Fireproof – DVD Review

By June L. Jan 30, 2009, 14:08 GMT

Lt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter\'s adage: Never leave your partner behind. Inside burning buildings, it\'s his natural instinct. In the cooling embers of his marriage, it\'s another story. After a decade of marriage, Caleb and Catherine Holt have drifted so far apart that they are ready to move on without each other. \' Yet as they prepare to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb\'s dad asks his son to try ...more

I heard about this movie long before I ever had a chance to actually see it.  People were coming up to me telling me this was the best film they had seen in a long time and that it had so many messages on such different levels that it was immensely satisfying and the type of story they could watch time and time again. 

With all that build up, I was understandably wary.  How often do you like, much less love what all the office gang adores?  Or even find remotely attractive what your friends think is top notch.  You may share interests, but we are all so different, it is difficult to find something universally beloved, not to mention appealing entertainment.

All that said, I saw Fireproof and I was pleasantly surprised.  My office mates and friends were right, it is a good movie.  Perhaps it isn’t the greatest or the best movie ever, but it is good, and has some very funny moments, as well as some intensely serious elements. 

The story is about Caleb a firefighter and his wife Cat a hospital administrator and the deterioration of their marriage.  At first I was cringing at the arguments that developed between these two.  How could they be fighting, when youth, looks and money didn’t seem to be issues? 

They seemed so self-obsessed and demanding, whining about unfairness and unwilling to share anything.  Most of all they were totally absorbed in the argument of who was to get the most respect in the marriage.  Neither deserved any in my mind.  And then I realized, this scenario was uncomfortable because it is realistic. 

We become so accustomed to seeing the worst case or the best case in films, that something which actually happens looked somewhat flat and silly.  We are flat and silly when we argue what we think is our worth and due with those nearest and dearest to us, and that is what this movie reveals. 

Throughout the story there are elements of faith and belief that the characters encounter, and these help them to discover how they are missing the point in their lives.  The deciding moment comes halfway through the film as a turning point, rather than ending the film.

This changes the pattern of a religious decision as the answer to making everyone live “happily after ever” as the young Cat says in the films opening sequence.  By showing what happens after the deciding moment, we see it takes more than just that to change lives.  Making the change takes work and commitment, and the film does service to that idea.

Kirk Cameron stars as Caleb, and does a good job playing the often clueless and therefore angry husband.  Cat (played by Erin Bethea) feels she is having to do everything with both an outside job and Caleb’s expectations for her to be a homemaker as well. 

Neither will unbend enough to lend the other a hand, much less an understanding ear until Caleb’s father gives his son some advice.  How wonderful if we all could have such loving, caring families to step in with wisdom when we are about to make huge life-changing mistakes.

Fireproof is presented on single disc in widescreen format.  The playing time is 118 minutes.  The feature is rated PG for thematic material and for some intense scenes of danger.  The special features included on the disc are a commentary with the writers, directors and producers of the film Alex and Stephen Kendrick.

There is a blooper reel “Fireproofs jokes and pranks,” a featurette “Fireproof: Behind the scenes” another special “Marriage Matters” which discusses the elements that led to the creation of this film.  In addition there are deleted scenes, “Wayne on Wayne Interview,” “ Fireproof in 60 Seconds,” “Fireproof resources” and  “The Love Dare” promo.  For those who loved the film, this is a treasure of additional information and inspiration. 

Fireproof is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.