Sarah's Choice

Sarah's Choice
Theatrical poster
Directed byChad Kapper
Written bySean Paul Murphy
Timothy Ratajczak
Produced byDavid A.R. White
Byron Jones
Michael Scott
Russell Wolfe
J.E. Smith
StarringRebecca St. James
Andrea Logan White
Dick Van Patten
Brad Stine
CinematographyVirgil L. Harper
Edited bySean Paul Murphy
Music byJames Robert Ballard
Production
company
Distributed byEMI CMG Distribution
Release date
  • November 1, 2009 (2009-11-01)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$900,000

Sarah's Choice is a 2009 American direct-to-video Christian drama film directed by Chad Kapper. The film was the first lead film role for contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Rebecca St. James as the title character, along with Andrea Logan White and Dick Van Patten.[1] Christian comedian Brad Stine also appears in the film,[2] along with Charlene Tilton and Staci Keanan. It was released to DVD on November 1, 2009,[3] and was aired on February 27, 2010, on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.[4][5]

Plot

Sarah Collins's (Rebecca St. James) co-worker gets pregnant which means Sarah could get a promotion. Meanwhile, her boyfriend Matt (Julian Bailey) is pulling pranks. Sarah then finds out she is pregnant. At the doctor's office, a lady gives her a card and tells her the Lord will give her three visions. Megan (Andrea Logan White) reveals her story about her abortion. Sarah is considering an abortion. Before she makes her final decision, her visions cause her to think about her future.

Cast

Production

Principal filming was completed in Ohio at the end of February 2009.[6] When speaking of her role in the film, Rebecca St. James said, "Obviously, everyone wants a redemptive story, but the truth is that 43 percent of childbearing-age women today have abortions; it's much higher than what most people think."[7] St. James wrote the song, "Little One", for the film.[8]

Release

Sarah's Choice was released to DVD on November 1, 2009, and DVD release was followed by a theatrical premiere at Warner Brothers Studios in Hollywood.[9] The DVD contains bonus features "The Making Of", "Trailers", and "Commentary", and is available from EMI CMG Distribution.[10] It was shown at the Projecting Hope Film Festival at Waterworks Cinemas near Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania.[11]

Reception

Megan Basham of World magazine said, "Newcomer Rebecca St. James turns in a subtle and affecting performance as Sarah... Unfortunately that promising beginning is squandered when the story slides into the trap of over-simplifying and oversentimentalizing that characterizes so many Christian films."[12] Jesusfreakhideout gave the film four out of five stars and mentioned it was one of the best Christian films to date.[13] CBN noted the film's storyline of lead character Sarah Collins by stating the film "portrays all the believable influences for abortion through her co-workers, pro-abortion medical clinic, and her personal motives to stay on the career track". They noted the film's "pro-life message", and that the filmmakers approached the topic without use of graphic representations, "making it suitable for family viewing, as well as, for church groups". The noted that Rebecca St James wrote and sang the song "Little One", which was used as background music at the end of the film, and praised St. James' for "infusing her character with the passion she portrays in music".[14]

Book

A novel (ISBN 1401689248) based on the film was released on May 27, 2014, and authored by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue.

References

  1. ^ staff (November 3, 2009). "Rebecca St. James Made "Sarah's Choice"". Christian Cinema. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  2. ^ Donaghey, Michelle (November 16, 2009). "Plans fall into place; committee members needed". The Pilot News. Retrieved November 16, 2009. [dead link‍]
  3. ^ staff (November 4, 2009). "Rebecca St. James' First Leading Role in Sarah's Choice". eChristianNews. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  4. ^ staff. "Rebecca St. James on 'Sarah's Choice'". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  5. ^ "CBN Video report". Cbn.com. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  6. ^ Kimball, Josh (February 24, 2009). "Rebecca St James nears end of filming for first movie". Christian Post. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  7. ^ DeVore, Leigh (November 16, 2009). "Film Spotlights the Unborn". Charisma. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  8. ^ Kitchen, Kristen (November 30, 2009). "Rebecca St. James passionate about pro-life message". Florida Baptist Witness. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  9. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (November 16, 2009). "Rebecca St. James movie premiere". HM Magazine. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  10. ^ Donovan, Kevin P. (November 19, 2009). "Pro-Life Movie Starring Rebecca St. James Hits Stores". The Christian Post. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  11. ^ Vancheri, Barbara (October 8, 2009). "Projecting Hope Film Festival is free and Christian-friendly". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
  12. ^ Basham, Megan (January 30, 2010). "Half of a good film". World. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  13. ^ DiBiase, John (November 15, 2009). "review: Sarah's Choice". jesusfreakhideout. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  14. ^ Patch, Beth. "A Look at Rebecca St. James' New Movie". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved April 1, 2012.