T Y – Google

Excellent and necessary at this time, when freedom of speech is shamefully under attack in higher education and the curriculum is increasingly driven by a narrow ideological agenda. Universities and colleges should be places where controversial ideas are debated, to expand young minds and inculcate respect for the Western liberal tradition. The principle of academic freedom should be upheld with conviction by academic administrators. Instead, they cave into fear of the mob, afraid of being called names. We see the rise of illiberalism and intolerance and public shaming rituals reminiscent of the Red Guard at these campuses. The film was entertaining and incisive. It was a reminder of the need to protect Enlightenment principles and the integrity of institutions of higher education at a time when they are under attack by the group-think of identity politics advanced by shrill narrow-minded and violent ideologues.

This is one of the best American Christian films, consistent with the American Christian Protestant evangelical tradition. Reminds me a lot of Highway to Heaven with Michael Landon. It's very moving, well-acted, and a good story. It had me in tears in some places and I felt joy when strands in the story were resolved. It is not without faults though: sometimes the message is too blunt in this film, the dialogue too contrived, and the conversions too easy, and the final speech too feel-good (a scriptural passage would perhaps have been more appropriate) -- but I suppose this is forgivable for the sake of the overall story. Also, there is a huge missed opportunity to explore what is revealed by Joe's NDE (sorry for the spoiler). Real people meet Jesus then come back but Joe comes back in a rather low-key way. Despite the flaws, I will see it a second time.