Je n'ai pas honte

This movie is getting a lot of hate. It has not even been released on the big screen everywhere... Maybe the story is told in a wrong way, but look past that. Despite it being based on a real event, I somewhat forgot I was watching a real story. The movie had this cheerful point where the world can be better, and then the sad ending... Left me sad for days and I don't get sad often. Just look past the untold story or the religious part and you will get a wonderful movie more worthy of what it got. I recommend this movie to everyone to be honest. It does have its down moments, but ultimately, this movie was great. Has an impactful story and it looks completely realistic. I don't remember seeing any clichés or anything. It looks all normal and fun. Might leave you heartbroken at the end, but it is still worth watching.

On April 20, 1999, in Littleton, Colorado, two Columbine High School students, seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, murdered 12 students and 1 teacher at their school and injured 21 others in the deadliest U.S. school shooting to date. The first of the students killed was 17-year-old senior Rachel Scott, who was eating lunch with a fellow student just outside the school. The film "I'm Not Ashamed" (PG-13, 1:52) is Rachel's story. The script by Philipa Booyens, Robin Hanley, Kari Redmond and Bodie Thoene doesn't shy away from the buildup to the shooting, but this isn't primarily a story of tragedy. It's a story of faith. In most ways, Rachel Joy Scott (Masey McLain) was a typical high school girl. She had supportive friends, but she was insecure. She was attracted to one of her classmates, but lacked the confidence to pursue her crush. She had struggles at home and sometimes did things that got her in trouble with her parents, but she wasn't really a "bad" kid. She had hopes and dreams, but couldn't see what life had in store. And she kept a journal, which forms the basis for the narrative of this film, plus first-hand accounts about Rachel's life and the circumstances surrounding her death… only weeks before she would have graduated. (Note: Rachel isn't the Columbine victim who was the subject of the book "She Said Yes".) As the film opens, Rachel's divorced mother, Beth (Terri Minton), is having trouble supporting herself and her five kids. (Rachel is the middle child.) Beth eventually remarries, but she and her new husband, Larry (John Newberg), have problems steering Rachel toward making positive choices in her young life, as when Rachel sneaks out at night to attend parties with her friends (Victoria Staley, Taylor Kalupa and Emma Elle Roberts). Rachel is being raised in a household of strong Christian faith, but doesn't really embrace that faith until after spending the summer before her senior year with family in Louisiana. Even when she makes her family's faith her own, she struggles to live according to the Bible. She seems more concerned about pursuing a romantic relationship with Alex (Cameron McKendry), the BMOC in her drama class, and she shies away from discussing her increasing faith with him. Eventually, her commitment to Christ strengthens to the point that it drives a wedge between her and her closest friends. Yet, she still continues seeking, learning, growing in her faith, and finding ways to live out that faith, such as when she determinedly befriends and helps a homeless teen named Nathan (Ben Davies). As Rachel's story unfolds, two of her classmates, Eric Harris (David Errigo, Jr.) and Dylan Klebold (Cory Chapman) bond over their shared hatred for high school culture and the world in general. With Harris taking the lead, the two teens begin discussing acting out their frustrations through violence and plan what became the Columbine Massacre. As their story careens toward its tragic collision with Rachel's, the focus stays on Rachel's spiritual journey and director Brian Baugh handles Rachel's final moments tastefully and with compassion (although he does take some liberties with a few of the factual details). This is an inspiring and tragic story, with appeal beyond the Christian community. The Columbine Massacre is an event of ongoing interest and relevance, so there's understandable interest in a film set against that backdrop. This movie stays just this side of exploitation, but does indulge in a few brief moments of melodrama. The story of Rachel and her classmates is engagingly and realistically told and generally well acted. However, regardless of your personal religious beliefs (or lack thereof), Rachel's struggles with issues of faith and personal conduct should be relatable to most Movie Fans, and Rachel makes for a very sympathetic character. With built-in drama and universal themes, "I'm Not Ashamed" rises above most faith-based films in both appeal and quality. "B+"

So many Christian based films are cheesy and done on an obvious budget, not so with this movie. From beginning to end, every scene is so well done. I am inspired to be a better person and a better Christian. Rachel's struggle is made real. I struggle. Therefore I relate to the problems she faced. I wish I'd seen this movie when I was in high school, I may have handled things differently. The cast did an amazing job! I found each and every character to be believable and inspiring. And as a mom I feel the burden my children face at school. The world gets more and more complicated, we need good role models and prayer in and around our schools. I hope everyone that sees this feels the motivation to make a difference.

We watched an early preview of I'm Not Ashamed. Don't assume this is your typical faith based film. The treatment of Rachel Joy Scott was taken from her personal journals discovered after she passed away. Her mother and family have worked tirelessly for 16 years to tell her amazing story. With all the trash we see on TV and movies right now this is a refreshing break that transports us into her life. Her true story covers topics like teen drinking, smoking, peer pressure and bullying in a very real way. The idea that someone that ultimately claimed her faith at her final moment could be so much like most of us gives us HOPE. There are several prophetic events that were revealed after the Columbine event that you can't logically explain away - watch for them...they really happened. Well done to the entire cast and crew who made an amazing piece of art on a modest budget.

If you are a Christian and like movies about Christianity, then "I'm Not Ashamed" is probably worth your time. If you don't fall into this category, however, then you probably won't appreciate or like the movie...it's that simple. This movie is a dramatization of the life of one of the victims of the infamous Columbine Massacre back in 1999. Rachel Joy Scott was a Christian girl who died that day and the film shows her progression from a casual Christian to an 'out and proud Christian'...and how that ultimately led to be being singled out for murder (something the media at the time de-emphasized) as well as the impact this young girl had on others' lives. It's all very sweet...as well as very disturbing and sad...at the same time. I think the biggest reason I appreciated the film is that while it showed a recreation of the events on the day of the Columbine High School shooting, it did NOT show very much--just the killing of Scott and shooting of a boy she was with at the time (whether or not he died as well, I do not know). The sum total of all this is oddly inspirational and there were no dry eyes in the audience at the end (hint--take along some Kleenex). I also appreciate how this film and quite a few others have recently targeted the Christian audience--giving them some family-friendly films that are well made and worth seeing. But, considering the subject matter, it is NOT a film for young kids.