Flywheel

Posted by Admin

Direction: Alex Kendrick

Genre: Christianity

Year of Release: 2003

"Without your flywheel, you’re not going anywhere", says Max, the head mechanic of Jay Austin Motors. He says this as he tries to revive the engine of the classic convertible that Jay Austin just purchased.

And it is probably this line that reverberates throughout the entirety of the film.

The movie opens with Jay Austin moving a vintage car into his motor shop garage. The excitement in his face could clearly be seen – he was like a boy who just tasted his first candy. However, the car does not run and so he asks Max to fix it.

While Jay seems to be a hardworking man, his relationships do not seem to be getting any better – he neglects his son (who likewise professes not to be like his dad when he grows up) and he frowns upon his wife and her opinions. He thinks twice about attending church service and he fakes his tithe offerings. Most of all, Jay has the reputation of selling used cars by marking it up higher than what is acceptable and by holding back information about the car that could ultimately lower its value.

Such compromises finally caught up with him. With debts he had with the bank, a cunning reputation, and crumbling relationships – even Jay had to admit "I don’t even like myself".

I have always looked forward to million-dollar Hollywood movies – I make it a point to keep an eye on whether the production is clean, the acting sincere and the script well-crafted. With a bevy of films to choose from and with much exposure to such, how does a low-budget film like Flywheel fare?

Like a breath of fresh air. A whiff of the morning breeze.

The word of God, His promises applied to modern-day predicaments and concerns – this is what Flywheel attempts to convey to its viewers. His miracles are not confined to the parting of the Red Sea, we can see His miracles in our lives even to this day. That the Bible and its principles are not relevant to the times is bunk.

And not to make it sound like a fairy tale, the film shows how the main character had to deal with the consequences of his sins. But where there is repentance, forgiveness and true faith in Jesus, there is a bountiful life that awaits His children.

Before the widely acclaimed Facing The Giants, there was Flywheel. This film is the first by Sherwood Pictures. With only US$ 20,000 to finance this project, and the cast portrayed mostly by members of the Sherwood Baptist Church, pastors Alex and Stephen Kendrick took a leap of faith and produced what would be the first of a series of quality Christian movies.

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