‘Extraordinary’ Review: Running the race of marriage for a Christian audience
Based on the true story of Dr. David Horton and his wife Nancy, Extraordinary, begins with Horton’s desire to continue extreme running with a cross country marathon despite his age and medical concerns. The journey of Extraordinary is really about the long winding road of marriage, the emotional struggles and never quitting.
Leland Klassen plays David alongside October Baby‘s Shari Rigby portrays his wife. Kirk Cameron (Fireproof, Growing Pains) plays a Christian radio host who almost mocks Horton into “doing the impossible” 64-day ultra-marathon after David and Nancy agree to disagree. Karen Abercrombie (War Room) is Nancy’s closest friend, a voice of reason and. like in War Room, a “scene stealer” in the film.
David and Nancy’s marriage may be torn apart as he heads out on the road to seek out what truly defines his life.
Dave’s health creates a topic for bonding during his marathon with a Russian runner named Sergei (Chris Ashworth) who doesn’t know God or even the Bible. Nancy tries to find purpose and a reason for pressing on in Dave’s absence.
Ashworth (The Wire, Sneaky Pete) surprised with some really good scenes and comic relief (“your chubby little furnace” is so quotable) as he even mocks Dave for picking up little pieces of trash on the journey.
The urgent prayer scene and Dave’s bargaining with God is both cliche and inspiring. Sergei saves the scene and the remark about “lightening the load” could preach on any given Sunday.
It should be no surprise that the Horton project came out of Liberty University, becoming the first film from Liberty’s Cinematic Arts, he taught there for over three decades. The film may not completely live up to the tagline: “Behind every good man is an extraordinary woman” through storytelling or Rigby’s performance, but it is what Dave ultimately comes to grip with and embraces.
Writer and director Scotty Curlee said: “This is a story of perseverance, pushing yourself beyond what you’re capable of. Dave’s life is amazing and inspiring. But there is also Nancy, holding things together, and a number of students who have been impacted by Dave’s encouragement. I was one of those students. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Dave and Liberty for the impact that they had on my life.”
Made for the Christian faithful, Extraordinary does offer up a biopic that needed to be told and shared.
Overall Extraordinary earns 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars for the target audience. Compared to the big budget Hollywood features and Oscar films, Extraordinary will be called “Plain” or “Below Average” as the faith and religious message won’t resonate. Truth is in the middle.
Curlee’s film has some moments and is encouraging, but limited in its Christian perspective. If it were NOT true, it would NOT be believable at all in a 2018 culture which abandons marriage at the drop of a hat.
Find out more and connect:
Movie Website: http://extraordinarymovie.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/extraordinarymovie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/runtomarriage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extraordinarymovie
Interviews on The Brandon Jones show with Shari Rigby – click HERE writer/director Scotty Curlee HERE