I Can Only Imagine (2018) [Movie Review]

Dir: the Erwin Brothers

Starring: J. Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll

Dur: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Biographical Drama
Rating: 8/10

I watched a lot of this film with tears in my eyes. It traces out the real story behind the titular hit song ‘I Can Only Imagine’. The film is the fruit of life and music. It expertly depicts how music is drawn from life and life experiences and how it has the power to influence and inspire the very life that gave it birth.

Bart Millard’s story is relatable and touching. His family was broken through and through. My father wasn’t half as nasty and Bart’s but I could empathize with him. Bart’s father was a terror. He abused Bart and his mother on a regular basis. He was full of dashed dreams and bitter memories. He allowed them to take control of his life and destroy him from within. The emptiness he felt within translated into nastiness and violence towards his wife and son. Bart’s mother was sweet, loving and supportive of his dreams but couldn’t find the courage to face her situation. At the first opportunity, she sent Bart away for a Church camp so as not to break his heart as she left the abusive home, leaving Bart to fend for himself with his father who spared no effort to torment Bart.

We are fastforwarded to his college years when Bart dated the love of his life, Shannon who he encountered at Church camp (remember?) and when he tried to do the one thing that would make his father accept him – football. But his dreams were cut short when he sustained a painful injury. While it seemed that life had pushed him down yet again, Bart was discovered as a singer by his drama teacher and went on to hone his skill. At this point, he faced a dream that nearly every ‘hero’ faces: choosing between his dream and the girl of his dreams and like most heroes he chose his dream!

Life goes on until the moment when his band, MercyMe, face rejection from record labels and he is once again on the brink. He is cajoled by his manager to dig deep, face his demons and come up with something special. Bart takes the suggestion to heart and embarks on a life-changing process of healing and reconciliation which is the most tear-jerking and soulful part of the film. The culmination of this whole experience is the song ‘I Can Only Imagine’ which goes on to tumble records and launch MercyMe into the music arena.

The film is extremely well written. The actors do a fine job particularly Madeline, who plays Bart’s devoted girlfriend, Shannon and Dennis Quaid who plays Bart’s father. Frankly, the latter is my pick for the best actor of this film. The music scores fit in perfectly with the narration and the emotion of the scenes. There are a few things that betray a not-so-highly-professional approach but they don’t do major damage to the film, overall.

This is a film not so much about Bart and how he came to write this chart-topper, but about Jesus, even though he doesn’t figure once and is hardly mentioned. It is a story of what the love and mercy of God can do to a person who is willing to let go and let God. It is a story of family life, what it is and what it ought to be. It encourages dreams, love and friendship, and above all forgiveness. It is imbued with Christian spirit but holds universal appeal and significance. I would encourage everybody who can get their hands on it, to watch it. It is powerful as much as it is dramatic. It could be the hope or inspiration you are looking for. It could turn out to be the light in the darkness, the way in your madness and the sunshine in your rain. 

Link to the Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsMyv9Q4_OU