RUST - A Movie about Fire, Friendship and Faith

I recently had the opportunity to view a DVD screener of the amazing film RUST, which was released in October of 2011. The film stars Corbin Bernson of LA Law fame, in a faith-based film that will leave you inspired and entertained. Here's the blueprint:

As a midlife crisis of faith rocks his life's calling, longtime minister James Moore (Corbin Bernsen of "L.A. Law" fame) leaves his pastorate and returns to the place he called home half-a-lifetime ago. Very little has changed in the small farming town ... except for everything that he has ever known.

Jimmy's return coincides with the community attempting to heal from a recent tragic fire that killed an entire family and placed Jimmy's best childhood friend in a psychiatric prison as the presumed culprit. While Jimmy doesn't believe that Travis could be responsible for such a heinous crime, the local sheriff—another boyhood friend—is convinced they have the guilty party. Case closed.

In addition, Jimmy's elderly father wants nothing to do with his prodigal son. His sister is struggling with her disintegrated marriage. His nephew's generation seems lost and adrift. And the friends he left decades ago are whispering about why in heaven's name he would come back home.

Then there's his waning belief. Jimmy's pastoral mentor challenges him to not lose faith, but that counsel might be coming too late. How, Jimmy wonders, can he put his faith in a God that doesn't respond to his heart's cries?

Now, Jimmy must decide if he's willing to tackle seemingly insurmountable odds to prove that his instincts are correct about Travis' innocence. When no one is willing to help, will he run away from the challenge—just as he's always done, according to his disappointed father?

Corbin Bernsen brings a very personal film to life with RUST, a mystery of faith. The Hollywood veteran wrote, directed, and starred in the film, which he dedicated to his late father. Filmed on location in Kipling, Saskatchewan, RUST features real-life, small-town Canadians in key roles.

Will any good come from the ashes of this tragedy? When things look their bleakest, Travis reminds Jimmy that, "God has His plan ... you should know that better than anyone."

A unique story of friendship and calling, Rust is a mystery that will leave you seeking the power of grace, the beauty in sacrifice, and the hope of faith renewed.

RUST seems to be a quiet little film, one that didn't create a ton of buzz but that will open up a lot of discussion within your family. While Berson's character is not Catholic, many of the concepts of faith, of doubt, of true friendship and of redemption are universal to any religion. This film's PG rating makes it appropriate to share with older children and teens. At the RUST website, you'll find a lot of great information, including a Study Guide you can use to explore the themes of the film with your family, friends or parish group. The film is available now on DVD at Amazon or on Netflix.

I loved RUST and was very moved by not only Bernson's character, but especially the members of the community surrounding his return to his home and his faith. Since the filming was done in the Canadian town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, which is about as different from my hometown in California as anyplace I've ever seen before, the scenery in the movie was almost a secondary character to me. I'd love to hear from any of you who've had the opportunity to see RUST and hope you'll be able to enjoy this film with your family soon.

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Video Trailer