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MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

For about two decades Tommy Woodard and Eddie James have been producing and starring in a series of short videos and sketches that can be used by Christians in worship settings. They call themselves “The Skit Guys” and utilize both comedy and drama.

I really like The Skit Guys. I have used their clips in worship. I have purchased and performed some of their chancel dramas. Some things are best enjoyed in small doses.

Family Camp begins promisingly enough with a typical Skit Guys sendup of Christian double-mindedness, Tommy Ackerman (Woodard) tries to slip into worship late after a round of business-related golf. Tommy’s wife Grace (Leigh-Allyn Baker) insists that he take off his cleats while also admonishing him for neglecting his church and his family. Just as their conversation is reaching a tipping point, Pastor Dave (Mark Christopher Lawrence) invites the church members to the annual family camp at beautiful Camp Katokwah. Grace persuades Tommy to take their family on this weeklong holiday.

When they arrive, ready to relax in an air-conditioned cabin, due to a lack of planning on Tommy’s part, the family is assigned to share a yurt with Eddie (James) and Victoria Sanders (Gigi Orsillo) and their two kids. Eddie is an extroverted chiropractor whose claim to fame is winning the annual camp championship trophy for his family.

Family Camp is going to try to be a faith-based mash up of The Great Outdoors and National Lampoon’s Vacation, with a beaver puppet to mimic the gopher antics from Caddyshack. Unfortunately, the only award this tired comedy deserves is a participation trophy.

Instead of group building exercises, the entire week at camp is centered around competitions between families, keeping track of wins and losses on an ever-changing scoreboard. The two Ackerman kids are pretty much on their own. Henry (Jacob M. Wade) uses a video camera to investigate the premises (including rumors of Bigfoot in the forest). Hannah (Cece Kelly) is hoping to attract the attention of a cute guy, although she admits openly that she has never been kissed. But never mind the teenagers. About halfway through the film, Family Camp forgets about the kids altogether and focuses on Tommy and Eddie, lost in the woods and having to deal with one another and their insecurities as husbands and fathers. Much of the comedy involves two men doing mean things to one another. Eventually prayer enters the picture, but only minimally. Finally, in a couple of long monologues, the main messages are shared.

Like so many current faith-based movies, religion has little to do with the plot. Even the official family discussion guide produced by the film makers fumbles when trying to make a connection of Family Camp to scripture, eventually deciding on the topic of how to face your fears, including the fear of death.

Too silly for most grownups and too slow for children, Family Camp is two hours of tedium. A medley of wacky outtakes accompanies the closing credits to let us know that the actors and crew had way more fun making this movie than we had watching it.

Halo and Pitchfork Rating:

Two halos: Themes of forgiveness and acceptance are eventually shared.
Two pitchforks: Mild Native American camp-centric racism; cartoon violence; lying and deceit; theft; mild sexual innuendo.

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