Based on the Christian author's best-selling novel, it has prominent stars, gorgeous backdrops and a very challenging love story inspired by Old Testament Scripture.
First published in the 1990s, Redeeming Love has been a top-seller ever since - it's number one right now in several categories on Amazon - and it is finally coming to the silver screen this weekend. The book was written by novelist Francine Rivers, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the movie, and is loosely based on the Biblical book of Hosea.
Shot in South Africa, the story is set in Gold-Rush era California and follows the painful journey of a woman named Angel. Sold into prostitution as a child, she is still living out that horrible fate years later when she meets a young man named Michael Hosea, who sees past her tortured life experience and loves her deeply.
American actress Abigail Cowen and Britain's Tom Lewis play the young pair and they should benefit from a strong supporting cast that includes Nina Dobrev, Eric Dane and Famke Jannsen. There are several big names from the faith-based movie world behind the scenes, too, including producers David A.R. White and Michael Scott - whose Pinnacle Peak Pictures is one of the film's production companies - and Roma Downey in the capacity of executive producer.
Now then, Christian Film Blog has not watched the movie and does not plan to because, though we exist in part to support the Christian movie sector, the subject matter is very heavy and apparently fairly graphic (our colleagues at Movieguide reviewed it here), so not our cup of tea. We nevertheless hope that Redeeming Love performs well when it releases tomorrow - Friday, January 21st - on 1,800 screens nationwide, and with a massive existing audience thanks to the book, feel confident it will. The trailer below will give you a better feel for what to expect.