I was privileged to attend the very first showing of the upcoming film “Not Easily Broken,” based on the book by the Bishop T. D. Jakes and starring three of my favorite performers, Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson, and Jennifer Lewis. It is the story of a young couple struggling to keep their connection to each other and to God in the early years of marriage. And it is the first of what Bishop Jakes hopes will be a series of films with compelling stories told with heart and without crassness, profanity, or violence. It was made for a very small budget as a labor of love and they are trying to get the word out now so that the opening week’s box office will be big enough to persuade Hollywood to make some more.
There was a half-hour delay in getting the film started, which was fine with me because Bishop Jakes picked up a microphone to talk to us. It was a great pleasure to see his extraordinary ability to bring an audience together. It took him just a couple of seconds to turn to Washington’s largest movie theater into a congregation and to make us feel involved and connected. After the film, Jakes, director Bill Dukes, and producer-star Morris Chestnut spoke about the project and answered some questions.
I can’t post a review until the film opens in January, but I can say that I very much appreciate their effort to create meaningful stories with good values that are unapologetically positive about spirituality and to create roles with some depth for these talented actors. It made me think again of how few movies there are that begin where most movies end — with a wedding — and talk about what marriage and happily-ever-after really mean. I’ll have another post on that topic soon.
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posted September 21, 2008 at 10:30 pm
When is this scheduled to be released? Will it only be in certain cities? Still, in 2008, I find it hard to believe this will be released in mainstream theatres…What a shame…
posted September 27, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Thanks, Andrea! It is scheduled for a pretty wide release in early 2009, so stay tuned.
posted November 16, 2008 at 11:28 am
pastor Jakes keep the good woork up and may the lord continue to bless and strenghten you the more.
If the making of the movie will be inclusive and involving Kirke Frankling and orther gospel artist both ministering and on sound track,wider audience will be reached
posted November 16, 2008 at 11:30 am
pastor Jakes keep the good woork up and may the lord continue to bless and strenghten you the more.
posted December 8, 2008 at 10:33 am
I am so excited adout the new and up coming movie.Bishop, keep doing God wills.
posted January 8, 2009 at 11:28 am
During the film, moviegoers will also hear the vocals of gospel artist Jesse Campbell, who renders a couple of songs, including “His Eye is On the Sparrow,” which is from his CD “Hymns From the Heart Vol. 1.” To hear Cambell sing, go to CDbaby.com
Campbell has recorded with Jakes’ The Potter’s House Choir, The Winans, Rev. Timothy Wright and others.
posted January 12, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I don’t see anywhere where it explains about the 3 strand cord that (that cannot be easily broken – Ecl 4:12) they used in the ceremony when the couple got married. Isn’t that what the movie was all about or not???
posted May 5, 2009 at 10:50 am
VERY disappointed at the amount of profanities used. So glad my daughter had already gone to bed. It seems that modern day Christianity is no longer Christian like. Used to respect T.D Jakes till we saw this movie.