Come What May Film Review

Interested in watching a film like this? Look no further than AFG’s first feature-length film, Come What May.

Not one to shy away from the tough issues that face our society, the AFG team takes one of the most controversial issues of our time head-on in their very first offering.

The film stars Austin Kearney as Caleb Hogan, and Victoria Emmons as Rachel Morton – two students who are attending Patrick Henry College and preparing for the National Moot Court Championship.

• Their argument: Overturn Roe v. Wade.
• The agreement: If Caleb wins the National Championship, his family will pay for the rest of his education at Patrick Henry.
• The twist: Caleb’s mother is a high-powered attorney, simultaneously arguing a case on abortion in the Supreme Court...from a pro-choice standpoint.
• The surprise: You’ll have to watch the film – I’m not giving it away.

Caleb is in a tough spot. He needs to win the National Moot Court Championship in order to stay at Patrick Henry College, but his professor and fellow students want to overturn Roe v. Wade completely – an argument which Caleb sees as a losing one. Instead, Caleb wants to amend Roe v. Wade minimally, and have a chance at winning. His father, professor, peers, and love interest are absolutely against this sort of compromise.

Do the right thing, no matter what the cost, is the theme of this movie.

Though Caleb believes in the pro-life stance, he stands to lose the competition and his mother’s support if he argues the point and is defeated. If he doesn’t argue to overturn Roe v. Wade, he stands to lose his integrity, and Rachel.

The entire film is filled with choices and the consequences that those choices carry.

The moral?

"Do what is right, come what may."

Caleb is brilliantly played by Austin Kearney, who is absolutely believable in his role and a delight to watch. Caleb’s parents, played by real-life married couple Kenny and Karen Jezek, are also well-cast and convincing in their roles. Victoria Emmons is charismatic in her role as Rachel Morton, and her musical talents are also used in the film. Dr. Michael Farris (founder of Patrick Henry College and the Home School Legal Defense Association), as himself, is entirely credible in his role and – considering AFG’s target audience – an idyllic addition to the cast.

Good

• Austin Kearney as Caleb Hogan. Considering that he "accidentally" auditioned for the role, I’m sure it was providence, not coincidence, that he ended up reading for the part.
• The chemistry between Kenny and Karen Jezek is a blessing to the film.
• The soundtrack for the film, by composer David Gilchrist, is extraordinary and moving.
• The casting of Dr. Michael Farris as Moot Court coach was a brilliant move designed to reach out to the homeschool community – a large component of AFG’s target audience.
• AFG’s production plan was thorough and deliberate.
• Come What May challenges viewers and inspires godliness.
• Working with homeschoolers, rather than seasoned professionals, will have a less than perfect impact on the quality of AFG’s first few films. But at what cost? AFG has made a premeditated decision to invest in, and inspire, future generations of godly filmmakers. As AFG productions increase in number, the Group’s resource pool of godly and experienced filmmakers will grow exponentially. By making the decision to live by the convictions shown in their first film, I believe that AFG has made the right decision – come what may – and they are to be commended for this.

Areas to improve

• Some of the scenes are staccato in their delivery, but the general feel of the film is authentic throughout.
• Although the acting is largely believable and genuine, some areas could merit from improvement. This will come with time and the increasing experience of those involved.
• The speed of the film is slow at times, but without chase scenes and action sequences, it still moves at a decent pace. It is obvious that significant effort was made to move the film along.

Come What May is a thought-provoking and inspiring film that will cause viewers to reflect on the decisions they have made in life, challenge their convictions, and inspire them to godliness and purity. The pre-planned distribution and execution model of AFG’s first film should be emulated by Christian filmmakers everywhere.

George Escobar, a homeschooling father who worked almost exclusively with homeschoolers in the making of this film, has set an extremely high standard for other Christian filmmakers to attain to. Not only is the movie done with excellence, but AFG’s entire business plan is ingenious and God-led, from beginning to end.

Why do I say this? HOSFU has done enough research to know that AFG has been meticulous, calculated, and intentional from Come What May’s pre-production to its distribution. They have a business model that should be encapsulated, taught and spread throughout Christendom.

It is difficult to sum up how carefully thought out and remarkable the execution plan of AFG’s first feature film truly is. Rather than attempting to and falling short, I’d invite you to look at our exclusive interview with George Escobar and peruse their website. Take the time; you will be blessed.

Thank you George Escobar, Manny Edwards, and the folks at Advent Film Group. You have truly blessed us, not only with a fine film, but – more importantly – a standard to reach for in filmmaking. You are to be highly commended, and we look forward to your next production.

Check out Christian-Movie.com's exclusive interview with
producer and director George Escobar!

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