Premarital

Thank you Level 33 Entertainment for providing us with a screener to review!

Premarital was released in the theaters in April and is now available to watch on demand. The movie begins with Pastor Whitaker setting up for a Sunday service at a small Bible-believing church. It's honestly the type of place I would consider worshipping at if I was traveling and away from my home church. Meanwhile, his daughter Sophie is coaching her fiancé, Alan, on what to and not to bring up in front of her father. Alan is an atheist pro-evolution biologist and it's implied that they have been having sex outside of marriage.

Due to their flight being delayed, Sophie and Alan didn't make it to Sunday service, but they were able to attend dinner. After some awkward conversation attempts, Pastor Whitaker asks Alan to say grace. Being true to himself and not wanting to give the wrong impression, he reveals that he is not a believer. After learning this, Pastor Whitaker makes it his goal to convert Alan to Christianity before his wedding which is less than a week away.

From this moment onward this film pokes fun at Christianity by exposing the Whitaker family as a bunch of gun-loving hypocrites. The most honorable character is Alan as the pastor uses bribes and coercion in order to convert him.

In order to discuss the hypocrisy, I'm going to have to spoil the movie a bit so please continue reading with caution.

While I am by no means perfect and have marital tiffs, I am saddened to see how Christians are portrayed in this film. I know I can do better. If I get anything out of this one hour and thirty-three-minute film, it's to live a Godlier life and not a backslidden one. All in all, I didn't find this movie to be very funny. I'm sure many Christians (gun toting or not!) will find it stereotypical and offensive.