The Second Chance
Ethan Jenkins (Michael W. Smith) and Jake Sanders (introducing Jeff Obafemi Carr) are both passionate pastors who worship the same God from the same book--but that's where the similarity ends. White and well-to-do Ethan is comfortable in his music ministry at the media-savvy suburban mega-church, The Rock; Jake is a street smart African-American who ministers to the gang members, teen mothers, and drug addicts of the urban Second Chance. When they are suddenly thrown together in a tough neighborhood and forced to work side by side, Ethan discovers there is no boundary between the streets and the sanctuary. But can the faith these two men share overcome the prejudices that divide them to give themselves and a struggling urban church a second chance?
Faith can move mountains--and change men's lives. The inspirational tale in The Second Chance weaves the foundation of faith subtly but deeply through the lives of its characters, the Rev. Ethan Jenkins and the Rev. Jake Sanders. Though the two have known each other since they were kids, but their worlds are, well, worlds apart. Ethan (gospel-singing phenom Michael W. Smith) is on staff at the Rock, a wealthy suburban mega-church, and sees a bright future for himself as the head pastor there someday. But his real journey of faith begins when he starts working alongside Jake (an incredibly charismatic Jeff Obafemi Carr) at the Rock's sister church in the poor part of town. The stellar, grounded performances of both Smith and Carr, as well as the brisk direction and soul-stirring music, keep The Second Chance from being too predictable--even though when Ethan first appears in the 'hood, he makes a few rich-guy gaffes, like accidentally ordering a barbecue platter (at the God Almighty chicken restaurant!) that's way too spicy for his white-bread palate. But the film's full-on embrace of faith as a normal part of life makes it bracingly refreshing, and if you can see the characters' redemption coming, it doesn't make it any less uplifting. The DVD is absolutely packed with extras, including interviews with director Steve Taylor as well as stars Smith and Carr; a music video, All in the Serve, by Smith; director's commentary; deleted scenes; and more. --A.T. Hurley
The Second Chance Accessories
 Flywheel (Director's Cut)
Facing the Giants (Widescreen)
Billy Graham Presents: The Climb
The Ultimate Gift
Amazing Grace
End of the Spear
Billy Graham Presents - Last Flight Out
One Night With the King
Beyond the Gates of Splendor
Billy Graham Presents: The Hiding Place
The Second Chance Reviews
Ethan's change from a materialistic man to a humble servant of God just doesn't ring true somehow. Jake's character is unnecessarily harsh and the movie doesn't really show him connecting with his congregation. I was never deeply involved in the movie and felt like an outside observer to a situation which should have been more emotionally compelling. Ethan is the son of the pastor of The Rock, a megachurch with a wealthy, white congregation.
Ethan faces culture shock as he discovers what life is like in a neighborhood where drugs and violence are everywhere. Gradually his values begin to change as he sees what life is like for those who live near the Second Chance Church. When Ethan ruffles the feathers of some people in The Rock's congregation, his father decides that it is time for him to learn some lessons by working under Jake. The concept of the movie is a good one, but somehow the idea suffers from poor pacing and script writing. Jake and Ethan are at odds all the way through the movie, so their reconciliation in the end seems forced and phony.
Jake heads the Second Chance church which has been planted in the ghetto by The Rock.
this movie goes into the cultural differences of christians and the struggle that we must go through to reach the place where god wants us.
Would not recommend. No humility or repentance throughout. Just really mean people fighting constantly. I found no lessons learned in this movie and nothing Christlike. Terrible movie.
They bore everybody but the overly overtly pious. And I am very happy with the seller. Marshall, the most important Congressional Chaplain ever has been pretty much forgotten.
But Second Chance is a wonderful exception, an exciting, tense but warm, eventful and even suspenseful story about many of the public and personal issues and situations that enliven our society: race relations, the inner city vs. The film deserves a A+A+A+A+ rating, limited only because some silly agnostics might not enjoy the church themes. Movies about churches are usually not exciting.
Even a classic like A Man Called Peter about Rev. But everybody should like the acting and writing and the treatment of personal and social issues. the suburbs, varieties of growth and communication, old and new styles of managing a church and of seeking the moral life, all involving two interesting and complicated preachers.
I was a little disappointed. This movie was watchable, but I was hoping for a little more than it gave. There was a lot of potential but I believe some the points it was trying to make were a little vague.
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