Plot Summary
Blynn Lehman is just one of nine children in a second generation immigrant German family, living in California during the early days of World War I. Times are hard, and his pastor father must take on extra work in order to make ends meet. Blynn’s older brother has been drafted into the war, and Blynn’s father grows more frustrated by the day as he tries to write a song about the love of God. Blynn becomes determined to help his father finish the song so that it will bring their family needed income. In order to do so, he and his siblings begin to explore the origins of a mysterious Jewish poem that will take them further than they ever imagined.
Production Quality (1 point)
First off, Indescribable has good video and sound quality, but unfortunately, this is the extent of its positive production elements. The film contains amateur camera angles, which can be slightly forgiven due to its microscopic budget. However, the editing is all over the map, including unnecessary filler scenes and awkward cuts to historical flashbacks and fantasies. The sets are very cheap. There is also bad makeup and costuming; however, much of this can be overlooked for the sake of its budget. Yet this begs the question: with such a small budget, was this movie worth making?
Plot and Storyline Quality (1 point)
The idea behind the plot has some interesting potential, but due to the wasted time and confusing flashbacks\fantasies, the original point is eventually lost. This movie is based on true events, and Box Office Revolution realizes that it is attempting to be realistic in its day by day feel, but it just comes off as amateurish. Some of the scenes are downright head-scratching as to why they are even included. Much of the dialogue is unfortunately childish, thus making for odd character development. There is an uncanny worldview undertone to the plot that cannot be quantified, except to say that it feels like a vague point about Christian-Jewish historical relations is trying to be impressed upon the viewers.
Acting Quality (0 points)
There is no acting coaching whatsoever. It seems like a lot of the actors have been pressed into service with no backup. The emotional delivery is unbelievable and goes over the heads of the audience. Most of the actors are overly practiced and extremely stiff, and they commit out of place actions with no warning. In short, some amateur acting can be forgiven, but the blame for this cast must fall upon the movie’s creators, since many of these people are being expected to play parts they have not been properly prepared for.
Conclusion
The Christian movie scene is full of good intentions. Indescribable is a well-meaning movie about an important topic. It could have been a truly intriguing historical plot, but it simply falls short. Once again, funding of independent Christian films is a huge issue, but with a budget this small, the creators should have thought twice about forcing it to happen. If one wants to get started in independent Christian film making, short films is probably the best route to begin on.
Final Rating: 2 out of 10 points
Box Office Revolution 