Approved for 12+

New Life

Limited Theatrical Release - Benjamin Morton's (Jonathan Patrick Moore) life changed forever the day he met the little girl next door. Ava (Erin Bethea) was and always would be the girl of his dreams. What began as a childhood friendship grows into a meaningful relationship as the two plan their lives together. When life takes a turn neither of them expect, their entire future is called into question, and they must decide what it really means to make the most of life.

NEW LIFE is about love’s power, no matter the circumstances in life, to give strength and hope.
9
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
12345
FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

“New Life” is a powerful movie about the hope that love gives, even in the midst of grief. Jonathan Patrick Moore stars as Benjamin Morton, a man who has known Ava (Erin Bethea), his future wife, since childhood. Ava became his first friend when he and his family moved to the United States from England, and they have been together ever since.

They go through ups and downs, including a tragic event regarding a child. Yet, when they move forward and seem to be at their happiest, life throws them a curve in the form of cancer — and Ava will need chemotherapy to beat it. Ava keeps a sense of humor, calling fellow chemo patients at the hospital “chemo-sabies,” something close to what Tonto called the Lone Ranger. Proving his love for her, Ben shaves his head when she begins to suffer hair loss from the chemo treatments, and he remains a rock for his wife. She keeps a sense of humor as she puts on a blue wig and gives Ben a wig that looks like a rooster’s mane. After her recovery, they share some of their happiest moments, such as when she presents him with a boat called Je T’aime (French for “I love you”), which they remember from their childhood. Then, tragedy strikes again, and they will need love and strength to move forward. Fortunately, their story has a little light at the end of the tunnel. We are awarding this film our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal for ages 12-plus. It has a few tear-inducing moments but presents a wonderful message of hope with a quality script, direction, and acting. Erin Bethea and Jonathan Patrick Moore shine in the lead roles.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

A man breaks objects in anger because of his wife's illness.

2
Sex

Kissing in several scenes, first as a dating couple and then as husband and wife; husband and wife, clothed, kiss on their bed; a woman, who has a minor part in the film, becomes pregnant and shares that her boyfriend left her after he learned she was expecting.

1
Language

G/OMG-4; Little Dork-1

1
Violence

A man breaks objects in anger because of his wife's illness.

1
Drugs

Wine is consumed with dinner; a joke about partying in the library where a couple studied a lot; woman with IV is given treatments.

2
Nudity

A woman wears a short skirt in a scene; mild cleavage; a shirtless man in the bathtub; man in boxers; men in shorts.

2
Other

Woman coughs up blood; woman vomits due to sickness; woman loses hair due to treatments; death and grief; tension and arguments between characters; a woman suffers a miscarriage.

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