The problem? Bart’s just not authentic on stage. They do gigs but are never quite good enough (so say some Nashville executives). Bart later runs from his dad and joins a Christian rock band called MercyMe. The problem is, the abusive background is key to Bart’s story, so if readers don’t accept it, the problem doesn’t give the later transformation the punch it should. Bart’s real-life older brother, never depicted in the movie, could have said, “Wow, Dad did that to you?” Sometimes dialogue doesn’t convey what the viewer wishes to see to make the plot and characters plausible. Clearly the movie makers wanted to avoid showing outright abuse on camera, but they could have shown Bart taking his shirt off, revealing bruises all over his back. Though Bart’s dad is unlikable, has anger issues, doesn’t treat his son very well, and has driven Bart’s mom away, the reality of the abuse is glossed over, so later when Bart calls his dad a “monster,” it doesn’t seem quite plausible based on what we see on screen. Also, in one scene Bart’s dad breaks a plate over his adult son’s head. This detail surprised me because the abuse is never depicted on film beyond what I described. Later we hear through dialogue that Bart was once beaten so bad on his back that he had to try sleeping while lying facedown. The fist never connects to Bart’s face, but the viewer gets the picture. In one scene during an argument, Bart’s dad is on top of Bart and cocks his fist. Bart lies in bed and braces himself when his bedroom door opens and his dad stands there, belt in hand, clearly considering taking his frustrations out on little Bart. We see Bart’s dad burn Bart’s homemade helmet. Bart grew up listening to Amy Grant and other CCM artists, whose music helped him escape the reality of an abusive father. The movie explores a very familiar theme: forgiveness. This was probably an advantage because I had no idea how the story would unfold. You may even have some knowledge of Bart Millard’s story and the true events that shaped his life and inspired him to write the song “I Can Only Imagine.” Though I had heard the song, I knew nothing about Bart’s story when I watched the movie.

So far it is the best-selling single in Christian music of all time. If you’re a big fan of CCM (Contemporary Christian Music), which I’m not, you may readily recognize the song behind this movie. By Adam Blumer SeptemMovies, Music, Reviews 1 Comment

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