break my review down into two parts, movie quality, and content. The filming was excellent, well shot and choreographed. In the very beginning, the storyline was a bit disjointed but flowed nicely through the rest of the movie.

The acting was superb, as was line delivery, with only a couple of lines spoken in what I’d say was a “cheesy” manner. Ben Davies from “Courageous” fame, did a great job as Nathan, and I liked his character a lot. As far as content goes, this PureFlix production pushes the bounds a bit compared to other films they’ve made. I definitely think the subject matter is at a PG-13 level and only teens and up should see this movie. Since this film is portraying actual events, and because it is also showing a Christian trying to literally live “in the world, but not of the world,” there are a number of instances where smoking and drinking are portrayed. Most of these are in a partying context, during which there are also a few brief shots of couples making out, though nothing more than kissing and light caressing are shown. There are implications of fornication, but nothing is seen. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Tim C., age 21 (USA)
Positive—Even though you know how Rachel Joy Scott’s story ends, the movie draws you in and keeps you in suspense. Be sure to stay through the main closing credits for a touching montage. Now, for the first time, see Rachel Scott’s story in her own words, and experience her life as seen through her eyes. Here is the untold story of one courageous young woman who defied conventional wisdom in order to live for Jesus and was not ashamed of Him before mankind. And now, if ye shall kindly indulge me whilst I quote from the thirtieth through thirty-eight verses from the eighth chapter of The Holy Gospel Of Jesus Christ, According To Mark. Jesus hath sharply rebuked Satan, who stirred up Peter to understand not the things of God. And He called the people unto Him with His disciples, and said unto them, Whosoever will follow Me, let him forsake himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, he shall save it. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
D, age 30 (USA)
Positive—I CRIED AT THE END OF THIS; SO SAD. Rachel Joy Scott. You just may start a chain reaction. On the back of my ID Card. This movie was so powerful. Rachel had such a heart for God, it amazed me and inspired me and grew me deeper in my faith. It’s a shame that atheists are putting this film down; they need prayer. The actors give Oscar® worthy performances, and the filmmaking is stunning, as in all Pure Flix films. Faith has a truly incredible impact in this film. It wasn’t Rachel’s decision that they kept shooting, it was theirs.

Please and pray for them and their family, same with Rachel and all the everybody from Columbine and pray this movie becomes a dominating force in the world. Go see this film, “I’m Not Ashamed,” Romans 1:16.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Stephen Jacewicz, age 21 (USA)
Positive—This movie was excellent!!! Very inspiring. It will take you through your inner emotions. I can sympathize with the young lady. It’s usually the good people that get taken advantage of. I will keep this movie in my thoughts and and prayers.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Heather, age 39 (USA)
Positive—Every believer and every church needs to see “I'm Not Ashamed” the true story of Rachel Scott that came out of the Columbine High School tragedy.
Josh McDowell, Josh McDowell Ministries (USA)
Positive—The true story of a young convert to Christ who changed her life and deeply changed many lives around the world for what she did and said in just those last few seconds of life. Would I cower? Would you?
Glenn Beck (USA)
Positive—This movie will ensure that Rachel will indeed fulfill her calling to be used by God to touch millions!
Governor Mike Huckabee (USA)
Movie Critics
…the inspirational movie of the year…
Michael Foust, ChristianExaminer

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