PRINCESS CUT

It is wonderful to see a movie that conveys a truly great romantic love story, one that honors God, the Author of love.  We see a romance centered on trust in His guidance and direction, exemplifying His values.  We see a highly likeable courtship that requires patience, chastity, modesty, honor, respect, trust, and strong family values, virtues all rooted in Christianity, attainable by the grace of God, provided through the Holy Spirit.

 

The culture depicted in PRINCESS CUT is both spiritual and regional, the refreshing brand of Christianity that we have previously caught glimpses of in the writings of Josh Harris, the music and lifestyle of Barlowgirl, the “wait for me” convictions of Rebecca St. James, and the love story between Joel Smallbone of For King & Country and his wife, Moriah Peters.  While the level of purity exonerated in this culture may seem foreign, even among devout Christians in certain regions of America, the beauty of the relationships it yields is impossible to earnestly dispute.  Young singles interacting and connecting with each other, in the way this movie glamorizes is inspirational, encouraging, and illustrative of the highest level of decency upon which singles can manifest their sexuality.  Single hearts that desire true romance will yearn for the genuine beauty of the relationship depicted in this movie.

 

The central protagonist, Grace, is played by an amazingly talented actress named Ashley Bratcher, whose Carolina accent and wholesome smile make her perfect for this role of a Carolina girl who radiates chastity.  Grace is always modestly dressed, and conducts herself in a ladylike manner.  Her Christian faith is at the center of her life, and she lets her light shine.  She seeks someone to love, someone who is marriage oriented, shares her love for God, and who will cherish her virtues. 

 

Rusty Martin, Sr. gives a powerful performance as Jim, Grace’s father, a devout Christian who shows love towards Grace, towards his wife, and towards his two sons.  He is faced with the challenge of genuinely wanting to see his daughter fall in love, yet an all too realistic awareness that there are few genuinely decent men out there who would truly treat her with the degree of respect and human dignity, fitting for a child of God.  Jim wisely advises Grace to trust in God’s timing for the right person to come around, while working on becoming all who she is meant to be, in Christ, in the meantime.  Jim considers it to be his sacred duty to protect his daughter’s chastity, while Grace shows loving trust and respect in her father’s good judgment on the matter.  This father/daughter dynamic may seem old fashioned to some, and completely foreign to others, but daughters who love and respect the fathers who love and cherish them become wives whose husbands are beyond grateful for the way his wife’s parents raised her.

 

Grace becomes a relatable character to all older siblings, who sometimes displace our anger onto our younger siblings, and say something hurtful that we deeply regret, the moment the words leave our mouths.   Grace has two younger brothers, and although loving towards them, has a brief moment in which she speaks very unkindly to the youngest brother, mad at something he did by accident.   Talented young actor Evan Brinkman plays Drew, the younger brother whose temporary emotional pain created by his sister’s harsh words is clearly radiated in his countenance.  The movie’s tone magnificently makes the viewer simultaneously feel for both Grace and Drew, at that moment, and sends a joyful sense of relief to the viewers, at the moment Grace and Drew reconcile, both being highly likeable characters, throughout the movie.

 

By God’s grace, Paul Munger, the writer, producer, and director has truly created an amazing movie with an excellent cast that also includes stellar performances from Joseph Gray, Jenn Gotzon, Cory Assink, and Kate MacCallum whose roles I will not go into detail about, in that I do not want to create any spoilers for this movie, available on Pureflix and DVD, that I highly recommend for all audiences of all ages, without exception.  For young single men and women in particular, this movie, by God’s grace, has the power to help put you on the path you are meant to be on, to lead you to the person who you are meant to be with.  It is definitely worth your time.