I’m In Love With a Church Girl MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: +3

Jeff Atkins (Ja Rule to his rap fans), Adrienne Bailon, Stephen Baldwin, Michael Madsen, T-Bone. Drama/romance. Written by Galley Molina. Directed by Steve Race.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Miles Montego (Ja Rule) is a retired high level drug trafficker who is now completely legitimate. Even though Miles has turned over a new leaf, the DEA can't seem to let him out of their sights. Miles' only downfall is that he is extremely loyal to his circle of friends and former colleagues who are not retired from the lucrative business. Struggling to keep on the right side of the law, Miles meets the one girl of his dreams but she's not the usual type of girl that he's used to dating. Vanessa (Adrienne Bailon) is a church girl in every sense of the word. God continues to chip away at Miles through struggles from his past, having to live up to his reputation, feelings of unworthiness, the death of his mother, federal charges, his friends being indicted, the strain on his relationship with Vanessa, almost losing her in a near fatal car accident, and finally the spiritual breakdown and one on one with God that brings Miles to his knees.

PREVIEW REVIEW: A PG-rated drama about an ex-drug trafficker who still hangs with his homeboys and is under the watchful eye of committed DEA agents? Well, it has been made for followers of faith-based entertainment, so there’s no raw language, no graphic sexual situations, no crude jokes, and the violence would be considered tame even for network TV. It’s sad to think that there are those given this info who would pass on the film. They have come to expect more unfriendly content with their movie-going fare, especially in this genre. It’s even sadder because should they not attend, they’ll miss a really well-made film, one that honestly deals with matters of faith, second chances and a spiritual conversion.

There’s a truth to the production, with things of the spirit being handled unabashedly, yet with a delicate cinematic touch. Aided by sensitive and convincing performances and well-paced direction, the production satisfies both as a movie and as a reminder that it’s never too late to change.

PG (the club life is seen, with drinking and women in tight-fitting skirts, but this and all the rest of the content is handled with discretion, merely hinting at the life Miles was into and slowing finding unsatisfying; there is some violence, but again, it is not graphic or in your face).

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Reverence Gospel Media