A Long Way Off (The Modern Day Story Of The Prodigal Son), DVD review

• Studio: Word Films
• DVD Release Date: November 11, 2014
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Rated PG
• ASIN: B00JPO97MO

SYNOPSIS:

Jake is tired of living on the family farm, submitting to the rules of his Father, Mr. Abraham.

One day, Jake demands an early inheritance from his father.  Much to the surprise of Jake – and Jake’s older brother, Seth, his Father agrees to Jake’s request and Jake is off to the big city.

Jake charges into the city, intent on proving that his modern ways are better than his dad’s traditional ways. He arrives in the city and embarks on his new life.  For a while, he does well-surprisingly well all while taking huge business risks.  His fast lifestyle finds him making “easy” money – even winning a bet with an interested and attractive local coffee house barista named Summer.

Jake’s flamboyance quickly attracts the wrong women including the seductive Laura, whose rich mobster boyfriend Frank is often dangerously nearby.  

Jake seemingly has got the it all: money, ladies, prestige – but then suddenly, he loses it all and finds himself on the wrong end of the deal he made with mobster Frank and running for his life.  And then, it gets worse.

Just when Jake thinks he’s hit bottom, the bottom really drops out – and he is now eating out of dumpsters and literally eventually ends up in the hog pen.  He’s burned all his bridge and now, out of options, Jake is forced to confront himself and, if he is to survive, he must discover who he really is.

Note: For additional information about the movie including the trailer and church material visit (HERE)


My thoughts:


Christ's parabola about love, the Prodigal Son, is perhaps one of the best known in the Bible and has been adapted many times. This newer version reminds us once again how much we have to learn about God's love for His children. A Long Way Off is the modern day version of the prodigal son.

Jake is the youngest of the two Abraham's sons. A bright albeit superficial young man, Jake is his father's favourite whilst his hardworking brother is his father's right hand. 
As expected the story unfolds with Jake wishing to leave the farm for greener pastures and his father's acquiescing to his son's demands for his inheritance. Just there, I felt like grinding my teeth! Is this young man for real?

But there would be no story for us to unravel if it did not follows what the Bible tells us. Jake gets to have a taste of the good life until he loses it all and returns home to beg his father's love and forgiveness. 
As much as I do not like Jake's character (I much prefer the steadfastness of the older brother) I must differ to the lesson it carries: God's everlasting love for us!

Running 105 minutes, the concept of the script is pleasant enough, the acting a little stale and not very realistic.

3 Stars!



About Word Entertainment:


A leader in the music industry for over 60 years, Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is a unique, comprehensive entertainment company comprised of multi-faceted artist service departments including publishing, merchandising, booking and online initiatives and is home to 25 Entertainment, Word Distribution (representing Curb Records and Big Idea/VeggieTales among others), Word Print/Church Resources, Word Films, Word Music Publishing and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Word Worship and Fervent Records.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of each DVD courtesy of EDIFY MEDIA Inc. as part of the movie's promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.