War Room is an American Christian drama film directed by
Alex Kendrick and co-written and produced by Stephen Kendrick. War Room is the
Kendrick brothers' fifth film project and their first film project through
Kendrick Brothers Productions.Provident Films, Affirm Films and TriStar
Pictures partnered with the Kendrick brothers to release the film.
Regarding the title of the film, director Kendrick says
"We called it 'War Room' because, like the military, we should seek God
for the right strategy before going into combat. By combat, I mean daily issues
we face in our culture." The film was released in North American theaters
on August 28, 2015, and received generally negative reviews from critics, but
became a box office success and a sleeper hit.Regarding War Room's box office
performance, some might call it a faith-based David versus the secular Goliaths
in the entertainment industry.
The Plot
Tony (T.C. Stallings) and Elizabeth Jordan (Priscilla
Shirer) have a big house, a beautiful daughter, and plenty of money. Despite
their apparent success, they face a strained marriage. Tony, a pharmaceutical
salesman, is almost never there for his daughter, Danielle (Alena Pitts); has
been verbally abusive with Elizabeth; and has thoughts about cheating on his
wife with other women he has been looking at.
Elizabeth, a realtor, goes to work with the elderly Miss
Clara (Karen Abercrombie) to sell her house. Miss Clara senses the stress
Elizabeth is under, and suggests that Elizabeth fight for their marriage by
praying for Tony. Miss Clara shows Elizabeth a special closet she has dedicated
to praying, and calls it her "War Room" because as she puts it,
"In order to stand up and fight the enemy, you need to get on your knees
and pray." As Elizabeth starts to seriously pray for her husband, Tony is
away on a business trip but is having dinner with a beautiful woman who invites
him back to her apartment. Just as he is about to leave with her, he becomes
nauseous and runs to the bathroom to throw up.
Shortly afterward, Tony is fired for stealing drug samples.
Realizing he has hit rock bottom, he rededicates his life to God. Unknown to
Elizabeth and Danielle, he has been keeping several samples for himself. He now
realizes that he has to return them, even though it could potentially send him
to prison. Tony's former boss is moved by his willingness to admit his
wrongdoing and make amends, and decides not to press charges. Tony begins to
show an interest in his daughter's jump roping skills and offers to participate
with her and her friends in the upcoming double Dutch competition at the local
community center. Tony's team takes second place in the competition creating a
new bond between him and his daughter. Elizabeth successfully sells Miss
Clara's house to a retired pastor who realizes someone has been praying in the
closet. Shortly afterwards, Tony is offered a job as the director of the
community center. Although the pay isn't nearly what he was making as a
pharmaceutical salesman, he realizes that with the income from this new job
combined with Elizabeth picking up extra work, the family can make a budget and
survive.
The film ends with Tony giving Elizabeth her favorite
dessert while he gives her a foot massage, something she loves, and Miss Clara,
now living with her son, praying a powerful prayer in the still of the night.
This is a film everyone needs to get.
Directed by Alex
Kendrick
Produced by Stephen Kendrick
and Gary Wheeler
Written by Alex Kendric and Stephen Kendrick
Starring
Priscilla Shirer
T.C. Stallings
Karen Abercrombie
Alex Kendrick
Beth Moore
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