Twist of Faith

“Is home here now? Or was it where you were before?”

Excellent question posed in this 2013 film starring singer recently turned actress Toni Braxton and Canadian actor/producer/writer David Julian Hirsh. This film written by Janet Fattal, Joyce Gitlin and Stephen Tolkin exhibit the pros and positives in unifying spirituality and love to find healing in tragedy. Directed by English Paul A. Kaufman this film developed very carefully, slowly and predictably but in astounding gentleness and pastel colours.

Framed with precision and wonderful use of pinks and greens, viewers could feel safe with the content that was being offered to them. Although I would prefer more heart-rending grittiness and reality of events to be expressed in this film, it was made for television audiences and its message indeed was the most powerful to be articulated. The acting seemed a bit stifled and watered-down at times, but thanks to the lovely piano soundtrack and slow-moving flash-backs we were able to feel the true pain our main characters attempted to exhibit.

This is a story that takes one on a thought-provoking bridge that crosses the issues of race, religion and new love. It shouts that love is the only thing that matters and whispers that through tragedy and being lost, you can always be found again…

Braxton shines with her angelic singing and Hirsh’s piercing eyes conveys a man that is broken quite well. A decent film for the entire family to teach and inspire the true meaning of spirituality as opposed to the constraints found within religion and separation. J