“Bart you didn’t write this song in ten minutes—took a lifetime.”

Synopsis: Based on the true story behind the amazing Christian Song of the same name, I Can Only Imagine is about Bart Millard’s fractured life with his mother and abusive father in Greenville, Texas.

Imagine coming home to find your mother driving away in a moving truck you chase after screaming for her not to leave but she just keeps going leaving you there with an abusive father who takes his anger out on you because he feels as though he was a failure in life. Can you imagine?

This was Bart Miller’s (John Michael Finley), lot in life. Although in an abusive home, his mother never failed to take him to church making sure he had a good basic Christian foundation. She took him to Christian Camp and there an 11-year-old Bart met and forged a friendship with Shannon (Madeline Carroll). When he returned home from camp his mother was gone because she could no longer take the abuse. And his father Arthur (Dennis Quaid) told him when Bart asked him what happened—“She don’t want me no more and she don’t want you either.” But amidst this agony, Bart had an imagination and his father was always trying to deter him from his dreams simply because his father never saw his destiny fulfilled. Yet Bart would find other means to help him deal with the negative talk his father would spew at him by listening to music which helped him escape the madness at home. He always loved music and he held on to some songs that gave him hope because he needed it.

He tried to please his father by following in his footsteps and playing football but the injuries took a toll on him to where he could no longer play. The only option he had left in school, was music as an elective. His music instructor heard him singing one day while he was fixing the PA system and enlisted him to sing the lead in Oklahoma. He was phenomenal, but his dad told him he couldn’t do that either. He told his father he could do it but again his father told him “No you can’t! And you’re going to blink your eyes and you’re going to realize that life has gotten you nowhere because you chased some stupid dream!”

Well, Bart didn’t listen to his father, he left Shannon and Greenville, Texas—went to the big city to chase his dream where he formed a band and finally got a manager. Yes, he and his band were good, but weren’t good enough to get a record deal. His manager told him the songs were good but something was holding Bart back. He asked him what he was running from—Bart told him, he was running from his dad. His manager told him to write about it.

Will Bart see Shannon again? Will he ever mend fences with his father? Will he and his band ever get that record deal? You will just have to watch the movie to see?

I Can Only Imagine was released in 2018. Is rated PG. Is 1hr 50min and can be seen on Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and YouTube for $3.99. Can also be seen on Google Play Movie for $3.79 and on Netflix.

Directors: Andrew Erwin, and Jon Erwin.
Writers: Bart Millard, Jon Erwin, and Brent McCorkle.

Stars: John Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll. and Dennis Quaid.

We give I Can Only Imagine

This was a well-written script. Veteran actor Dennis Quad played a very powerful and convincing role as did John Michael Finley. I’ve seen this film more than once. The writer’s message about forgiveness and redemption is evident in this film hands down. With the Dove seal of approval for all ages, this is a good family film for any audience. There are some very good life lessons in this film. The one I got was you are never too far from the hand of God that he can’t bring you back. And please don’t forget your box of Kleenex!

© Rhema International 2024. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission, from this blog’s author and/or owner, is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Rhema International.