I CAN ONLY IMAGINE   3.2***

        First recorded in 1999, MercyMe’s “I Can Only Imagine” is the best-selling, most-played contemporary Christian song since the invention of the radio. Written by a Texan named Bart Millard who fell into singing and songwriting after a high school injury ended his football dreams. Millard’s life story, culminating in the composition of the song, is the subject of this polished, faith-based drama named after it, a movie that caters to Christians and other people who enjoy wholesome stories about redemption.

I Can Only Imagine is based on the life story of Bart Millard. After living a traumatic childhood caused by an abusive father , young Bart finally reaches the last straw and storms out of his Texas home, leaving everything behind to distance himself from his toxic dad and to chase his dream of a musical career. Bart's story of how the band started and what led him to write the chart-topping single, I Can Only Imagine, is an inspiring journey of redemption, hope, and forgiveness. Unlike most Christian films this is not preachy and the acting is good.   

The actor in the starring role, J. Michael Finley, is spot on believable  & since he's a Broadway actor/singer he can sing quite well. Dennis Quaid, as the abusive father, and Trace Adkins, as the manager of the band, add to an excellent cast. . It's a down-home type of movie that doesn't depend on special effects but on good story-telling. The richness of the color photography is pleasant in this day of hyper-CGI stuff   

This movie will touch your heart, move you to tears and have you singing out loud. Take your family to see this movie, it's a good one. My wife saw it with me and thoroughly enjoyed it.