Twist of Fate

I found this film to be exceptionally moving. I was loath to watch it, at first, as the brief description suggested that it might be emotionally disturbing to me in a way I do not like, with human tragedy at the basis of the story. However, I soon changed my mind, and have now watched most of it almost three times.

It is a human story set in a religious environment. It shows the true meaning of Christianity while dealing with human emotions in a most tender and loving way. Toni Braxton played her role most well and with feeling, once she began to recognize that Jacab was not only a gentle man, but also was deeply religious. I found there to be no conflict between the very different religious backgrounds of these two people, who were drawn closer together by the commonality of their religious beliefs and feelings.

I was moved to tears on several occasions, and there are few movies that do that to me. The acting is good and the story, excellent. I found two of the reviews somewhat short-sighted as to the meaning of the Christian spirit, and they clearly did not see as much humanity or the meaning of Christianity in it, as I did.

In small-town Brent, Alabama, single singer-teacher Toni Braxton (as Nina Yarber) devotes time to her young son and the church, where she sings gospel music. Friends attempt to play matchmaker, but Ms. Braxton resists. Meanwhile, in big-city Brooklyn, New York, devout Jewish musician David Julian Hirsh (as Jacob Fisher) witnesses a horrific bus massacre. After the tragedy, Mr. Hirsh moves to Alabama and meets Braxton. At first, she is unimpressed with his shabby, homeless appearance...

Hirsh is secretive about his background. He begins working as a handyman for Braxton and the church. He also loves music, just like Braxton. Hirsh teaches Braxton's son Nathaniel James Potvin (as Asher "Ash" Jones) to play basketball and a father-son relationship develops. Hmmm... Braxton's rabbit-hunting uncle Mykelti Williamson (as Moe) approves. You'll have to see if Braxton and Hirsh hook up, and how his past threatens the possibility. "Twist of Faith" is a mostly Christian TV-movie, with good music.

***** Twist of Faith (2/9/13) Paul A. Kaufman ~ Toni Braxton, David Julian Hirsh, Mykelti Williamson, Nathaniel J. Potvin

I was unaware of Toni Braxton's immense likability. I have known about her, of course, for years but had never seen anything with her in it. In fact, I hope I don't offend in saying that, given her slightly arched nose and those pipes, this movie was a revelation for me in that I saw her as a possible heiress to the throne of Barbra.

This might be appropriate in that the story in Twist of Faith involves a young Jewish man who finds solace in a Southern black church. He has a past ... a very grave past. It is his history that makes for me a romance between him and the young mother played by Braxton stretch credulity and propriety.

Braxton's character matches the handsome newcomer in mystery ... but he eventually gets her secret out of her. I don't recall that during the movie anyone ever hears what his is, although we, the audience know, so that's fair ... no doubt the congregation will eventually find out; perhaps there is no rush. And therein lies a beautiful leap of faith. I recall thinking, though, as the uncle, played by Mykelti Williamson whom we all remember and love from Forest Gump .. he was Bubba, takes the newcomer rabbit hunting that, in another film in which the young man was actually trouble, this would have been a very tense moment. Music would have mounted telling us the uncle was in danger especially when he handed the newcomer the gun. By the way, no rabbits were hurt in the making of this film I'm sure, although what follows seems lifted from Winter's Bone, a fabulous Jennifer Lawrence vehicle and the scene for me that made an indelible imprint on the American consciousness. That movie is the one that made Lawrence a star, in my view, not The Hunger Games, although it is probably what got her the part in Hunger Games.

But I digress.

I know the main characters are in their early 30's or so and both extremely attractive, and I know the Jewish mother in the story absolves anyone of guilt, but if you're like me you will find what seems to be the timeline in this story way too accelerated. Maybe the way things turned out are what the main male character needed, I'll give it that, so I guess I can rethink the movie and perhaps watch it again; the acting, production values, direction and title were all wonderful. But in my world the possibilities for the young man and woman should have taken about five years to reach develop.

So brace yourself. The story is indeed romantic. You might just not be ready for it either.

Toni braxton is beautiful talented.this movie is so inspirational.

Lot of lessons to learn by kids they are so smart.

The music is beautiful.

Feel so sorry for the jewish man.

I saw this once, told my wife about it, and together we watched it two more times. There were times that we were close to tears. We are Jewish, and I must say up front that the Jewish aspect of this is handled vaguely, though respectfully. If that were all there was to this movie, we might not have finished it once. But there was, in addition, the story of two people damaged by life but who are drawn together by the highest, most refined values. I know that sounds preachy, but it doesn't come out that way. The principals,Toni Braxton & Julian Hirsh, in fact every actor actor played with simple truth. My wife and I believe that the one of the highest purposes in life is to make the unseen visible, and that is what this movie does.