This is under Q because of Dennis Quaid.
Director: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Writer: Jon Erwin, Brent McCorkle (Screenplay) Jon Erwin, Brent McCorkle, Ale Cramer (Story)
Starring: J Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll, Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins, Cloris Leachman, Jason Burkey
Plot: he inspiring and unknown true story behind MercyMe’s beloved, chart topping song that brings ultimate hope to so many is a gripping reminder of the power of true forgiveness.
Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: I Can Only Imagine starts as Bart (Finley) is being interviewed about the song that made his band MercyMe chart topping artists, we dive back into his childhood where his father Arthur (Quaid) a failed football star takes out his frustrations on him, beating him and seeing his mum leave him.
Bart tries to turn to the church for help, here Bart will find his true calling becoming a singer wanting to entertain and give his message to the world, we follow of journey that will help him discover himself to become the chart-topping artist.
Thoughts on I Can Only Imagine
Characters & Performances – Bart grew up in an abusive household where his imagination was never allowed to grow despite him always dreaming of something more, he tries to become a football star like his father, but an injury in high school changes his direction to become a singer, a talent his father would hate, but he explores. Bart looks joins a band and becomes popular, only he seeks of approval will see him need to face his past before he can become the true superstar he could be. J Michael Finley on the musical side is amazing, though he never looks right as the high school student, looking way to old for that stage of the story, this isn’t his fault, but you can see his musical stills are his strengths. Shannon is the love of Bart’s life, with the two meeting in Christian camp and being connected their whole lives. Arthur the father of Bart who has always put him down when he was growing up, using his own pain to justify why he would abuse his son, being the main reason why Bart can’t complete breakout as the musician. Dennis Quaid does bring extra star value in this role, he shows the redemption story needed.
Story – The story here follows the lead singer of MercyMe Bart Millard as we see how he grows from abused child to popular Christian country singer, learning what help pave the way for him to become the iconic singer in that world. This is a biopic that will show that many people will do have been through a life before they reach stardom, which could have driven the passion to achieve, to escape everything. When we see the journey, it is everything we have seen before without taking away from the importance of the struggles Bart has to overcome, giving us a story that will inspire without preaching.
Themes – I Can Only Imagine has brilliant musical moments when Bart or J Michael Finley is allowed to sing the songs, he is stunning, they are the most entertaining parts of the film, even though this is a biopic about overcome obstacles to become a star.
I Can Only Imagine is an inspiring story of success through a difficult life that will see people achieve their dreams from this world.
