It's not often, actually never, that I can say I missed a film's world premiere at my hometown's Heartland International Film Festival because of my own film, but this was very much the case as co-writer/director Robert Ingraham's Premarital had its world premiere alongside Just One Man, a feature documentary in which I'm featured.
Life is weird.
It's a shame, really, because Premarital is the kind of film I love to watch, and it's the kind of film that discovers its wings on the indie film circuit. Premarital isn't the kind of film one sees often at the multiplex. Instead, it's the kind of film that is too often discovered later on some Saturday night at home when flipping channels and looking for something to watch.
That's also a shame.
Premarital is quite the joy. It's an honest portrayal of a Christian family, though it's neither a faith-based film nor a skewering of Christianity. It does, at times quite pointedly, point out the quirks and foibles of what it means to be a Christian these days. However, Premarital doesn't have a mean bone in its body. It's a film that will delight ex-Christians, immensely satisfy deconstructing Christians, make progressive Christians laugh, and leave most traditional Christians looking in a cinematic mirror.
Alan (Mark Hapka) and Sophie (Kelley Jakle) are New Yorkers headed back to Sophie's Midwestern childhood home to get married. Oh, and to meet the family.
And, oh that family.
Stewart (Jim O'Heir, Parks and Recreation) is the pastor of Lakewood Bible Church and, in a myriad of ways, he's front-and-center here. This is especially true when he discovers that Alan isn't a Christian.
Gasp.
Stewart sets out on a mission to convert Alan to Christianity before the wedding.
So often, a film like Premarital takes a fervent side. Ingraham, writing alongside sister Margaret Bienert, may have a rather obvious leaning one direction but Premarital is far too insightful and honest to play too much hardball here. Yes, it becomes readily apparent that Alan is completely aware of what's going on and has a bit of fun with it all. After all, this perfect Christian family is far from perfect and, at times, not exactly behaving like the Christians they profess to be. Alan, on the other hand, isn't a Christian but is true to his beliefs and there are more than a few times when his behaviors seem a lot more Christlike.
Hapka is quite impressive as Alan, far from a perfect human being and occasionally overly passionate himself. However, there's an air of decency and likability about him that makes the awkwardness of everything that unfolds a little more off-kilter and, quite simply, funnier.
O'Heir is perfectly utilized as the good-natured Stewart, a believable pastor whose worldly innocence is hilarious and whose emotional center drives the film's heart and soul. You adore him even when he drives you nuts.
Kelley Jakle's Sophie occasionally gets left behind in the narrative, though every time she's on the screen I smiled between her obviously good chemistry with Hapka and that familial connection that is both frazzled yet undeniable. The supporting players, mostly family and extensions of them, are all quite sublime and this is a strong ensemble from beginning to end. Standouts for me included Abby Pierce's Grace, underwritten yet absolutely a gem in every moment she gets. Igby Rigney also shines as Clark as does Isabelle Muthiah as Leah, the family's youngest daughter who's prone to late night sneaking around with her boyfriend (Jack Welshons).
Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention an inspired turn by Steve Hanks as Bruce, a Pentecostal pastor in every word and deed.
After a successful festival run, Premarital has been picked up by indie distributor Level 33 Entertainment. It's available for streaming now, and I definitely recommend you do so.
You can tell that Ingraham and Bienert have experience in the Christian world. The dialogue hits all the familiar benchmarks, though they do so in a way that is culturally aware without being mean-spirited at all. That said, there's no denying some folks will be offended here. Quite honestly, they probably should be. I'm a Christian and also an ordained pastor. Guess what? Sometimes, the truth is going to hit you right between the eyes.
Yet, there's a lot of warmth and love in Premarital and I found myself quite charmed by the storytelling. I also found myself impressed by the costuming design by Carrie Gifford, Cobey Bienert's original score, and the lensing from Tyler Beus.
I'm bummed that I missed Premarital at Heartland, though I'm thankful that wrong has been righted. Led by another fine performance from Jim O'Heir, Premarital features terrific storytelling and a strong ensemble adding up to an indie flick unique in tone that deserves to be seen.
Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
