A strong performance from lead actress Lindsay Pulsipher carries this picture from start to finish.
The faith-based film from director Harold Cronk, who helped write the screenplay together with Jennifer Dornbush, tells the tale of Amber - played by Pulsipher - a widowed mother struggling to raise her daughter after the death of her husband on the battlefield in Afghanistan. That tragic loss, and the emotional and financial travails that follow, leads to despair and tests Amber's Christian faith.
While she initially turns away from God, her church fellowship never turns its back on her. Through their support, and that of race car driver/love interest Cody, played by Canadian actor Andrew Walker, Amber ultimately reconciles herself to the death of her husband and comes back to the faith.
Though tied to country music - the film's title comes from a Rascal Flatts' song by the same name - stock car racing and the military, this movie is really about the protagonist's emotional and spiritual journey and the faithfulness of God, even through the most difficult ordeal. In fact, the film opens with Amber's husband in Afghanistan and later features just one flashback of the attack that claims his life. That is the extent of the military scenes, so this is not a war movie. Harold Cronk is, however, donating 5% of the profits to the charity Disabled American Veterans.
The supporting cast, which includes Robin Givens, former NFL running back LaDainian Tomlinson - in his acting debut - and Kim Delaney as Amber's prickly and prying mother-in-law, does a generally strong job. Walker, who plays in a lot of Hallmark Channel movies, seemed to be mimicking Tom Cruise mannerisms in several scenes, and doing it well; he comes across as a likeable and nonthreatening wannabe boyfriend to our heroine. Eleven year old Makenzie Moss puts in an admirable performance in a big role as Amber's nine-year old daughter, Bree, showing impressive range for a young actress.
In a word, nearly everything works in this movie and it stays true to real-life Christianity, where we believers at times face difficulties that can challenge our faith. It also manages to do so without ever coming across as "preachy", like faultfinders often say of Christian cinema. Christian Film Blog gives God Bless the Broken Road a 7.5 out of 10 and recommends you check it out on this opening weekend.