film review: God bless the Broken Road

"God Bless the Broken Road,” directed by Harold Cronk (“God’s Not Dead”) is based, in part, on the 2004 Rascal Flatts hit “Bless the Broken Road.” It's a mixture of country music, NASCAR, the war in Afghanistan, tribute to the military, and faith. 

There are lots of positive elements around the community (both church, military, and other friends). Although at other times, that same community seems judgmental, and offers support that seems shallow. My sense is that while trying to portray the complexities of a life broken by pain, Cronk has tried to add too many things into the storyline, that just don't fit within the limited time frame.

The film does an excellent job of depicting the struggles of a woman who feels as if she's lost everything, despite her having put her trust in God. The scenes of Amber's deep disorientation after her husband's tragic death, the lose of her home, her daughter turning her back on her, realistically explores the gritty, grief-filled aftermath of terrible loss.

The film, is at times, a little melodramatic, a little too pro-military for my liking, but it suits the setting (Kentucky).

Here is the trailer

review based on an advanced on-line screening
via Nuts About Books