This film review is written by Suzi Edmonds – my mommy dearest! Enjoy!
When my daughter (Domestic Geek Girl) Gingi told me she had a movie to review that she didn’t think she’d be able to watch, I volunteered to help. Since I am the original couch potato, and love to watch movies that spotlight family, love and faith, I thought this would be a good one to cut my teeth on.
Full disclosure, I barely glanced at the description of the film before I sat down to watch. All I got was ‘singers…cancer…death…
Joey and Rory Feek had a very successful singing career. They were at the top of their game, had a wonderful farm outside Nashville and were expecting their first child. They decided to take a year off to just enjoy a slower paced life and prepare for the new baby that was due in Feb. Because they were so popular in the Country music scene, Rory started documenting their lives through a blog and the constant video he took of his wife and their life. That point there, is the biggest proof of God working in their lives. They thought they were just keeping in contact with fans, and recording their quiet life for themselves and their family…little did they know it would also document a sharp turn into Joey’s battle with cancer.
The hurdles they went through before they reached the end of their two year ordeal started with the home birth of their baby girl. Indiana was born with a midwife in attendance. She was healthy and had a wonderful introduction to her mom…but then something went wrong. It wasn’t the baby, but Joey who had a medical emergency. She was rushed to the hospital and had to have surgery. It was during this visit to the hospital that Indiana was checked out too, and it was found that she has Down Syndrome. Rory was in tears over the fate of his wife and how he was going to break the news to Joey when she came out of surgery. That’s when we first get a real look at the mettle this woman was blessed with. Her love shows in her face, she told her husband, ‘THIS is the baby God wanted for us’. For the next two years we see how this beautiful little bundle of joy keeps that smile on her mom’s face. Soon after, Joey gets her first diagnosis of cancer.
This movie is beautifully filmed. It constantly looks like a it’s being shot as a Hallmark greeting card of ‘old fashioned Christmas’, or ‘life in the Country’. Just gorgeous shots of the area and the people who make up the large family/friend circle the Feek’s surround themselves with. It’s edited beautifully and uses Joey’s lovely, old fashioned ‘country’ singing voice to accent and spotlight so many poignant moments.
During her final round of treatment, Joey recorded an album of her favorite Hymns. I would really love to buy this collection, since one of the songs she sings is “It is Well With my Soul”, a song by Horatio Spafford, a distant relative of mine. The song perfectly fits with what Joey was going through. She always put God first, and everything else fell into place and gave her the peace and joy that kept her going.
If you love this duo, or good old fashioned country music, or want to see a family movie that puts God at the center of their lives and loves, this is a film to watch. If I could be even a fraction the woman Joey was, I’d be a success at life. They may have used creative editing to cut out the worst of her ordeal, but seeing her quiet, calm, almost serene countenance was inspirational.
Oh my goodness, what an inspiring woman and how sad to leave behind her daughter and life at only 40 years old! I am sure this movie is a tear jerker, but now I want to watch it. Thanks for sharing your review!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
It is a very bittersweet story. They don’t rely on the sadness to stress the loss, it’s the JOY that sells it!
Not sure if I am actually going to see this film… I am waaaay to soft when it comes to sad film! I cannot handle them at all… just your review made me all misty!
Her voice will bring you to tears…when she sings “It is well with my soul”…I totally lost it!
Wow, I usually avoid sad films, but this documentary sounds beautiful.
It is more inspiring than sad. The devastation is tempered by the love…but I did cry!!
This movie sounds both inspirational and sad at the same time. Thanks for the review!
It is!! Beautiful to look at too.
This movie sounds touching .Thanks for sharing.
https://makychurchill.blogspot.ca
Touching, lovely & a joy to watch & listen to.
I have to see this!
your review makes me want to see the movie…
Yeah, I think I need to watch it now too… maybe…. ugh! I try to avoid sad films! I cry way too easily at movies, and the fact that it is based on a real documentary makes it all the more potent!
This documentary seems very interresting and cool.
Kisses
I watched their story play out in the news. So sad, but lovely. I will definitely need to watch this movie.
I didnt realize that it was on the news.. man. I am out of the loop. Now I gotta watch this….
I had never even heard of them…not being a fan of most country music. They show actual news footage of a candlelight vigil. So touching.
this story is very emotionally
I’d love to know your opinion on my NEW REVIEW
have an happy day
kiss
I always avoid sad movies but this is the year of yes. So YES I am going to check it out 🙂
Hahaha, the sob at Hallmark commercials and tear up over old keepsakes and Christmas ornaments time of the year??? 😉
I swear I tear up everyday…what with the commercials, movies and such. I just need to remember to NOT watch late at night, or I end up with sinus trouble! lol.
It sounds beautiful! Must see. <3
Lovely review! I do know of Rory and Joey and there story is equal parts heart breaking and heart warming.
-Lauren
I didnt realize these folks were so well known!
bonito post, no he visto esta pelicula
HI Gingi’s mom! Great review. This is the type of movie my husband would love to watch. He loves family/faith movies. But I love how they didn’t abort the baby with Down Syndrome. I was stunned when I read the other day that 1 in 3 woman will have an abortion sometime in their lives! I had no idea! I’ll have to look this movie up.
Isnt it disgusting? I dont understand the mentality that says that killing a child if they arent a perceived level of perfection is okay. Ugh. So happy they brought this beautiful baby girl into the world!
I don’t think they knew ahead of time, but this couple would NEVER have aborted their child. There is a horrible trend in the ‘pro choice’ world to ‘get rid of’ the ‘less that perfect’…so sad. In France, they just banned a commercial showing happy smiling DS children…because it ‘might be painful’ for the many women who ‘choose to abort’. It’s insane. This movie illustrates the love these special children can bring.
Had not heard of their story until she was about to pass away–what a touching testament to a life well lived.
I loved reading this guest post by your mom, the review is so well written. She provides a great synopsis of the movie, without giving too much away. Though we know that the mom, unfortunately, develops cancer, there’s still much to know. This seems like a wonderful, eye awakening movie to truly cherish and appreciate our health, loved ones, and what we call our normal because anything can change within a blink of an eye. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you’re having the best week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
You hit the nail on the head Jalisa! Great comment and thank you so much for stopping by! <3 <3
I’ve never written a movie review, and was afraid I did give ‘too much away’…but tried to stick with what the synopsis told. The beauty of the film is the ongoing snapshot into the life of this family and their community. Thanks for your kind words.
I hadn’t even heard of them until she was sick and it was being posted on social media. It was very heartbreaking to read about. Love the guest post idea by the way. 🙂
Man, it seems everyone has heard of this couple! I feel so out of the loop….
Great review. I’ve never heard of this movie.
;D
Esse filme deve ser muito bom!
Ótima sexta!
Beijo! ^^
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Congrats to your mommy for the amazing film review! Baci, Valeria – Coco et La vie en rose FASHION & BEAUTY
So lovely!
I would like to see this film!!!
Kisses, Paola.
If you do, please do let me know what you think! <3
I haven’t seen this movie but I will for sure
xx
https://theonethattravels.wordpress.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_zn7IqrAY1I44bRuN6dH-Q
Awesome! Let me know what you think!
love this post! i hope you have an amazing day 😀
mfashionfreak♥blog
Beautiful sharing, dear! Have a great week! xoxo
You too sweetie!!!
I am way too soft to watch these kind of movies, tho. I still cry while watching Bambi, see what I mean.
xox
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
Your Mom did a great job on the review of this movie. I have followed their story through the news and social media but only know the basics. This movie sounds like it is a good reflection of who they are and their lives together.
LaToya
http://www.toyastales.blogspot.com
Yeah, my mom did super! I am planning on putting her to work more often now, haha! 😉
Lovely! Will love to see this movie, thanks for sharing.
tessyonyia.com
maybe i will watch it:)
Let me know if you do! <3
Oh wow, yes I bet you need the tissues. But films like this make you appreciate what you do have in your life. Great review.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Thanks for all the kind words from everyone re my review…I was afraid I’d mess this up royally. *whew*
Great review, thanks. This sounds like a tough, but beautiful movie that I hope I can get through.
Oh so awesome how you and your mom write reviews!
http://www.jeannieinabottleblog.com
Yeah, I have been trying to get her to write on my blog for some time now, haha! <3