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Movie Review Assignment: Fireproof
Natalie Radcliffe
School of Behavioral Science, Liberty University
PACO 615: Marriage and Family Counseling
November 13, 2022
MOVIE REVIEW: FIREPROOF
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Movie Review Assignment: Fireproof
The movie “Fireproof” centers around a couple, Caleb and Catherine, who are
experiencing a multitude of marriage issues. From anger, resentment, and pornography
addictions, Caleb and Catherine are clearly in an unhealthy marriage. After Catherine threatens
divorce, Caleb embarks on a forty-day ‘Love Dare’ challenge to try and save the marriage. It is
not until Caleb gives his life to Christ that true improvement is seen. The marriage is ultimately
saved, and the movie ends with a vow renewal and hope for a better future.
Impactful Scenes
Early in the movie, we see a glimpse into the marriage of Caleb and Catherine, which
rings true for many couples with underlying issues. Caleb enters the kitchen and frustratingly
looks for food. He passive-aggressively asks Catherine if she plans on grocery shopping anytime
soon. The scene does a great job of highlighting what happens when issues are not resolved or
discussed. Clearly, the issue is not about food. Caleb feels disrespected by his wife and Catherine
is frustrated by the lack of communication and the pornography addiction. Small issues become
big ones, yet nothing is resolved.
Further Reflection
As viewers watch, I would urge them to notice the difference between when Caleb first
begins the journal and when he continues the journal after giving his life to Christ. Warranting
further reflection is the theme of addressing the conflict between Caleb and Catherine. It is
clear they have an unhealthy conflict management style due to unresolved issues. Additionally,
the difference in the advice given and listened to by friends and family deserves a deeper look.
Lastly, the challenge itself deserves to be addressed in terms of what it can accomplish and how
perspective can change, and exceptions found.
Therapeutic Implications
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Addressing Conflict
In multiple scenes, we see Caleb and Catherine address their marital conflict in
unhealthy ways. Rather than working together toward resolution, they come from a place of
heightened emotions and anger. Scenes, like the two breakfast scenes, show many common
conflicts in marriages such as poor communication when they make assumptions about the
other’s responsibilities, unmet needs such as Caleb feeling disrespected and Catherine feeling
unwanted, and Caleb’s pornography addiction as an underlying issue that is not addressed. Past
grievances are brought up and there is little self-control (Moitinho et al, 2020).
These scenes can allow couples to view themselves from a third-party perspective. They
can find commonality with these all-too-common issues and feel emotionally connected to their
characters and flaws. I chose these conflict-filled scenes because constant fighting with no
solution in sight can take away the hope that is needed for couples to heal (Ripley et al, 2014).
Couples can build upon this to develop a healthy conflict-management style that includes
selfcontrol, communication, and problem-solving (Moitinho et al, 2020).
Venting and Advice
The stark differences between the advice Catherine receives and the advice Caleb
receives are so important for couples to cognitively connect with. Catherine vents and seeks
advice from friends. While not knowing the spiritual position of her friends, it is clear marriage
is not seen or valued from a Biblical perspective. They agree that Caleb is a bad husband,
encourage her to leave him, and never objectively challenge her to look inward at how she is
contributing to the dysfunction. Caleb seeks advice from his father as well as his friend, both of
whom are Christians. They encourage Caleb to continue working at the marriage and use Christ
as the center for encouragement.
For couples trying to heal, whom they surround themselves with is important. Having
the support of the Biblical community can allow the space for them to vent, while also receiving
advice that comes from scripture (Kollar, 2011). Some couples may overlook such a seemingly
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harmless activity but drawing attention to how one’s community can affect perspective can
allow it to cognitively ‘click’ for a couple.
The Love Dare Challenge
The forty-day ‘Love Dare’ challenge and the theme surrounding it can highlight for
couples what a hope-focused approach looks like (Ripley et al, 2014). Many of the daily
challenges are rooted in scripture, offering a Biblical perspective as to why one should not say
negative things about their spouse or have addictions that keep holding onto one’s heart. When
the challenges are completed, with intentionality, exceptions to the problems can be found
within the marriage (Kollar, 2011).
Couples can both spiritually and emotionally connect with the challenge. There is a
scene that highlights the difference made in the marriage from when Caleb begins the challenge
and simply checks the box to when he puts intentional effort behind the gestures as a Christian.
It is only then that an impact is made on Catherine. Couples could be encouraged to see the
outcome of focusing on solutions and exceptions to issues to heal and move forward (Kollar,
2011).
Personal/Professional Implications
Personal Connection
I have been blessed with a very happy, healthy marriage for seventeen years. However, I
connected on an empathetic level with close friends of ours. Through the viewing of the movie, I
watched stories both had told play out. Seeing the scene in which Caleb screams in the face of
Catherine as she cowered made my heart ache for my friend who has expressed a similar
situation. I paused the movie about fifteen minutes in, and text my friend that she needs to
watch the movie to hopefully see their conflict from an outside perspective.
Confirm Perceptions and Unitizing Information
The movie confirms my perception that in marriage, lack of communication is the root of
many issues. Watching scenes play out that begin with a lack of cereal and evolve into a
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constant feeling of disrespect shows how destructive a lack of communication can be. So many
couples hang onto hurts and feelings of anger and/or resentment without addressing them.
Then, they can become angry that their partner does not fix a problem they do not even know
about. Within lay counseling I have done as well as casual talks with friends, this is an
overarching theme for many marriages and people.
The movie strengthens my resolve in mediation, using the talker-listener process for
couples (Petersen, 2015). Having an objective third party person to help put emotions and
feelings into tangible thoughts is important for couples who can tend to become emotional
and/or angry when discussing issues.
Disagreement with Abuse
Watching Caleb scream in Catherine’s face as she cowered caused a physical reaction
having grown up in an abusive household. While Caleb ends up accepting Christ and the couple
stays together, not much is shown in the way of healing. While I understand it is a movie with
the ‘fairy-tale ending’, I wish there was an implication that the couple recognizes they still have
work to do. The hope is restored, but there are still many issues that need to be addressed for
long-term success (Ripley, 2014).
References
Kollar, C. A. (2011). Solution-focused pastoral counseling: An effective short-term approach for
getting people back on track. Zondervan.
Moitinho, E., & Moitinho, D. (2020). Dream home: How to create an intimate Christian marriage.
Kendall Hunt Publishing.
Petersen, J. (2015). Why don't we listen better?: Communicating & connecting in relationships.
Petersen Publications.
Ripley, J. S., & Worthington, E. L. (2014). Couple therapy: A new hope-focused approach.
InterVarsity Press.
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