Never leave your partner behind

So it's here. With none of the hype that accompanied the film in the United States and resulted in it grossing US$6.8 million in its opening weekend, Fireproof has snuck into the land downunder.

The DVD was released worldwide just in time for me to give it as a Valentine's Day gift to the love of my life. After Jemimah went off to bed last night, we sat down to watch it. We were blown away.



Looks like we're not the only ones to do that, either. Fireproof was the most popular DVD available at Christian stores in the US last month. Much more amazingly, though, it was also No. 5 in general retail stores and No. 7 in general DVD rentals. With the DVD's release, The Love Dare has returned to the top of the New York Times bestsellers list for paperback advice books ... and, in February it was No. 3 in the overall books list on Amazon (as of today it's number 5.)

So...to the plot.

Kirk Cameron (remember him from Growing Pains in the '80's where he played Mike Seaver, the kid who lived in his parent's attic?)...anyhow, Kirk plays Caleb Holt, a hero firefighter who over seven years of marriage has become increasingly distant from his wife Catherine played by Erin Bethea. By the time the story opens, both Caleb and Catherine are ready to chuck it in and get a divorce.

When Caleb tells his parents, his father challenges him to take "the love dare," a 40 day challenge...40 days to save a marriage. For his father's sake, Caleb agrees. 40 days.

While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again.

How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?

Caleb's father explains that this is just the love that Christ shows to us, and Caleb finally makes a life-changing commitment to love God. With God's help, Caleb finally begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife.

Now, there is your primary reason for the success of Fireproof. This is a movie made by Christians, for Christians...and it works.

Make sure you have plenty of tissues.