I'm Not Him

This week’s film review is for the film, I’m Not Him, produced by Steven Grimaldi

The Plot

Jimmy Valentino has been saved by a miracle - at least that's what he believes. But when he uses his gift to help others, the world condemns him as dangerous and sacrilegious. With his life in peril once again, Jimmy needs another miracle... one that can't be questioned.

Review Questions

I’m Not Him, is a simple yet powerful film about faith and the miracles that the Creator of the universe delivers, according to His will and grace.

In a world that shuns God the Father and Jesus, we see Jimmy wrestle with his walk of faith due to the attitude of the world towards the universe’s Creator.

When praying, in the beginning, Jimmy mentions that all things are possible through God. This is a reference to a verse in Matthew 19:26, which says: But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I admire the portrayal of a biblical marriage. When Jimmy confides to his wife about a sign, she believes, stands by him and encourages him to follow his faith, especially when he was in doubt.

I admire how Jimmy pointed out that there is a difference between saying prayers and praying.

The simple diagram Jimmy drew of the Godhead coincides with the Bible. God, the Father at the top, as the ultimate power, Jesus, His Son, underneath God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, the Messenger, between Jesus and God and Jesus and God’s children. A simple diagram, but yet the power that is encased in the Godhead is rightly portrayed in the film as a power we cannot wrap our minds around.

Jimmy points out that some prayers are more important then others - using a bike as an example. I disagree, as I am reminded of the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6, that states, His will be done. If my simple prayer is according to God’s Will for me, then it will be done. For example: A bike for one children may be a luxury and that prayer may be delayed or go unanswered. While a bike to another child might be their only means to get to a nearby village to go to school and that might be answered. Now, I have no idea how this works, this is must me musing. At the end of the day - God’s will and timing are perfect, and He is just - so as Jimmy relayed to those he helped, we are called to trust in the Lord God of Israel. Jesus spoke about faith and how having faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains. Matthew 17:20 says: So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Mind boggling!

At some point Jimmy says he couldn’t quote much from the Bible. This reminds me of how my journey started with the Lord. I was praying and building a relationship with the Lord, long before I started studying His word on a daily basis. There was a seven year gap between prayer only and studying the Bible. Although Jimmy didn’t say direct quotes from the Bible he referenced scripture throughout the film. For example, he spoke of how Jesus said that we could do things even more powerful than he had done. John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

When Jimmy’s courage was buckling under the pressure, his wife reminded him that a light could not be put under a basket. He was to show his faith. This expression is referenced in Matthew 5:15, Mark 4:21, Luke 11:33.

I admire how Jimmy was adamant about giving the glory to God for the miracles that were happening. His humility also made him check that God truly was speaking to him. The sign he took as God speaking to him, reminded me of an occasion when I prayed about Bible cards I was thinking about making for an event. The sign I got left me crying, shaking, amazed and humbled.

I like how Jimmy pointed out that thanks and repentance play a significant part in prayer, without it becoming routine and redundant.

So did the film encourage my faith?

Yes, I was careful to not put too much thought into the special effects showing how God can communicate with us, but focused more on the fact that God does communicate with us in a variety of ways.

Would I change anything about the film?

Jimmy’s wife wishes him “Good Luck” several times. I’ve mentioned this phrase in my previous review and past ones. Luck and God don’t share the same space. It seems to be a phrase that is engrained in some people and it just automatically comes out, without meaning to disrespect God.

There was a reference to Christmas, which is not biblical and the context of asking in prayer, being like asking for gifts at Christmas. I wish this had not been in the film, as Christmas has nothing to do with prayers, Jesus or God the Father.

There were references to saints, and in the context it was in, it was not biblical. We are called saints in the Bible - the children of God, but the saints that were referenced in the film, was in the context of dead people who looked highly upon and are prayed to for help, which is not biblical. While we did not see Jimmy or anyone else praying to deceased believers, we did see scenes that conveyed that they (“saints”) were present on earth. The Bible says that no one has ascended to heaven, other than Jesus. John 3:13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. So I disregarded all of the information about the saints and the portrayal of their so called afterlife.

Other than that, I found the film generally uplifting and the reference to God’s miracles and our faith humbling.

SUMMARY

I’m Not Him, is a powerful film about how we are called to stand in our faith, even when what we are called to do is questioned, mocked or deemed a threat by the world. It reflects on our priorities here on earth and how that plays out in our daily lives. Are we mirroring in our lives what we say we believe in? Is our faith strong enough to stand the trials the scripture says it will go through? Are we walking the path God wants us to follow, no matter what obstacles the world tries to put in our way?

I watched I’m Not Him via www.christiancinema.com

Thank you for reading this review. Until next time - peace be with you.

NB! The links I reference for my films is the source I used, but it is not an endorsement of the entire film streaming company. I am sure this particular film can be found on various digital streaming companies.

Source for film thumbnail: www.christiancinema.com