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Especially in times like these, when every news report and every social media post seems to stir up more fear and confusion, the world could use a little more faith and hope. And that’s the message that I Still Believe, the latest film by the Erwin Brothers, directors of I Can Only Imagine, wants to share with audiences.
I Still Believe tells the story of Christian musician Jeremy Camp (K.J. Apa). As a new student at Calvary Chapel Bible College, he meets Melissa Henning (Britt Robertson). Though he knows from the beginning that they’re meant to be together, their relationship is complicated—so when she ends up hospitalized and receives a difficult diagnosis, he has a choice to make. Instead of walking away, he follows his heart, standing by the woman he loves, always believing that God will bring about a miracle. And as she battles the illness, he vows to tell her story to bring others hope.
Those who aren’t familiar with Jeremy and Melissa’s story might want to keep this in mind: guests of the screening were given packs of tissues as they entered the theater—and not because anyone was worried about viruses. And, considering the constant background sounds of sniffling, they didn’t go to waste. I Still Believe takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster, following the couple from their meeting and young romance to Melissa’s heartbreaking diagnosis to Jeremy’s unfaltering faith and devotion—whether he’s doing radio interviews or asking concertgoers at crowded venues to pray for Melissa during a show. Their story will break your heart, but it will also touch it.
Melissa and Jeremy make an adorable young couple—super-sweet and starry-eyed—and though the drama can sometimes feel a little overdone, you just can’t help but love them and hope for the best as they face this battle together. Sadly, though, the story still feels like it’s missing something, and the message just doesn’t come through as powerfully or as coherently as it could. Jeremy keeps vowing to tell Melissa’s story and to use it to change lives, though it’s never really clear what message he’s trying to share. But the couple’s love, devotion, and faith despite the obstacles and the odds might just give you a little bit of hope.
In the midst of this challenging time around the world, I Still Believe does, admittedly, make for an exhausting experience. But it tackles some topics that we can all understand and relate to—and it also offers some hope in love and humanity in general.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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