Approved for 12+

Forgiven

James Davies has never amounted to anything. Stuck equally in a both a “go nowhere” job and “meaningless” relationship, he is like a rudderless ship that is truly adrift, a man with no focus or purpose. The nightmare that is his life takes an even more downward spiral, when during an argument with his girlfriend, a firearm is accidentally discharged, striking her. James panics and goes on the run. Police eventually catch up with him, and a pursuit ensues.

With nowhere to go and the law hot on his trail, James seeks refuge in a small church, where unknown to him, Pastor Taylor and his two daughters, Elizabeth and Naomi are cleaning up after the evening recital. A standoff with the pursing officers quickly escalates into a hostage situation.

A police lieutenant, Alex Morgan, arrives on scene and takes charge of the situation. He has one goal: End this and get the hostages out, whatever the cost. Even if that means sending armed officers in.

Now desperate and locked in a church sanctuary with strangers, whom he is holding against their will, James starts to weigh his options. He stares at the gun in his hand, and a thought crosses his mind -- a way out. Elizabeth senses what James is planning and starts to minister to him. Although she is afraid for her own safety and the safety of her family, it becomes her mission to save his life. She uses the only things available to her: a Bible, her testimony and the word of God.

But will it be too late?
4
Negative Rating
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SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
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Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

“Forgiven” is a riveting movie that features excellent performances, especially from Kevin Sorbo as Lt. Morgan, Jenn Gotzen as Elizabeth Taylor, and Casey Fuller as James Davies. It also features a suspenseful and interesting story line, as well as fine production values. Mainly, it focuses on a message of divine forgiveness, according to the Bible.

Pastor Taylor (Steve Flanigan) and his daughters Elizabeth (Jenn Gotzon) and Naomi (Allee Sutton Hethcoat) are about to leave church after the service when a man wielding a gun, James Davies, races in and holds them all captive. What they don’t know is that just before this, he accidentally shot his girlfriend while trying to wrestle a gun from her, and he fled, as he was sure no one would believe the shooting was accidental. Now, with the police waiting outside the church and Lt. Morgan (Sorbo) trying to figure out how to get the hostages out safely, things get worse before they get better. Pastor Taylor has a heart attack. James allows the police to bring in a stretcher and remove him to get him medical care, along with his youngest daughter. But Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, stays with James as a hostage and begins to talk with him, trying to reach him with God’s love. She even talks him into a brief Bible study, although he is constantly on guard and fearful of the police.

As she speaks to James about forgiveness, James realizes that forgiveness is exactly what he has been searching for. When Elizabeth herself forgives him for what he has done, he must decide whether to accept God’s forgiveness for himself or to end up in a worse fate. This suspenseful movie is filled with tension, but it is a compelling story. We are thrilled to award “Forgiveness” our “Faith-Friendly” Seal for ages 12-plus, and five Doves, which is our best rating. Add “Forgiveness” to your must-see list of movies! It is really that good.

Dove Rating Details

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Faith

None

0
Integrity

A man and his girlfriend argue, and when she pulls a gun on him, they wrestle with it and it fires at her; police chase a fleeing car; a man holds a gun on three hostages in a church; man puts gun to woman's head; police rush in and hold guns on a man; man puts gun to his head as he contemplates suicide.

0
Sex

None

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Language

H (as a biblical place)-2

2
Violence

A man and his girlfriend argue, and when she pulls a gun on him, they wrestle with it and it fires at her; police chase a fleeing car; a man holds a gun on three hostages in a church; man puts gun to woman's head; police rush in and hold guns on a man; man puts gun to his head as he contemplates suicide.

0
Drugs

None

0
Nudity

None

2
Other

People are held hostage; man yells at hostages; tension between characters; death and grief; man shares that his mother committed suicide; frustrated woman knows a man wants police to kill him and asks him why he doesn't just do the job himself.

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