Believe (I) (2016) User Reviews

Hard to take

[rugle1 · 6/10 · 18 December 2020]

The kid was a little tough to take; was tempted to fast-forward through the scenes, he was on the screen.

Wonderful motive, Woeful premise.

[DonandLiG · 5/10 · 27 December 2020]

It seems Matthew's family left a trust fund to pay for a annual Christmas pageant. He also owns a financially struggling manufacturing business. The trust fund had expended all the money for the Christmas pageants so Matt goes to the town council meeting to explain the dilemma. The mayor and town council blame him for the fund being exhausted. Apparently, they think it's Matt's responsibility to harvest a magical money tree to replenish the trust fund. As his business is unable to afford to keep all his employees on full time pay, they go on strike, apparently assuming the union can sustain strike pay. The details are in the movie.

Uneven script, unrealized plot, unbelievable characters

[redleader55 · 3/10 · 17 December 2018]

I'm not motivated to review many movies, but here a good premise frustrated and disappointed me. I wanted to like this movie, but in the end it was undone by an uneven script, unrealized plot, and unbelievable characters. I even like Christian movies when done well, but unlike other reviewers I don't believe that factor alone merits a blind 10 stars.

The film begins with a confusing flash-forward, necessary apparently to get you to develop sympathy for the protagonist. He is a poor business owner who, like Job, is saddled with one adversity after another. You're sympathetic for him at first, but he's appears hapless and directionless for 90% of the movie.

He befriends a woman whose son seems to have ADHD on overdrive, so energetic as to be irritating and a distraction. For some reason he's attracted to this kid and his mother, although there is about 2% on-screen chemistry between them.

I kept waiting for this movie to realize it's potential. For example, there's a bar scene where the conspirators' scheming is obviously overheard by an individual nearby, but nothing comes of it. You think the new woman friend with her accounting skills will unwind the plot against him. But she mysteriously can't find anything wrong. The mayor talks conspiratoratorily with an antagonist, but you're never sure which side he is on. The protagonist captures some thugs on his phone outside a bar walking, which proves... what? Job - I mean the factory owner - gets hold of a bunch of random transactions, which are evidence of something nefarious, but never revealed.

The director could have done a much better job with the script.

What did I just watch?

[MissAnnThrope · 3/10 · 20 December 2018]

I guess if you love conspiracy theories, this is the movie for you. A businessman who can barely tie his shoes by himself is informed by his accountant that the business is going under, in spite of production and sales being up. The accountant is also pressuring this guy to sell the business to a (gasp) foreign company! But does it occur to this guy that his accountant is cooking books or up to anything else shady? Oh, of course not. So our inept businessman becomes the number one enemy in town for cancelling a Christmas pageant his company sponsors and because of the accountant robbing him blind, his employees go on strike, due to being asked to take a pay cut. Our moron hero gets himself beaten up, ends up being saved by a poor black kid and his mother, because what is a movie of this caliber without the Magical Negro trope? And we get two of them in this film! To teach the imbecile who can't run his factory humility and of course, to come to his rescue in many ways. The plot is incredibly improbable and as I said, this is a movie only a conspiracy theorist could love. Of course, if you're creative enough and have seen enough movies, you could turn it into a drinking game. Take a drink every time there is an overdone cliche in this movie. But you would probably end up dying from alcohol poisoning.

Poor Millionaires

[gunslinger19 · 1/10 · 11 July 2017]

Do you hate poor people? Is life too hard for millionaire's that inherited everything they have? If you think people asking to be treated fairly for the work they do and that maybe indentured servitude is a bad thing then maybe you should skip this movie. But if you are the person who believes that rich people are better than poor people and that they have more of a right to share in the prosperity of our country more than poor people do then you will love this movie.

Not sure

[wfretired · 1/10 · 4 March 2021]

I guess I just did not like the premise that peoples troubles are always someone else's fault. Since when have Americans thought that They are owed something or that charity is their right. Whole premise sadly rubbed me the wrong way.

Fantastic Movie!

[emilyweems · 10/10 · 26 November 2017]

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was very touching and had a very good message. The characters were very likable (especially the kid). This movie made me laugh and cry. I highly recommend it. I actually made an account just to review this movie! I don't know what's up with the terrible review talking about "do you hate poor people?". They obviously didn't watch much of the movie to be left with that impression. This movie is not bashing the poor!

Great movie for Believers and Non believers, for Family with older children about 11

[austinphotog · 10/10 · 6 December 2016]

Great acting, Great Message about taking care of those that are struggling and hurting. The Young Kid Steals the show. He is such a good actor. Jokes were great, not overly preach like a lot of Christian movies. The bad guys were good in it. Was not hokey but very moving and touching. I thought it was so good this is my first review on this site. Check it out, you will, laugh, you might even cry, The young kid and the main actor have some very emotional scenes. I GIVE IT A 10. Go See it. Such good movies like this don't come out enough in the movie theater. We in America need more touching movies, with Heart and caring about our neighbors. This type of movie is great.

Another 10 for this one

[nobletraveler · 10/10 · 19 November 2018]

This was really a cute and moving movie. Rich people get an awaking just like bitter people (i.e. the one who gave this one star). The movie is moving and engaging. Not corny, but for real with a real and believable situation that happens too often. All involved (good guys/girls and bad guys) gave outstanding performances. No it's not an Academy Award type film, but should be recognized for what it is ... great holiday story telling you can believe in!

A True Christmas Movie

[sanclan · 10/10 · 9 December 2018]

What a great story and great characters. Yes, the acting could be better for some of the characters, but the main ones were good. So much happens throughout the movie. It is very much a spirited film, with a huge heart throughout. It shows how important relationships are, as well as how things can happen for a reason. The people that are put in your path are there for a reason, so take notice. The movie starts off with a rich versus poor theme, but that is really not what it is about. I highly recommend it.

One of the Best Christian Christmas Movies this Decade

[babemccash · 10/10 · 28 August 2018]

The review about bashing poor people could not be further from the truth. This individual obvously did not watch the movie!!! The story is about the hatred that is stirred up by gossip. It is about embezzlement at a very high level and how we all suffer from it. The acting is excellent and you will watch it until the end!!! I can;t believe they didn't win some awards and film festivals. Yes--it is that good!!!!

Believe

[mitchellrharl · 10/10 · 12 January 2021]

This movie is just like a movie The Town Christmas Forgot Lauren Holly same storyline