Judge Not

This is a nicely produced faith film focused on the "ideals" our faithful church members are to uphold, and the realities that we are all sinners, and fail to meet those goals.

The story starts with our recently divorced mother of three discovering that she is pregnant from a failed post-divorce relationship. She realizes that another child in the family would be a massive difficulty. In today's society there are several choices this mother could make including abortion. Predictably, as a faith film, this option is examined & regarded as the least desirable outcome.

Despite the seriousness of the subject, the film is not 'preachy' as another reviewer put it. It places all the options on the table, and follows her as she explores each, with her family & close friend. The drama intensifies when she shares her secret struggle with the members of her church, and we witness the reactions from several points of view within that small, tight knit community.

Nestled well in the main story are two side plots embracing similar issues.

Overall it is an enjoyable film with humor and pathos in a church setting which grounds it to the author's honest faith & convictions.

I'm always leery of indie or low budget movies. Maybe because I grew up with many of Hollywood's golden standard movies and I've become spoiled, in a matter of speaking.

All that aside, I have to say the group that made this movie packed a few pleasant surprises.

The cinematography was nicely done with some of the camera angles nailing perfection. The acting was good in some places and incredible at other times. The audio work was amazing; a testament that indies don't have to sound like they were ahoy in a fish tank. The story itself was something that needs to be made more aware. Kudos to the cast and crew!

Judge Not is a faith based movie however it does not come across as too "preachy." The film confronted topics and situations that are often shied away from it shunned by society yet occur everyday in communities of all sizes. The cast and crew did a great job of presenting a well thought out plot. By tying together concurrent storylines, the director made it relatable to people of many generations and backgrounds.

Some scenes were a little excessive in length but otherwise the quality of the film far exceeded the allotted budget.

All in all, a high quality movie with a great storyline and valuable message for all!

I had the pleasure of screening 'Judge Not' at a local theatre on a Sunday afternoon and the room was filled with attendees plus cast and crew, as a question-and answer session was held afterwards.

The film was enjoyable, beautifully shot and edited, and featured believable performances. While a faith-based film, it wasn't heavy-handed and dealt with situations that resonate with everyone.

Anyone struggling with pregnancy, faith, adoption or persecution are likely familiar with the themes explored in this film. It's characters are relatable, and the main stories touch on some uncomfortable situations many people face. With both light-hearted and dramatic touches, it's no surprise that there was ample applause once the credits rolled.

I laughed, I cried. But really, this movie hits home a point against being driven by a judgemental spirit. We need more love and grace in this world! "THE CHURCH" is called to be salt and light to the world that we live in. I believe that means that we should, show them the way to Christ and help make the bitter circumstances of life a little easier to swollow.

I love the message promoting adoption and fostering, as well as the warning to each of us as we reach out to people in our everyday circle of influence. We have no idea what people are going through from day to day. What a great lesson and reminder for each of us!