“Before All Others” is a winner! It is a delightful and heartwarming story that features several moments of humor. A number of things make this movie well worth watching. For one, it shows what can happen to a person who follows God and the rewards that can follow. It also features strong performances by Katherine Stewart as Rachel, Suzanne M. Brown as Rose, Dave Stone as Ben, and John E. Euber as Charles.
The movie is well directed, with each scene necessary to the film. The plot focuses on Rachel, a dental assistant, who suddenly is stricken with GBS, a disease that affects the legs and is most often curable with rehab. She falls in the dentist’s office on the job, and soon learns that she will need help. Her grandmother, Rose, is the only surviving member of her family who can help. The elderly Rose uses a cane and has a hard time getting around herself, but is a strong Christian woman and gladly says Rachel can stay with her during her rehab. Rose is a delightful character, absentmindedly pouring in the cheese packet with the macaroni, dropping letters as she walks back from the mailbox, and swerving a bit when she drives. When she is driving home, her vehicle overheats and she stops to check it out when Rachel suggests she does so. She pours water into the radiator and, having solved the problem, heads home, which is about a half mile away from where they pulled over! She also gets Rachel’s wheelchair out of her vehicle, sets it down on a hill, and it promptly rolls down. It will be difficult for viewers not to laugh at these wonderful and funny moments.
Rose and Rachel grow closer, although Rachel is at first distant due to her feelings about her paralysis. They find out what happened with Rachel’s mother’s relationship with her grandmother, and how her mother didn’t want to follow the directions of a Christian home. A handyman named Ben is called to build a ramp for Rachel’s wheelchair, and soon it is evident there are feelings between widower Ben and Rachel. Rose begins to realize her time on Earth is coming to an end and she is determined to see Rachel and Ben together before she “departs.” One last test of faith stands in the way of Rachel and Ben finding happiness together.
This wonderful movie presents themes of placing God “before all others” and yet loving those around us and following God’s plan. It also shows that restoration and renewal are possible following a season of pain. We are very pleased to award this movie our “Faith-Friendly” Seal for all ages, although it is not intended for the very young.
