Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe, faces a personal crisis at the peak of his success. As his world unravels, he struggles with his beliefs and inner demons while seeking a path through adversity.
For a film I expected to be saccharine or maudlin, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. “I Can Only Imagine 2” transcends genre and delivers a narrative that speaks to us all. Though a Christian-centered film, it does not deliver its message in a heavy-handed manner. It is a poignant, uplifting movie that addresses some hard truths that block the way for many of us.
John Michael Finley as Bart (Bartholomew) Millard does a fine job reprising his lead role from “I Can Only Imagine,” released in 2018. The sequel, also based on a true story, centers on the exploits of Bart and his son Sam (Sammy Dell).
The film opens with Bart, the kid from Greenville, Texas, leading the group MercyMe and winning Top Christian Artist in 2018, one of the group’s high points. Challenges ensue, however, as Bart has to return to reality.
Sophie Skelton plays Shannon, Bart’s supportive wife, though the strain of the music business takes a toll on the couple nonetheless. Long periods of time on the road touring have not made things easy. “Dad, why do you always miss the good stuff?” a very young Sam asks Bart, who can’t supply much of an answer. It’s a question to which many of us can relate, given the inherent conflict between career success and family, so often a part of life in modern society.
Not long after, Sam is diagnosed early in his life with Type 1 diabetes and nearly dies as a result. For essentially all of his adolescent years, Sam struggles to keep ahead of his insulin-dependent disease, with mixed results.
While Christianity is clearly on display, humanity shines through in the movie. Persons of all faiths and doubters alike will relish this stirring story about emotion and the ability to translate those feelings into everyday life. When the band resumes its touring schedule, Shannon gives Bart the green light to take teenage Sam along, hoping to bring a disaffected father and son closer together.
The new opening act for MercyMe’s tour is a solo performer named Tim (Milo Ventimiglia), who starts with a somewhat folksy style until he is urged to shake things up and better engage the crowds at packed arenas. After hearing Sam play guitar, Tim asks him to join his one-man show, with the two making a good team.
Trace Akins as Scott Brickell provides well-earned gravitas as the band’s manager, his deep voice invariably demanding respect. Dennis Quaid makes brief flashback appearances as Bart’s dad, both of whom would agree that the two had a complicated relationship. As with many such family members, interactions mellow with age.
In the middle of the closing credits, Brickell shares a short conversation with his father, which sums up many a father-son encounter. “Say, Dad, do you ever want to talk about your feelings?” His dad responds, “Not really.” Brickell closes the dialogue with “Yeah, me neither.” Kind of funny, kind of real, but it certainly hits close to home.
The final scene with Tim – no longer opening for MercyMe because of cancer symptoms that have sidelined him – listening to Bart sing the song he mostly wrote is superb, fittingly performed at Red Rocks, outside Denver, a venue unlike any other.
Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, and everything in between, life is filled with unexpected diversions, both good and bad. In the end, Bart and Sam find a way to accommodate the conflicting demands. “I’m so proud of you – you’re the best part of me, son,” Bart says to Sam. “Thank you for showing me the way back.”
Directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle, and written by McCorkle, “I Can Only Imagine 2” is well worth the time spent. The production values are excellent, with crisp cinematography that enhances the clarity of a touching story. The film tugs on the emotional heartstrings until they inevitably give way, no matter how cynical the viewer.
Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD May 5th
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