I Can Only Imagine

Name: I Can Only Imagine
Genre: Drama, Music, Family
Released: March 16, 2018
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 30
Cast: Alexander Dominguez, Brody Rose, Cloris Leachman, Cole Marcus, David Norona

2018

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 69 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 69 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: March 16, 2018 | PG

Starring: Alexander Dominguez, Brody Rose, Cloris Leachman, Cole Marcus, David Norona, Dennis Quaid, Erik Ashlock, Gianna Simone, Gina D. Brewer, J. Michael Finley, J.R. Cacia, Jason Burkey, Joy Brewer, Londyn Anderson, Madeline Carroll, Mark Furze, O'Shay Brooks, Priscilla Evans Shirer, Randy McDowell, Rhoda Griffis, Rick Burgess, Taegen Burns, Tanya Clarke, Trace Adkins, Trinity L Beals

Summary: I Can Only Imagine - it’s the song that brings ultimate hope to so many … often in the midst of life’s most challenging moments. Amazingly, the song was written in mere minutes by MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard. In reality, those lyrics took a lifetime to craft. Although he found faith at a young age, life wasn’t easy for Bart. He leanedI Can Only Imagine - it’s the song that brings ultimate hope to so many … often in the midst of life’s most challenging moments. Amazingly, the song was written in mere minutes by MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard. In reality, those lyrics took a lifetime to craft. Although he found faith at a young age, life wasn’t easy for Bart. He leaned into an active imagination and his love of music as escapes from a troubled home life. As he grew older, Bart turned to football in hopes of somehow connecting with his abusive father. But a career-ending injury—combined with the vision of a teacher who saw unlimited potential—set Bart on a musical pathway. Chasing a dream while running from broken relationships with his father and Shannon, his childhood sweetheart, Bart hits the road in an old, decrepit tour bus with his new band MercyMe—named for his grandmother’s favorite expression. With the guidance of a grizzled music-industry insider, the band begins a journey none of them could ever have imagined. … Expand

Director: Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin

Genre(s): Drama, Music, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

James Ward

Mar 15, 2018

The Erwins pound home their message, but they do with such skill and accomplished filmmaking the movie never becomes heavy-handed or too preachy. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Mar 21, 2018

Art can be affirmation, but affirmation cannot be art. Read full review

The Guardian Leslie Felperin

Aug 14, 2018

For all the faith-based platitudes baked into the script, it has to be conceded that directing brothers Andrew and Jon Erwin steer the ship steadily and draw out sincere and persuasive performances from Finley, who really can sing gloriously well, and Quaid, who even with a now ravaged visage is still just as dangerous, compelling and sexy as ever. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Mar 15, 2018

It’s a drab, emotionally flat film. Read full review

Robert Abele

Mar 16, 2018

The movie has too much on its plate in selling its paint-by-numbers uplift. Read full review

Jesse Hassenger

Mar 16, 2018

This is an interesting idea, executed with a reductive, tin-eared understanding of what constitutes art to go along with a faith-based movie’s reductive, tin-eared understanding of what constitutes entertainment. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Mar 16, 2018

Like so many faith-based efforts, I Can Only Imagine suffers from a terminal case of self-importance. Read full review

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User Reviews

SadieP

Mar 20, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Christian movies sadly are usually a disappointment but this one is not! Not a film full of action, etc, etc, etc - just a true story about a family & of God's grace.
The story is based upon the life of Bart Millard of the band Mercy Me, and his '90's #1 breakout song, 'I Can Only Imagine.' Bart was raised by an abusive father and fell into singing originally because of a football injury. As soon as he could, to get away from his father, he hit the road, joined a band and through various experiences wrote the most amazing song. There was always an uncompleted piece of his life and forgiveness & healing were an integral part of Barts story. Dennis Quaid is great playing Barts father, he is a man you sure can dislike! Troy Akins plays the band manager, also good in his role. Learned a special classy thing about Amy Grant through this journey, very cool.
Started a little slowly but one it clicked, it clicked - emotional for sure! Some great scenery, music and sharing of a life story.
Have heard a few interviews in the past with Bart both about this film & about life/music in general - great guy! Go to youtube & check out: 'Even If' or 'Dear Younger Me' - what a great lyricist!… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Hunterman

Mar 21, 2018

Great film. Best faith-based film since the Passion of Christ. I felt all emotions during the film. In the end it gave a message of hope.

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

goatgirl

Mar 19, 2018

I thought the movie was fantastic. It is a perfect movie of hope for everyone. I loved the writing, acting and cinematography. I read Bart Millard's book and the movie does a great job getting all his life events into a 2 hour movie. I am telling all my friends to see the movie.

13 of 15 users found this helpful132

Darklion74

Mar 19, 2018

A solid film, not merely a "faith film" that does not get preachy, and shows a surprise or two without going too much into the "Christian Movie" formula, a fact that works greatly in its favor. A crossover musical hit that is now getting it's own equally deserving crossover film. There isA solid film, not merely a "faith film" that does not get preachy, and shows a surprise or two without going too much into the "Christian Movie" formula, a fact that works greatly in its favor. A crossover musical hit that is now getting it's own equally deserving crossover film. There is a reason why it surprised people opening weekend.… Expand

10 of 12 users found this helpful102

MondayQB

Mar 17, 2018

A lovely film that brings home the healing powers of faith. Please do not fall for the atheist diatribes against anything that remotely approaches Christianity - this is a solidly well acted movie that all but the close minded will enjoy.

12 of 20 users found this helpful128

rokdog49

Mar 18, 2019

When the Hollywood critics rip a faith-based film, I consider that a plus.
Does this movie deliver a real life message with reasonably believable acting and characters. The answer is a resounding yes. For whatever reason, if a movie doesn't follow some pre-conceived Hollywood notion of howWhen the Hollywood critics rip a faith-based film, I consider that a plus.
Does this movie deliver a real life message with reasonably believable acting and characters. The answer is a resounding yes. For whatever reason, if a movie doesn't follow some pre-conceived Hollywood notion of how it's done, it fails. Not so as I Can Only Imagine tells the story well enough. If you feel emotionless during this, I feel sorry for you.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KyoshiLoneheart

Mar 16, 2018

Another by the numbers, horrible Christian ego film that serves one purpose: To confirm to christians in their mind that they have the right religion

5 of 28 users found this helpful523

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