Sean Richard McCarthy This is a truly remarkable story! I highly recommend it to people who enjoy family movies. If you want to see a great Christian movie, see this! While I was watching the movie, I thought to myself, "Nice, but not real." SPOILER POINT --> It is not until the end of the movie you find out that it is a TRUE STORY! Look up 'Jonathan Sperry' as I did, & see more about him.

inkslayer There is no need to be intolerant or suspicious about The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.If you're uncomfortable leaving your personal bias at the doorstep, and watching how others teach their children by example, then don't watch this movie.On the flip-side, if your children are not quite getting their Sunday school lessons, then this is a marvelous movie for them to watch. Because that's what The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry feels like, a Sunday school lesson.Jonathan Sperry doesn't teach anything out of the ordinary. If you don't want to be lied to, then don't lie to others. It's that simple. It's your choice. Do you need God in your life to follow these simple principles? No. However, some prefer that God be part of their lives.Jonathan Sperry acts as a guide to several young boys in his community. Sperry and the boys all belong to the same church – they all know one another. Jonathan Sperry practices what he preaches. He teaches the children by example; examples they can understand and put forth.We are a society with deep crevices of division – religious, societal, educational, race, and on and on. Sperry takes his little community and one by one, helps to fill those crevices. He passes on what he knows so that hopefully the division will become less and less. So when Sperry's wife dies in a car accident caused by neighbor Mr. Barnes, played by Robert Guillaume, does Sperry hire OJ's powerful lawyers and sue? Does he lament on a daily basis? Does he forever point his finger? Does he cry "poor me"? Nope. He kills Mr. Barnes with kindness. Why? Because Sperry needs to feel better. How does he feel better? By helping Barnes to feel better. And damn, isn't this a concept some people just can't wrap their heads around? Some people call the concept forgiveness. Others call it healing.Sperry's lesson is division within a community, clan, schoolroom, family, boardroom, or society, is not healthy. It causes chaos. Do you need the Bible, or the Tao to teach you about chaos and how to handle it? Well, if you don't have common sense, then perhaps you do.So, when a bully comes on the scene, Sperry shows the boys how to deal with the bully and shows the bully how to overcome what's eating him.I think it's brave, brilliant, and wonderful that the Christiano brothers used their energies and creativity to try and fill in those crevices and make our children's world a more solid place to live in.Gavin MacLeod is a delight to behold. Mr. Guillaume will have you bringing out the Kleenex.The movie is well-written, well-paced, well-acted, and touching.Great job tying up Dustin's loose end with Tanya. Wasn't expecting that one!!

Luke Masters This movie was very well done indeed. Inspiring, convincing, well acted and great for all ages. The film and sound quality are A+ I wish more movies of this genre were made using the high standards used for this film. I was delighted to see Gavin MacLeod(from the Love Boat) and Robert Guillaume. I grew up in the 70's and this movie brought back some of my fondest memories as I'm sure it will for so many others. There is one very emotional scene that parents of children under 8 should be present for but other than that, this movie has the potential to inspire anyone from 8 to 120. Movie tip: forget the popcorn; bring tissue, lots of it.

chrisart7 This is the Christiano brothers' best film (thus far), a lovely coming-of-age story about several youths in a sleepy upstate New York town circa 1970. In some ways it seems like the '50s, and the boys' shorts are definitely post-1985 length, but these are minor quibbles. Gavin MacLeod solidly portrays the title character, perhaps the meatiest role of his entire career, and quite likely an accurate reflection of his offscreen personality.I saw this in the theatre, and the Gospel message is completely at odds with what the other films were selling/saying. It was a sad reminder of what this nation has fallen from.For what could have been a pedantic, by-the-numbers evangelistic tract on film, this is instead a moving, well-crafted, tightly scripted bit of cinema. If this is any indication, we can expect even better things from the Christiano brothers in the years ahead.