Courageous (2011)
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A group of law enforcement officers and a local laborer navigate personal crises and moral dilemmas while striving to become better fathers.
The story
After a harrowing incident involving a stolen truck, new deputy Nathan Hayes joins a team of officers in Albany, Georgia. The film explores the personal lives of these men, including a struggling immigrant worker, as they face various challenges. Following a tragic loss, one officer decides to forge a 'Resolution' to honor God and his family. The others join him in this commitment, leading to a series of personal transformations and moral tests that challenge their integrity and their roles as fathers in their community.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After a violent encounter with a thief, Nathan Hayes becomes a deputy in Albany, Georgia. He joins officers Adam Mitchell, Shane Fuller, and David Thomson, as well as a local laborer, Javier Martinez. Following the tragic death of Mitchell's daughter, he creates a 'Resolution' to be a better father. The other men join him in this commitment. The plot follows their individual journeys: Martinez faces a test of integrity regarding his job; Fuller is revealed to be stealing drugs to support his son; Thomson seeks to reconnect with his abandoned child; and Hayes works to mend his relationship with his daughter. The film culminates in a public declaration of their commitment to fatherhood. In the 'Legacy' version, the story continues ten years later, showing the men's continued growth and the resolution of their ongoing struggles.
- First release year
- 2011
- Runtime (minutes)
- 130
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Alex Kendrick
- Writers
- Alex Kendrick · writer; Stephen Kendrick · writer
- Cast and characters
- Alex Kendrick · Nathan Hayes; Ken Bevel · Shane Fuller; Kevin Downes · David Thomson; Ben Davies · not specified
- Genres
- drama; independent; Christian
- Themes
- fatherhood; faith; integrity; redemption
- Tone and mood
- inspirational; dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- law enforcement; religious; moral dilemma
- Content notes
- violence; drug content
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics but was well-received by Christian critics and audiences.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 43% · scale: percentage · review count: 21; Metacritic · score: 42 · scale: 100 · review count: 10
- Awards and nominations
- Movie Guide Awards · Most Inspiring Performance in Movies · 2011 · win; Movie Guide Awards · Most Inspiring Movie of 2011 · 2011 · win; San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival · Best of Festival · 2012 · win; San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival · Best Feature Film · 2012 · win; Epiphany Prize · Most Inspiring Movie · 2012 · win; Grace Award · Most Inspiring Performance in Movies · 2012 · win; Grace Award · Most Inspiring Performance in Movies · 2012 · win; Dove Award · Inspirational Film Of The Year · 2013 · win
- Production trivia
- The film was produced with a budget of $2 million and grossed over $35 million.; About half of the cast and crew were volunteers from Sherwood Baptist Church.; The Duggar family from TLC's 19 Kids and Counting were extras during a scene.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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