The Shack – Budget of $20 million – 2 hours and 12 minutes

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After an abusive childhood, Mac Phillips is raising 3 children with his wife, Nan.  His children (Kate, Josh, and Missy) are being raised in a loving home and Nan is the driving force behind the family’s faith.  Nan calls God Papa when she talks to him and teaches her kids to do the same.  Although Mac’s is not as devout as Nan, he attends church with them.  One day, Mac takes his children on a camping trip and has a great night under the stars.  After watching Kate cause a boating accident, capsizing the boat, Mac jumps in the water to save his son.  Once his son is breathing, instant relief is turned into instant panic when he realizes his young daughter, Missy, is missing.  After a long search, only her red dress and blood stains are found in a shack.  The Phillips family buries an empty casket.  Four years later, Mac and Kate are both drowning in grief while Nan and Josh try to keep the family together.  Then, after a snow storm, a letter appears in Mac’s mailbox telling him to come to the shack for the weekend; and it’s signed Papa.  Mac can’t believe it, but once he realizes there were no footprints in the snow, he heads to the one place that is the sources of his pain: the shack.  Mac will endure hope, love, pain, and anger over 2 days with the people he questions the most about is daughter’s murder.

Wow.  This is a true tear jerker.  If you see this movie, come with an open mind and Kleenex.  Based on the book, The Shack by William P. Young, this story covers grief, forgiveness, faith, religion, judgment, hope, and love (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  You will question your own thoughts and beliefs about the topic; you should discuss them after taking a long deep breath.  The cinematography was beautiful as they walked into Mac’s mind and gave Mac the ability to see the world as they do.  Some moments in the book were taken directly out of the Bible (some are more noticeable than others), but don’t take this movie as a Christian movie.  It’s just a good movie that talks about tough topics.  It should definitely be watched, but if you have lost a child, it may be extremely hard for you.  Don’t be surprised if you want to read the book after watching this film.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars

If God is always with us, why does he care if we are late to church – Missy

God cares because mom cares – Nan

She ask good questions doesn’t she – Kate

You lead me here. Now you don’t have the guts to show. Some Papa you are – Mac

We all collect things we value, don’t we. I collect tears – Sarayu

It’s better if you do it with me – Jesus

You don’t believe God is good – Wisdom

You have no idea how much stuff I am doing right now – Papa

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