Approved for 12+

The Wager

Brucie is abandoned and left on the steps of the police station as a mere infant, leaving a future that consists of 17 foster homes. He begins to be influenced by his surroundings, as a war for his soul wages. After a trip to church with his friend Suzy, things appear to be looking up for young Brucie—that is until he is pulled from the grid, against his will, by the Cartel to do their bidding. By the time he breaks free from the Cartel’s stronghold, he is equipped with a heinous past and gambling addiction. He tries to go on in spite of his infirmities, but all seems lost as he loses his job and is evicted to be once again cast to the streets. In what seems to be a last-ditch effort... he takes everything he has left to the Casino in hopes for what would be the grand wager. Instead he loses everything and seems to be without hope... that is...until a man in white walks up and asks him if he would like to make a small wager. Brucie loses the wager and is mysteriously jolted back in time to see life from the eyes of those he brutally hurt—an experience that will forever alter his broken life.

7
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
8
Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

What are untold riches? Bruce Stern (Jim Gloyd) is going to find out, but unfortunately, he is going to learn the truth the hard way. Abandoned at the steps of the police station immediately after he is born, he has a tag attached to him that simply says, “Brucie.” Two officers, Gabe (short for Gabriel) and Ike, take a liking to him. Gabe seems to have a spiritual air about him which isn’t entirely explained until later in this intriguing movie. Ike is a Christian as well, and even after Brucie is picked up by a social worker, Ike is determined to pray for him and to try to keep in touch. Regrettably, Brucie winds up in one foster care home after another.

He doesn’t do too well in school, either. He gets in trouble for attempting to steal some lunch money when the teacher sends him to the office with the cash. He angers the teacher further when he stands outside the classroom door, hooks a paper clip wire to a pencil, and makes it look like the pencil is floating. His classmates bust up with laughter which soon lands Brucie in more trouble.

However, just as there is always a caring person close by in everyone’s life, Suzy is a young girl who sees potential in Brucie. She keeps inviting him to her church and he keeps fighting her about it. But she finally wears him down and he attends her youth group and the church service. The pastor gives an invitation to accept Christ and Brucie does. He loves the experience of sins forgiven but when he leaves the service, a couple of bad guys, drug dealers, fool him into coming close to their car. The driver flashes a gun and makes him get in the car. They are about to kidnap him and introduce him to the world of drug dealing, primarily cocaine. They had actually researched young Bruce and learned that he had no solid background so they thought of him as the perfect patsy for their sinister scheme.

The film shows young Bruce making transactions and living in an old, dilapidated building. Soon, we see scenes of him shooting himself in the arm with needles and still dealing the drugs.

We see the story through the eyes of Bruce as well as Ike, who never gives up on finding Bruce. And during a chance trip to a gambling hall Bruce is re-introduced to Suzy, who has ministered to people with addictions. Although he bluntly tells Suzy that he tried God twice and it didn’t work, we see what happens when a man named “Gabe” shows up, dressed all in white, and proposes a “wager” with Bruce. If it goes well, Bruce will learn what untold riches really are. Ike finds him as well and the movie shows what a dramatic change can occur when a person encounters Christ. This is ultimately a story of redemption.

It should be noted that there are a few scenes of drug use, including the use of needles, as well as cigarette smoking and cocaine, wrapped in packages, are seen on screen a few times. We believe this film merits our Dove seal for Ages 12+ with the caveat that parents should consult our content listings and make their own informed decisions as to their children screening the film.

The Dove Take:

This film contains a wallop when it comes to the transforming power of Christ, and families with kids age 12 and above will enjoy seeing the Gospel demonstrated in a powerful way.

Dove Rating Details

4
Faith

A strong faith message about redemption in Christ, a few church scenes with a pastor preaching and a youth minister teaching teens.

4
Integrity

A man shatters a car window; a man flashes a gun; a few scenes in which people are shot but the scenes are not gratuitous or graphic; a boy is forcibly taken and kidnapped.

1
Sex

A married couple kisses a few times

0
Language

None

2
Violence

A man shatters a car window; a man flashes a gun; a few scenes in which people are shot but the scenes are not gratuitous or graphic; a boy is forcibly taken and kidnapped.

2
Drugs

Drug use on screen with a man shooting a needle into his arm in a few scenes; cocaine is seen packaged and sold; cigarette smoking in a few scenes; pipe smoking in one scene; a few scenes of alcohol being consumed.

0
Nudity

None

2
Other

Tension between characters; the perils of the drug world; a homeless man is seen; a kid is seen picking his nose

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