Seasons of Gray MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: +3

Andrew Cheney, Megan Parker, Akron Watson. Drama. Written by Sarah Stehlik. Directed by Paul Stehlik, Jr. Opening in limited release 10/18/13.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Seasons of Grey shares a timely response to the age-old question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

The compelling story of Brady Gray (played by Andrew Cheney), the favored son of a two-time widower, begins on location at a Texas ranch. After Brady’s father lavishes him with accolades and gifts, his half-brothers, fed up with his privileged position and arrogant attitude, kick him off the family ranch with a stern warning to never return.

What lies ahead is a roller coaster of ups and downs as Brady goes from restoring his life, obtaining a job and developing a love interest, to being wrongly accused of sexual assault and thrown in jail. Throughout the story, despite questioning his life’s purpose and plan, Brady remains devoted to his faith and learns the true meaning of forgiveness.

"If you're human and you've experienced disappointment and confusion, the story of Seasons of Gray will resonate with you," said Todd Wagner, the Senior Pastor at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, which made the film.Seasons of Gray is the culmination of a nearly decade-old dream by former Watermark staff member Paul Stehlik, now a missionary in Africa, to share biblical stories through the medium of film, updated in a modern cultural context for contemporary audiences.

PREVIEW REVIEW: The opening of this update of the Old Testament story of Joseph and his ordeals became tedious as I sat there forced to view so much family strife and mostly unlikeable characters. It didn’t help that the protagonist was played by an actor who lacked much screen charisma. Fortunately, once off the ranch, the story picked up, especially during the prison scenes. While the lead is incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit, we feel the loneliness and torment of the inmates, but also are shown men who have turned their lives around through a relationship with Christ. The supporting characters help generate interest as the story develops, and the message that God is there when all seems hopeless takes center stage.

Who of us hasn’t asked the very questions that troubled Job and Joseph; “What did I do? If you’d just tell me what I did?” But eventually we see that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Too often movies peter out by the third act, but Seasons of Gray works in reverse. It has a powerful, uplifting ending that makes you want to watch the whole film again. This is a great one to bring those to who need to be reminded of its message, “We love, because He first loved us.” And who doesn’t need to be reminded of that?

Seasons of Gray will open Oct. 18 in Dallas-Fort Worth;  Little Rock, Ark.; Phoenix; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Chicago; Alexandria, Minn.; Kansas City, Mo.; Stillwater, Okla.; and San Antonio.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: EchoLight Studios