Are you old enough to remember The Andy Griffith Show, My Three Sons and Leave it to Beaver? The age of heartwarming, family-oriented shows with a life-changing message seems to have passed us by in the name of Hollywood’s action-packed entertainment and out-of-this-world special effects. Movies in mind blowing 3-D (with those cool 3-D glasses), comic book Superheroes brought to life and endless marketing campaigns about the latest “blockbuster movie” are hard to resist. Christian filmmaker, Rich Christiano, takes a different approach to creating Christian entertainment with a message. He takes us back in time to a place where life seemed a whole lot less busy, a whole lot more fun and far less complicated. It’s hard to believe 1970 was 40 long years ago. I was a skinny, 14 year-old kid growing up in Edgewater Park, New Jersey, playing baseball, riding motorcycles, working my first part-time job and dreaming of that first elusive girlfriend who didn’t know I existed!
If you can remember your own coming-of-age moments, you are really going to enjoy Rich Christiano’s newly-released film, The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. It will make you feel like a kid again. Better yet, it has a timeless message that will never go out of style. Do you remember banana bicycle seats, Chuck Taylor sneakers, fake fruit, radiators in your home, electric plaid pants and pinball machines at the local downtown eatery? These vintage props were carefully thought out as Rich takes us back into his personal time tunnel. If you’re an old timer, or a baby boomer like me, you’ll enjoy seeing the old Packard’s, Ford Falcons and Chevy Impala’s, not to mention the old barber poles and formica tables. I’m sure it will bring back some interesting memories.
This feature length film had a nice run in local theaters across the country, where I watched it all by myself during one of those abandoned “midnight showings.” That was a good thing. It gave me a “96-minute moment” to reflect on the things that really matter in life. This seems to be the theme of all of Rich Christiano’s movies. He would be the first to tell you, he makes movies first and foremost to please the Lord. If the movie becomes a hit (The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry was the #1 box-office grossing Christian movie of 2009), then that makes it all the better. If you know anything about Rich, you know that all of his films include a strong evangelistic message, unlike so many so-called Christian movies that don’t even mention the name of Jesus, no less present the Gospel message. Rich Christiano is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and his audience heard it loudly and clearly.
The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry is set in the summer of 1970 in upstate New York, near Rich’s childhood home. It tells the story of three 12-year old boys, Dustin, Albert and Mark, who are typical 12-year old kids who spend their spare time fishing off the local bridge and cutting lawns for $2.00 each. Dustin is befriended by an elderly man who lives down the street, Jonathan Sperry, played by the former captain of the Love Boat, Gavin MacLeod. In fact, Rich and Gavin built such a good friendship during his wonderful Time Changer movie, they decided to work together again to leave a message that will make an eternal difference.
Jonathan Sperry is a 75-year old widower who had lost his wife in a tragic car accident 4 years earlier, after 47 years of marriage. I suspect it would have been easy for him to throw in the towel on life at that point and feel sorry for himself. But instead, he chooses to try and make a difference in the lives of others, by mentoring young Dustin. He hires him to cut his lawn and then encourages him to stop by for some lemonade and chocolate cake with a few of his friends. Practical life lessons are woven into the thread of the movie as Jonathan Sperry begins to have a spiritual influence on these three young boys. He begins a home Bible study that begins to change and shape the lives of the kids in this small town. On the surface, this doesn’t sound like a best-selling movie plot, but brewing under the surface, like all of Rich Christiano’s movies, is an unseen twist that will have you reaching for the Kleenex. There is more to the old man than meets the eye and his secret motivation for taking these kids under his wing doesn’t become obvious until a tragic, life-altering event takes place. Yes, Jonathan Sperry has a secret.
Let’s just say that Jonathan Sperry lived a life that counted for eternity. Sometimes we overlook the little things that we can do to influence the lives of others. J.R. Church was saved in a home Bible study led by a Godly woman. I bet he could tell you stories about the other kids who were influenced by her steadfast commitment to reaching kids for Christ. Many of those young kids, including J.R., went on to make a difference for the Lord. I know this film touched his heart. From what I’ve heard, many Christians have left this film in tears, realizing how little effort it takes to reach out and change someone’s life. As usual, Rich Christiano has put his own personal touch on a great story. He shows us that no matter how old you are, you’re never too old to make a difference. Whether you’re 12, or 75, you can have a ministry for the Lord.
We all need to continue to support these faithful Christian film makers. This is Rich’s best movie yet, a film that will leave you feeling like a better person, just for having seen it. It’s an exercise in authentic Christianity, a well-made, family-friendly movie that you will want to share with others.
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