I Still Believe (2020) Movie ft. Nathan, K.J., and Britt
I Still Believe emerges as a significant entry in the Christian film genre, bringing to the screen the real-life love story of contemporary Christian music star Jeremy Camp and his first wife, Melissa Lynn Henning-Camp. Directed by the accomplished Erwin Brothers (Andrew and Jon Erwin), known for their previous success with I Can Only Imagine.
Released on March 13, 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the entertainment landscape, the film represents a milestone as the first faith-based movie to receive an IMAX release. Based on Jeremy Camp’s autobiography of the same name, the story chronicles a profound journey of love, loss, and unwavering faith that would ultimately inspire one of Christian music’s most beloved songs.
A Journey Through Love and Loss
The story begins in 1999 when Jeremy Camp, a young man from Lafayette, Indiana, arrives at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, California, with dreams of making it in Christian music. During a concert featuring the Canadian Christian band The Kry, Jeremy encounters both his musical idol Jean-Luc LaJoie (Nathan Parsons) and the woman who would change his life forever , Melissa Henning.
What starts as love at first sight becomes complicated by a love triangle, as Jean-Luc harbors romantic feelings for Melissa that she doesn’t reciprocate. The initial romance unfolds with the typical beats of a faith-based romantic drama , awkward introductions, spiritual connections, and the belief that their meeting was divinely orchestrated.
However, the story takes a devastating turn when Melissa is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Rather than retreating from the relationship, Jeremy proposes, and the couple marries despite her terminal diagnosis. The film follows their brief but intense marriage as they navigate the challenges of cancer treatment, moments of hope during remission, and ultimately the heartbreaking reality of Melissa’s declining health.
Cast Performances That Touch the Heart
KJ Apa delivers a committed performance as Jeremy Camp, showcasing not only his acting abilities but also his musical talents by performing his own renditions of Camp’s songs including I Still Believe, Walk by Faith, and This Man. Apa brings earnestness and vulnerability to the role, particularly in scenes where Jeremy grapples with doubt and grief.
Britt Robertson’s portrayal of Melissa stands as the film’s emotional anchor. She navigates the complex task of depicting a real person’s journey through terminal illness with grace and authenticity. Robertson successfully avoids the trap of making Melissa merely a tragic figure, instead presenting her as a fully realized person with dreams, fears, and an unshakeable faith.
Gary Sinise, though underutilized in terms of screen time, brings his characteristic gravitas to the role of Jeremy’s father, Tom Camp. His most powerful scene comes when a grief-stricken Jeremy seeks his father’s help in making sense of tragedy. Shania Twain, in a smaller role as Jeremy’s mother, brings warmth and authenticity to her scenes.
What Works in This Faith-Based Drama
The film succeeds most notably in its portrayal of faith under pressure. Unlike many Christian films that present faith as a simple solution to life’s problems, I Still Believe wrestles with the difficult question of why God allows suffering. The screenplay doesn’t shy away from showing Jeremy’s moments of doubt and anger, making his ultimate reaffirmation of faith feel earned rather than predetermined.
The musical elements of the film serve as genuine highlights. John Debney’s score, combined with Apa’s performances of Jeremy Camp’s songs, creates an authentic soundtrack that enhances rather than overwhelms the narrative. The music feels organic to the story, particularly during concert scenes that showcase the power of faith-based music to unite and inspire communities.
Cinematographer Kristopher Kimlin deserves special recognition for creating visually stunning imagery throughout the film. The California settings are captured with a warmth and beauty that critics dubbed a God filter , scenes are consistently bathed in golden light that creates an almost ethereal quality.
I found the film’s restraint in handling the religious aspects particularly effective. While faith is central to the story, the Erwin Brothers avoid heavy-handed preaching, instead allowing the characters’ actions and choices to speak for themselves.
Areas That Could Be Better
Despite its strengths, I Still Believe suffers from pacing issues that make its nearly two-hour runtime feel longer than necessary. The film takes considerable time to establish the central relationship, and while this allows for character development, it also creates stretches where the narrative momentum stalls.
The dialogue occasionally falls into clichéd territory, particularly during romantic scenes that rely on familiar faith-based film tropes. Some dramatic moments feel overwrought, bordering on melodrama that undermines the genuine emotion the film is trying to convey.
The first half of the film struggles with tonal consistency, featuring moments that feel more appropriate for a lighter romantic comedy than a serious biographical drama. Critics noted that there’s a scene involving a broken jar of pickles where the film began to find its emotional footing.
Critical Reception and Ratings
Professional critics offered mixed responses to I Still Believe. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 50% based on 48 reviews, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The site’s critics consensus reads that the film’s palpable good intentions are offset by its predictable handling of a fact-based story that ends up preaching to the choir.
On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 41 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating mixed or average reviews. However, audience reception was notably more positive. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of A on an A+ to F scale, and PostTrak reported it received an average 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood offered a favorable review, noting that the film doesn’t rewrite any of the rules of this genre, but it does ask the right questions of faith in light of unimaginable tragedy without trying to sugarcoat them. Variety’s Joe Leydon praised the performances and direction, comparing the emotional impact to classic tearjerkers.
Public reviews on platforms like IMDb revealed a passionate fanbase, with many viewers rating the film 7.5/10 or higher and describing it as emotionally transformative. Several reviewers noted that they were not typically fans of faith-based films but found themselves moved by the authentic performances.
Direction and Technical Excellence
The Erwin Brothers demonstrate growth as filmmakers with I Still Believe, showing improved technical proficiency compared to their earlier works. Their direction maintains focus on the human story rather than getting lost in religious messaging, a balance that serves the film well.
The film’s production design effectively recreates the late 1990s and early 2000s setting without being distracting or overly nostalgic. Sound design and mixing deserve recognition for seamlessly blending dialogue, music, and ambient sound to create an immersive experience.
Musical Elements That Shine
Music plays a crucial role in I Still Believe, serving both as plot device and emotional enhancement. KJ Apa’s vocal performances of Jeremy Camp’s songs demonstrate his musical abilities while maintaining the authenticity necessary for a biographical portrayal. The decision to have Apa perform his own vocals rather than lip-sync adds genuineness to the musical sequences.
John Debney’s orchestral score provides emotional support without overwhelming the intimate moments between characters. His experience with faith-based films, including The Passion of the Christ, serves the project well as he understands how to enhance spiritual themes through music.
The original motion picture soundtrack, released by Capitol Records, includes both Debney’s score and musical performances from the film, as well as new versions of key songs performed by Jeremy Camp himself.
Cultural Impact and Significance
I Still Believe represents an important entry in the evolving landscape of faith-based cinema. The film demonstrates that Christian movies can achieve higher production values and broader appeal without compromising their spiritual message. Its IMAX release marked a significant milestone for the genre.
The story’s focus on suffering and faith resonates beyond religious audiences, touching on universal themes of love, loss, and finding meaning in tragedy. The film’s release during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people were grappling with uncertainty and loss, gave its message of hope particular relevance.
My Final Take
I Still Believe succeeds as an emotionally engaging biographical drama that treats its subject matter with respect and genuine care. While it doesn’t revolutionize the faith-based film genre, it represents solid craftsmanship and sincere storytelling that elevates it above many entries in this category.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its authentic portrayal of love tested by tragedy and faith refined by suffering. The movie works best when it focuses on the relationship between Jeremy and Melissa, allowing their love story to unfold naturally without forcing spiritual lessons.
Viewers seeking a tear-jerking romance with strong Christian themes will find much to appreciate, while those looking for innovative storytelling or complex character development may find the film predictable. Despite its flaws in pacing and occasional lapses into melodrama, I Still Believe delivers on its promise to tell a story of enduring faith in the face of unimaginable loss.
The film serves its intended audience well while offering enough technical proficiency and emotional authenticity to engage broader viewers who might not typically choose faith-based entertainment. I found myself moved by the genuine performances and the respectful handling of such a personal story.
Rating: 3.5/5
