Sidewalk Singer

End it all or begin again? That's the central question running throughout this Christian musical drama centering on Kris Kivi (Alan Maki), a 59-year-old man earning a living as a guitar-playing busker after his wife and children are killed in a car accident (that he survived) and he loses his job to the recession. Written by novelist, pastor, and lead actor Maki, and directed by Jeff Thomas, the story finds Kivi walking a narrow line of faith in the face of strong doubt, given what has befallen him. In addition to being harassed by a street gang, Kivi faces prejudice from local church members after a young minister (Joshua Haze) befriends him and invites him to sing for the congregation. Repentance and redemption will eventually win out, but far from offering a glossy view of the struggles of faith, this movie unflinchingly looks at the effort it takes to reach a point where belief can transcend the sometimes inexplicable tribulations of human existence. An authentic and honest film that focuses on grace and forgiveness in the face of weakness, injustice, and random (but devastating) events, this is recommended. (C. Block)