I Still Believe [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD]

Director: Jon Erwin, Andrew Erwin Jon Erwin

Overview

Unsurprising and emotional, I Still Believe is a weepie film at its core. The overdramatic camera movements, overexaggerated plot and oversentimental music reveal a true story trying too hard. Solid lead performances soften those mechanisms but not by much. The film, directed by the Erwin Brothers (Andrew and Jon) and written by Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn, is based on the real-life experiences of Christian rock singer Jeremy Camp as detailed in his book of the same name. Broadly, it's a story about love and faith. Jeremy (K.J. Apa) meets Melissa (Britt Robertson) in their early college days, but both are tested spiritually and emotionally when she is diagnosed with cancer. I Still Believe prefers a general emotional sweep over a deep dive. It spends a reckless amount of time within the first two acts on fluff scenes. We witness their meet-cute, their montage of holding hands, and the subplot of a nemesis that's an all-around swell guy. The plot holes and lack of straightforward timeline are even more so glaring. How does Jeremy make the leap from an essential unknown to a performer in sold-out shows? There's no exact moment to point to; it just happens. This is also the case at the start of the film, with Jeremy as a freshman in college, and then somehow, he's in his 20s in the blink of an eye. Moreover, the story determines to only engage their romance in a general faith-based understanding. As a result, it collapses into melodramatic declarations as opposed to real-life moments. Their first date conversation is one example. Melissa says, "The God of a trillion stars knows my name," and Jeremy is entranced. This histrionic corniness frequently becomes laughable. The film edifies the dramatic tone in all other aspects as well. There is an over-the-top, slow-motion eye contact when Jeremy and Melissa first meet. The continuous tracking and crane shots in almost every scene becomes a means to sweep the audience through a whirlwind romance. Even performances of Jeremy's original songs such as "I Still Believe" and "Walk by Faith" are utilized as soaring emotional placeholders as opposed to real conversations. However, it's applaudable how I Still Believe still manages to convey the full emotional turmoil of cancer, and how faith in God can play a role. Robertson's unshakable performance is as raw as it can get in a weepie film. Prior to this role, she's primarily been typecast in the teen arena but her turn as Melissa is proof-positive that she has acting chops beyond her resum?. Star of the CW teen melodrama Riverdale, Apa is also from a similar background. And though he doesn't convey "the look" as a romantic lead as well as he does in the television drama (probably due to broad writing), he plays a flawless heartbroken wretch that finds grace. When you aim high, some apples are bound to shake loose. I Still Believe shakes loose some great performances and a general appreciation for the vast craziness of life. But the stakes of this real-life story are, regrettably, pushed over the edge.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/05/2020
UPC:	0031398318743
Original Release:	2020
Rating:	PG
Source:	LIONS GATE
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:56:00

Special Features

Audio Commentary with Director Andy Erwin & Writer-Director Jon Erwin; Featurettes: Origin, Casting, Music, Bart & Jeremy; Deleted Scenes

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Britt Robertson	Melissa Henning
K.J. Apa	Jeremy Camp
Melissa Roxburgh	Gary Sinise
Gary Sinise	Abigail Cowen
Abigail Cowen	Adrienne Camp
Nathan Parsons	Shania Twain
Shania Twain	Terry Camp
Reuben Dodd	Josh Camp
Cameron Arnett	Dr. Furst
Tanya Christiansen	Janette Henning
Nicolas Bechtel	Gregory Hobson
Gregory Hobson	Himself
Sheé Dueitt	Discharge Nurse Pundt
Nicholas G. Sims	College Student (as Nicholas Sims)
Alyssa Gonzalez	Orientation Guide
Vanessa Padla	College Mom
Tera Smith	Concert Attendee,Tattooed Guard,Concert Fan
Hali Everette	Megan Henning
Griffin Hood	Guard
Katie Anne Moy	Jacqueline
Sharonne Lanier	Nurse
Sahjanan Nasser	Maria
Rebecca Chulew	Funeral Attendee
Jason Gaines	Stage Crew (Guitar Tech)
Lisa VanAmburg	Nurse
Brittney Tamberg	Personal Assistant
Chris Angerdina	Stage Hand
Douglas DeLisle	Hospital Patient
Patricia Marion	B. Ford
Steven Laney	Guitarist
Rhonda Huete	Frazzled Receptionist
Jubilee Lampron	Concert Attendee
Jonathan Cascio	Concert Attendee & Wedding Guest
Rhyland Richards	Carnival & concert attendee
Bennett Wayne Dean Sr.	Hospital Visitor (uncredited)
Terry Serpico	Actor
KJ Apa	Jeremy Camp
Denise Morris	Concert Fan
Liam Kelly	Ryan
Nathan Dean	Actor
John Debney	Composer

Technical Credits

Jon Gunn

Jon Erwin

Jon Gunn	Screenwriter,Executive Producer
D. Scott Lumpkin	Executive Producer
Kevin Downes	Producer
Jon Erwin	Director,Director,Screenwriter,Producer,Executive Producer
Taylor Kalupa	Casting
Beverly Holloway	Casting
Brett Murray	Sound Mixer
Tiffany Feese	Casting
Jeremy Camp	Executive Producer
Matt Balm	Executive Producer
Bart Millard	Executive Producer
Tony Young	Executive Producer