Filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick are known for movies that win your heart, tug at your emotions, and point you to great biblical truth. Courageous (2011) urged parents to take their roles more seriously. War Room (2015) encouraged Christians to take prayer more seriously. Victor (2019) reminded believers of their identity found only in Christ. And Fireproof (2008) helped strengthen countless marriages.
The Kendricks will release their latest film, Lifemark, on September 9. The good news? It packs the same emotional punch and gospel-focused truth of those previous hits.
Director: Kevin Peeples
Stars: Kirk Cameron, Alex Kendrick, Marisa Lynae Hampton
Inspired by true events, Lifemark tells the story of David, an 18-year-old high school teenager enjoying a carefree life when he learns that his biological mother, David, is adopted and wants to contact him.
Fortunately, David's adoptive parents, played by Kirk Cameron and Rebecca Rogers, prepared David for this moment by openly discussing her birth story and defending her heroic role in her life. Still, it's a lot to process.
“I don't even know her,” David says thoughtfully, not knowing what to do. "There's no rush," replies his father.
As we follow this emotionally charged storyline, we also learn more about David's past and his family. He is a high school wrestler. He is also a gifted speaker, and we see him on display when he gives a speech about adopting him in front of a large audience. As he speaks onstage, we watch as his biological mother, hundreds of miles away, Googles information about him, thrilled to learn about the young man he has become. It is one of the best moments of the film.
Ultimately, David befriends his biological mother, Melissa (played by Dawn Long), on social media. After some exchanges, he decides to meet her face to face. He is excited, but nervous, about her visit in person.
When he is asked what he can tell her, he thinks for a moment and solemnly replies, "Thank you." Lifemark is an inspirational pro-adoption film that perfectly captures all the emotions of the adoption process, making you feel empathy for both sides as you cheer on David's success in life.
Through flashbacks, we learn why David's biological parents gave him up for adoption (they were young). We also see his biological parents review dozens of paper biographies before landing on the mom and dad who became his adoptive parents. (During an emotional scene, we see a young Melissa make an unexpected phone call to her adoptive mother-to-be, asking her how she baits her fishing hook.) We then see David being raised as a baby, then a toddler, then a child. Without a doubt, there are multiple scenes that make you cry.
The filmmakers, however, use humor cleverly to reduce the emotional strain thanks to David's goofy friend Nate, who is shooting a documentary about David's life and wants him to show more joy on screen. The film's lead actor, Raphael Ruggero, is stellar.
It is the first Kendrick brothers film not directed by Alex Kendrick (who is an executive producer). That task went to Kevin Peeples, who previously directed Like Arrows.
The first hour of the movie is as gripping as any Kendrick brothers movie. Lifemark is a faith-based film that promotes adoption, affirms biblical truth, and leaves you wanting to get more involved in the adoption movement.