Top 5 Ways God's Not Dead Could Have Been Improved

If you recall the review I wrote last week, you'll know that God's Not Dead is a movie I don't hold in very high esteem. But as promised, I'm here today to present a brief list of things – mainly plot-related – that I think could have made God's Not Dead a much better film, regardless of whether or not you agree with its subject matter. So here we go, in no particular order.

1. Here's a really obvious one: cut down on the number of subplots! Ayisha's story – which as I mentioned earlier, was left unresolved anyways – was totally pointless. Reverend Dave's crisis of faith over not having his car start was not all that necessary either. And Amy's story feels like it was just thrown in to give the filmmakers a means to insert a couple celebrity cameos (freakin' Newsboys!). The main plot of God's Not Dead was supposed to be the debate between Josh and Radisson. I didn't time it or anything, but I'd be willing bet that the debate has not much more than 17 minutes or so of screen time (out of a total run time of 113 minutes). Personally I didn't much care for the debate scenes, but if that's what you went to the movie to see then at least you wouldn't be so disappointed if they were lengthened. It would also make the movie less cluttered and more focused.
2. Another straightforward one: write real characters! I know I already commented on this in the review, but why are the non-christian characters in this movie so mean? Does this movie take place in New Jersey or something? (It can't take place in LA because that was totally not the Staples Center we saw!)
3. Remember how Josh's girlfriend Kara objected to his efforts to oppose Professor Radisson's overbearing atheism? Remember how sloppily that part concluded, with her dumping him and bringing their six-years-strong relationship to an unexpected end? Here's an idea: maybe stretch out that plot to make it the length of the film. That way, the movie could have just had two plot lines: Josh vs. Radisson and the debate vs. the relationship. Not only could Kara's disapproval carry more dramatic weight – and thus have more of an effect on Josh and his willpower – but it could also force Josh into doubting the value of his cause. In doing so, the movie could more effectively portray what it means to persevere in the face of adversity and show the audience how God's work is always worthwhile, no matter how lowly or risky.
4. As I mentioned in the review, the reason that Professor Radisson hates God so much is because he used to be a christian, but his mother still ended up dying while he was young boy despite his prayers for God to save her. It's too bad the movie didn't expand all that much on this plot point, because (unlike a lot of other stuff in God's Not Dead) this is the type of thing that happens in real life. If Radisson's experience was brought closer to the forefront of the movie – like if it was a bigger part of the debate or if it was revealed earlier – the movie could have shifted focus to something more applicable to daily life; rather than pose the question “does God exist?” the film could instead have been more about “how can a good God exist in a world where suffering occurs?”, a question that everyone asks themselves from time to time. A whole movie built around this concept would no doubt be populated by more sympathetic characters, and it would also be much better at reaching out to non-christian viewers. It would make you think, to say the least.
5. Martin's character arc is actually one of the few interesting subplots. You remember him; he's the foreign student from China who's never thought about God before and is impressed with Josh's determination to publicly defend his faith. It would have been interesting to see where this ends up taking him, like maybe with a scene of him talking with Reverend Dave or something. But then again since both characters – and the #Newsboys, thank goodness – are returning in the sequel, I guess they were saving that for later. So, I guess I don't know what I'm complaining about on this point... I'll shut up now.