Beyond Acceptance Movie Review
Have you heard about the new movie from Golden Vision Films titled Beyond Acceptance?
This film tells the story of Evans, a 10 year old foster child that was abandoned by his birth mother as a baby along with the Borders, a family of three that set down the bumpy, emotional, frustrating, and ultimately joyful process of welcoming Evans into their home.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of any movies that really unpack the many varied emotions, thought processes, challenges, and struggles that so often accompany the decision to adopt a child. This is that movie, and I thought it was very well done.
Aaron & Stacy Border are a married couple with one teenage daughter. They’re leading successful lives, are strong in their faith, and are artfully navigating the relatively ‘normal’, suburban lives they lead. Intrigued by friends in various stages of the adoption process and a local news segment on waiting children, Tracy decides to request a pamphlet of information about foster care adoption. After much talk, prayer, paperwork and the many steps that come with foster care licensing, they agree to their first foster care placement.
Evans has had very little love and stability in his 10 short years of life. He’s experienced a great deal of trauma and as a result exhibits many behavioral problems. His tough issues have made the hope of any permanent adoptive placement virtually nonexistent. Nonexistent, that is, until one family decides that no one is beyond acceptance.
This family’s journey is anything but easy, each member struggles in their own big ways. They deal with their desire to help, a heart for the broken, excitement in the unknown, their own selfishness, the inconvenience of difficulty, an unspoken attitude of resentment, the pervasiveness of frustrated anger, a strong desire to give up, compassion for those with inconceivable pasts, a God-given perseverance, and the unsurpassed power of unconditional love.
“If we can provide a home for him, then we’ll be able to show him a glimpse of the love that Christ has for us.” -Tracy Border, Beyond Acceptance
Much of the cast and crew for this movie are current or former homeschool students and parents. The independent film company, Golden Vision Films, that created and produced this feature-length film sets at it’s heart, their mission to “…..create quality films that glorify God, impact the culture around us, and change the way people think about the life they live.” With GVF being a small film company, lacking the big Hollywood budgets or production power, I was honestly impressed with this movie. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as is often the case with “Christian” independent movies, but ended up pleasantly surprised. As Golden Vision Films’ first feature-length movie, I appreciated the story, the well-thought-out script and mostly honest and relatable acting. I truly look forward to seeing their next effort!
If you’ve ever considered adoption, know anyone who has or is in the process of adopting, or just have a heart for the broken, I can highly recommend this movie to you! It doesn’t sugarcoat or neatly gift-wrap the often difficult and heart-breaking process of accepting and loving and caring for someone who’s been found unlovable by so many others. It isn’t “preachy”, but there’s no question that this family’s faith and trust in God is at the center. Check it out, I’m know I’m glad I was given the chance, and I don’t think you’ll regret it!
