Paradise Recovered

Refreshing and moving. A film that successfully navigates between twin perils: the tendency of independent work to focus on attitude instead of character and story, and the inability of many self-identified Christian films to achieve universally potent drama (a common problem for any genre that strains to please a particular audience).

At issue is young Esther's deep need to live with her faith as a guiding light instead of being suspended in it like an insect in amber. When she starts a job out of a sense of duty to her oppressive caretaker family, she's exposed to the possibilities of a life outside her experience of strict, faith-based control. She finds new friends in her employer and his roommate (a couple of basically decent, slightly scruffy, more worldly young men) but this only increases the pressure on her heart and soul.

A deft script and light-touch direction let the passionate lead performances shine - though nary a cardboard cut-out is to be found either in the writing or the acting. Ultimately life-affirming in ways all kinds of viewers can relate to, I'll remember many moments of Esther's struggle for a long time.