A Tearjerker Faith-based Romantic Tragedy,
‘I Still Believe’: Movie Review
How far would your faith go? Would you still believe even when things aren’t fall the
way you wanted to be? Would you still believe despite of the difficulty and tragedy striking?
This thought-evoking questions was not even a surprise made the target audience emotionally
hooked and deeply impact with this based on the real-life tragic scenario of a Christian
singer-songwriter, Jeremy Camp.
The initial release of this 116 minute-movie “I Still Believe” was on 7 th of March last
year but it was theatrically release in the United States of America (USA) on 13 th of March.
KJ Apa as Jeremy Camp and Britt Robertson as Melissa Lynn Henning-Camp starred the
sentimental drama along with other cast such as Nathan Parson (Jean-Luc Loajie), Shania
Twain (Teri Camp), Gary Sinise (Tom Camp), Reuben Dodd (Josh), Melissa Roxburgh
(Heather Henning), Abigail Cowen (Adrriene Camp). Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin known
as Erwin brothers directed this love and loss movie together with the Lionsgate as the
distributor and Kingdom Story Company as the production company. An estimated of
$12,000,000 or $12 million filming budget was allocated for the release of the movie.
The story of the movie was inspired by the true-to-life journey of love and grief of
Jeremy Camp as his first wife (Melissa) was diagnosed by an ovarian cancer shortly after
their marriage. Jeremy decided to move to Southern California from Indiana leaving his
supportive family (Gary Sinise, Shania Twain and his mentally challenged younger brother,
Robert Dodd) to pursue his college studies at a Christian school.
Almost immediately upon arriving, Jeremy met his Christian rock star idol (Nathan
Parsons) who by chance ask him to help out with his campus concert. Jeremy with his innate
gift and talent in music was showcased when he was given an opportunity to perform in a
crowd and spots his love-at-the-first-sight sweetheart, (Melissa) standing in the audience
stage. After the powerful performance, Jeremy never hesitates to introduce himself to Melissa
without knowing that it has a close if not complicated relationship with Jean-Luc (Nathan
Parsons).
Jeremy continues to pursue the heart of Melissa with his hope that it is God who
destined them to be together. It was one of the compelling scene when Melissa proclaims that
“God of trillion stars knows my name” at the planetarium where they are observing a display.
Exchanging of arguments made more romantic as the cinematography by Kristopher Sean
Kimlin gorgeously glow.
However, the real emotional depth took place when their romance was revealed to
Jean-Luc and found out that Melissa had a stage-3 ovarian cancer. The process of surgeries
and chemotherapies add to the momentarily hurting state of the couple. Despite those
sufferings and unprecedented circumstances in their relationship, Jeremy managed to be
successful in his career in music. It also gives him an avenue to ask for prayers from his fans
and audiences. Melissa then was becoming an exemplary of her faith that she would be
healed by an omnipotent God.
Miraculous healing seems to exist when Melissa was discharged from the hospital
where she was confined. Jeremy amidst his teen years asked Melissa for a wedding proposal
and their beach wedding was presided over by his father, a former pastor. Unfortunately, their
union and happiness proves for a short-term. A tragedy strikes again, Melissa, from their
honeymoon had to rushed to the hospital for her continuous bleeding and unwanted
symptoms of illness.
The overall plot was extremely full of drama that evokes sadness and sympathy. The
lightning, camera shots, costumes, scenes, tone and mood was beautifully set to contribute in
the portrayal of this tearjerker movie. Moreover, the content somehow intertwined to the
novels of Nicholas Sparks such as “The Notebook”, “A Walk to Remember” and other
related romance drama movies like “Midnight Sun” and “Five Feet Apart.”
In my own point of view, I commend this movie for revealing a faith that can actually
move mountains. It really proves that love hopes and believes for the impossible. From the
story, Melissa’s immovable faith can be evident throughout the end of her breath. This faith
is what we all need—believing for the unseen and submitting to the will of the Supreme
Being. Suffering and pain never really destroy faith instead it refines it. It is actually during
our heartbreaking moment when our faith will be tested and proven.
Just like in the movie, Jeremy’s faith was tested when he goes through deep valleys
but as a result, he was able to overcome those when he asked God for answers and purposes
of his pain. Sometimes, we neglect to see the beauty behind our sufferings because we are
more focused on the pain instead of dwelling to God and relying on His plan to our life.
Following the breakthrough success of the Erwin Brothers in their film way back
2018 “I Can Only Imagine” which hit a grossing of $83 million, this inspirational drama was
then again successful in their purpose of bringing a movie that tears will be jerked and dying
hopes will be ignited. They excellently portray a movie between faith and doubt, fear and
love and heartbreak and hope.
