The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry

2008 "What he teaches you...will last forever."
6.9| 1h36m| PG| en| More Info
Released: 27 April 2008 Released
Producted By: Christiano Film Group
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.sperrymovie.com/
Synopsis

The lives of twelve year old buddies Dustin, Albert, and Mark, sharing a carefree existence in the summer of 1970, suddenly changes when Dustin makes an unexpected friend after cutting the lawn of 75 year old Jonathan Sperry. As the old man shares lessons in faith with the preteen trio, a spiritual transformation occurs.

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Reviews

Redwarmin This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place
StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
Plustown A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.
AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
bkoganbing Upon watching this film which has Gavin MacLeod in the title role, Robert Guillame as a grumpy neighbor and absolutely no one else you would know, I hit the internet to see if one Jonathan Sperry 1895-1970 actually existed. I found lots of commentary but no article in something like Wikipedia or other sources talking about a real person. I see the credits list nothing based on a biography or autobiographhy. So what are the brothers Christiano handing us here.The problem with a lot of Christian filmmaking is many times it exists in a vacuum. That's a problem not limited to religious themed movies either. In this case it is set in 1970 when all kinds of history I well remember from the time was going on. Not a single reference to anything happening in the real world is made. The story is how a kindly old Christian man played by MacLeod sort of organizes an unofficial Sunday School in his living room for the neighborhood and the impact he has on them. The coda has them all leading exemplery Christian lives in 2008 when this film was released.Did the protagonist exist or his disciples? We are left to wonder. For the evangelical they will not question it. It's not a bad bit of filmmaking. MacLeod and his young disciples give good performances. But adding that coda on to make it real is intellectually dishonest and the Christiano brother know it.For the church audiences only.
lagudafuad The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry is a subtle movie, that goes ever so smoothly that you never miss a step, it is not filled with the action, and special effects that most believes is required to make a good movie. Here is a movie that just drives off at a pace that it keeps to the very end, driving its message of love and the efforts of one man, whose life was a total testimony of what Christ expects from us when he gave us the great commission.The movie has high ratings from critics, and that made me skeptical, wanting to stay away from it because I know that critics don't really like Christian movies because they see it as a source of propaganda. I felt, "here is a movie that they like probable the message is heavily watered down" but that was not the case in this movie, from the set go it started to preach Christ and it ended with Christ.The movie plot is about a 75 year old named Jonathan Sperry (Gavin MacLeod) in the 70s who befriend a 12 year old boy named Dustin (Jansen Panettiere) and his friends Albert (Frankie Ryan Manriquez) and Mark (Allen Isaacson). Jonathan during his time with the boys taught them about Christ, built them up in Christ and used them to touch the lives of those around them, from a bully to a lonely neighbor.The movie does have some little faults; the kid actors were all not in form, because the class of acting that they delivered was way off base. The adult actors on the other hand did a fine job. Then there is the setting and the dressing, it was said that the movie was set in the 70s but it looked more like the 80s to me, but that is my view. The movie directing was done Rich Christiano and the movie was written by him and his brother Dave Christiano. The two are the owners of Five & Two Pictures, who were also the producers of the 2002 Sci-Fi dramedy Christian movie Time Changer.Here is a Christian movie that many like, and it is for a good reason too, it talks about Christ, and the movie leaves an image in your heart, of a man who spent his life showing the love of Christ to as much as he canHere is a movie for you and the family.www.lagsreviews.com
dan grissom I just got movie from my aunt and this has been the most enjoyable movie of this year. I has a strong teaching message with a very good story line with young kids and old men. I have never written for a movie before and this one really compelled me to do so since it changed the way I think and deal with stuff in my life. I realized that movies at times are not just for fun but to leave you with a message which can help you in directions of your life. well this movie just does about the same. the cast is simple and dialogs really have a meaning hidden which want you to watch more and learn. the classic American theme is presented which is different than movies out today you really don't get to see much of those today. I highly recommend this movie to any age group.
radioflyer68 Here you're going to read a lot of unfair commentary on this film that is largely based on hatred of basic Christian values. That's come to be expected and that point is even made in the film. If you want to be entertained by a family friendly comedy about a kid who learns a valuable life lesson(in an unexpected way) without having to worry about the obligatory negatives of the average theatrical release then you won't be disappointed. I think you'll find as I did a great story and surprisingly professional grade acting among the young cast members and outstanding performances among the senior members. I was surprised by the quality of this film and I expect you will be too.