Sarah’s Oil is inspired by a true story and is one to be enjoyed by the entire family (for ages 12+.) It features interesting characters, including a young girl who is kind but determined, not to mention she’s portrayed by a fine actress. Naya Desir-Johnson plays young Sarah Rector, and she plays the character with a simple trust in God’s providence, and with a faith which is astounding for her age.
Due to the former slavery in the land and the Jim Crow law, young Sarah is deeded several acres of her own land. She signs an official paper and a businessman says she can write beautifully. “She can read too!” boasts her proud father, Joe (Kenric Green). Her loving mother, Rose, is portrayed by Sonequa Martin-Green. And Adyan Copes plays her little brother Junior. The movie is well-directed.
Just eleven years old, young Sarah believes there is oil on her land in the Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s. The racial prejudice was very real and is at times truthfully portrayed in the movie. Sarah enters a diner to ask for some water and a waitress asks her to leave. A man named Bert (Zachary Levi) stands up for her and offers to buy a lemonade for her. This suits the waitress, and young Sarah gets her lemonade. However, it is this connection with Bert which will be life-changing for young Sarah.
Joe doesn’t believe the government would give the land away to Sarah if it was valuable, but young Sarah believes God gave her the land for a reason. And she just knows in her heart that oil lies below. Bert and his friend, Mace (Mel Rodriguez), work together to help Sarah and Bert obtain Sarah’s parents’ blessing to start drilling on the land. But it will be a hard-fought battle to get to the end of this potential rainbow. The pot of gold will not be easily attained. Several greedy men are determined to get the land from Sarah so they can drill and line their own pockets with a lot of money.
Bert comes up with a new rig, dubbed “Sarah’s Oil,” and immediately a man tries to claim the land as his own. In fact, a racial slur is used against Joe, and Sarah’s beloved dog, Blue (short for “Blue Bonnet”), is shot. The tension continues to build over Sarah’s land and her belief in its value. Bert is determined to treat Sarah fairly and help her, and ultimately Sarah helps him too, as she speaks to him about his soul. He later confesses that no one ever before spoke to him about his soul. Despite the drama and tension-filled scenes, the movie features some moments of humor. When Bert is turned down for a loan by a banker, he tells the banker, “Have a good day.” “You have a good day, too,” replies the banker. “I didn’t mean it!” Bert replies.
Forgiveness as well as perseverance are a couple of nice themes featured in this movie. The Pan Okie company, which left its equipment on Sarah’s land saying it wasn’t worth it to remove, later wants it back after Sarah and Bert and their workers have used it. The tension mounts when it’s learned that other children who received land have been murdered. Rose worries for her daughter. As Sarah’s father Joe states, there are two kinds of law in Oklahoma during this time – “one for whites and one for us.”
Sarah ultimately goes to court, and her mother reminds her that God will give her what she needs to say. Sarah makes a plea to keep her land. “Amen!” says a person in the courtroom. “Did your parents tell you what to say?” asks the judge. “Yes, sir,” Sarah replies. “What was that?” asks the judge. “The truth,” Sarah replies. The song, “Do Lord Remember Me” plays in the background and Sarah’s trust in God continues to be evident.
There are moments of violence in the movie. We won’t plot-spoil but it’s amazing what is accomplished in the end, and we will say Sarah’s faith in God is rewarded in some remarkable ways. A nice line is offered up near the end of the movie: “God gave us gifts – the only sin is not to use them.” A beautiful song plays during the credits, in part reminding the viewer that God knows our hearts.
Content Analysis: There is a Christian worldview in the movie, with Sarah being an example of trusting in God, and forgiveness and the importance of one’s soul are mentioned. Sarah prays to Jesus and one of the songs is “Do Lord Remember Me.” The movie is appropriate for ages twelve and above, because despite its Christian themes it features strong language in a few parts, racial slurs, and moments of violence. It also has one innuendo.
Think About It: Discussion topics include racial prejudice and if it has changed since the early 1900s, and about standing for what is right and trusting God when things are not going well. Greed is another good discussion topic for kids and their parents.
The Dove Take: This movie strongly endorses keeping a faith in God and trusting in Him when adversity strikes. It is an inspired story based on a true story, but due to moments of strong content, including language, racial slurs, and violence, not to mention one innuendo, we are awarding it our Dove Seal for Ages 12+. It is, ultimately, a story of faith and perseverance.
