UPDATE: The movie has now been released on DVD! Here’s a direct link to it on AMAZON.
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Being familiar with the life and writings of C.S. Lewis is both a blessing and a curse. The good thing about it is enjoying the rich and practical ways Lewis brings to light just about all aspects of life. The trouble comes when you read or see what another presents about Lewis. Herein lies the struggle I have with The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis (premiering in the US and Canada on November 3, 2021) produced by Fellowship for Performing Arts in partnership with 1A Productions. How do I take off my critical hat (in the negative sense of the word) and enjoy the motion picture for what it is?
Fortunately, Max McLean (the lead actor and co-writer) and Norman Stone (director and the other writer) have such high standards in their respective areas of work that it is hard not to enjoy the final product. While I didn’t count the backgrounds presented in The Most Reluctant Convert, promotional materials state almost 20 locations were used. I can simply say the cinematography was exquisite. But then, given where Lewis lived during the period covered in the film one would expect no less.
The details of Lewis’s life covered in the movie (remembering it is only presenting up to his conversion) are highly accurate. One would be hard-pressed to find any meaningful change that takes away from the central truth of the core message.
However, these elements are not the only components that make a good movie. So, is The Most Reluctant Convert a good movie? It most definitely is, in fact it is even a great movie if you see it from the proper perspective. What is that angle? If you followed Max McLean over the last year, you would have seen him state “The film version of The Most Reluctant Convert is a re-imagining and a vivid expansion of our stage play.”[i] If you saw the one-man play then you know it is Lewis reflecting on his earlier life. How can this be transformed into a motion picture? You create a visual presentation of the narration. The difficulty some viewers may have with the final results is that the foundation the movie was built upon is heavy with monologue. After all, how do you present a one-man play without nearly all of it being a very long speech? However, I’d guess that the majority of those who view the movie will not know it is an adaptation of a stage play.
The motion picture itself does try to alert you to this fact in the opening scene of the film, as well as the final moments. The term for this is a “framing device.” While a viewer may not understand it initially (and I didn’t at first), once I reminded myself why the movie relied on so much narration, I was able to enjoy it a great deal more. Therefore, while I highly recommend the movie for anyone interested in Lewis, I am very aware there will be those who might find the approach of “telling” the story more overtly than the “showing” of the story takes them away from the enjoyment of the film.
[i] On Location in England with The Most Reluctant Convert Film!
Thank you, William!
I’m looking forward to seeing the movie and your article helps me to know what to expect. I’ve enjoyed watching Max McLean in the past, so I’m looking forward to a “filled out” version of his presentation.
Tamy (Van Buren) Fitzpatrick
So good to hear from you Tamy!
Glad my review was helpful to you.
Absolutely dreadful film; I walked out on it. Waste of money. If I wanted to see behind the scenes footage of how a film is made and meet all of the actors/directors and so on, then I would have possibly liked the film. I was more interested in learning more about C.S. Lewis’ conversion than learning how a film is made.
Official response from Max McLean:
BTW “THE MAKING OF” being shown first was a delivery mistake.
Many were caught off guard by that. I know I was. The intent was to show this bonus feature at the end; not at the beginning. Event cinema like this requires a “bonus” feature so that is why it was shown at all.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to correct this before Nov 18. So when you go be prepared for a 12-minute “making of” feature before the movie starts.
As an unaware viewer I agree that presenting the ‘behind the scenes’ clips was an enormous mistake. Combined with the theater trailers of future presentations, we ensured such unappreciated nonsense for HALF AN HOUR before the actual film began. Plus it acted as a spoiler for several scenes in the film. I was disappointed before the film even began.
Thank you for your review. I totally agree that the “telling” of the story, that must be done in a one man show, could have been edited for a more “fleshed out” presentation in the movie. I liked his presence and personality in the scenes, but they had a very wonderful cast with not much to do and I wish there could have been more dialogue. It was beautifully filmed and I’m glad I saw it, just wish it was a bit less one man’s voice throughout.
(Also, at the theater we were in, they showed the “making of” the film before the movie ran. I didn’t like that at all. I don’t like seeing what I came to see shown before I see it! Kind of takes some of the wind out of the sails of the movie.)
As a writer, the difference between “telling” and “showing” was exactly what I focused on afterwards as the group I was with discussed the film. We thought MacLean did a brilliant portrayal and loved the “young” Lewis. The concept was interesting but I’m one of those who much prefer the “showing” of story-telling and I thought the framing device a bit tedious.
The acting and manner of telling the story was excellent. I think it accomplished what the director intended to accomplish, and it was compelling. Perhaps it wasn’t everything some people may have wished it to be, but I think it was a worthy addition to the works done about CSL.
I thought the film showed C.S. Lewis’ spiritual journey wonderfully! It did not minimize the depths of despair he went to after his mother’s passing just as it did not minimize the heights of joy in realizing the beauty and truth and potential in the process of becoming a Christian. When the movie got to the section explaining C.S. Lewis belief how there is no such thing as a “mere mortal” I felt a beautiful sense of communion, indeed a much needed sense as we emerge from this pandemic. The dialogue was both conversational and deep throughout the film. My main suggestion would be the pacing. I would have liked the speech to be a tad slower so I could have better processed some of the realizations and humorous quips. But that’s a minor critique. All it means is I need to watch _The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis_ again to better understand it, and I hope it comes out on video soon.
Thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Took a few friends who were not familiar with CSL and they enjoyed it as well. It opened a wonderful discourse and those friends are now excited to explore the writings of CSL. Will be going again and taking more folks to see it. Thankful for such a delightful tool in which to open conversations about Lewis and coming to faith.
Hopefully we will see this in South Africa some time soon.
I agree with many of the commenters above that putting the “making of” right before showing the film took away some of the impact that it could have had. However, that is the only critique I have. As the review states, the cinematography was superb, the scoring was beautiful, the locations fitting. I felt like I was walking with Jack along his journey to faith. Altogether a delightful experience.
How tragic that the bonus feature. which was a dreadful Covid safety commercial replete with multiple spoilers for the movie, was shown BEFORE the feature film. Truly soured the entire experience. I am relieved to read that it was a mistake. Until it is fixed I would not recommend going or at least sitting in the car a full 30 minutes to avoid being assaulted with nonsensical Hollywood previews and a thoroughly dreadful bonus short documentary. The feature film was well done. I feel terrible for the entire cast and crew that such a blunder marred this fine film.
I had no advance notice about the film. I expected an acted version not a narrative. This I was disappointed with it
The film touches raw untold side of C.S Lewis that wasn’t told. The beginning not so good, no need to show a pre-view to a film before the film.
It captures a past, tender and personal . C.S Lewis at the end of his life finally believed in God but , through his life he tested everything spiritual and magical .he tested his own being .
I am glad he found God.