Christian film ‘The Grace Card’ has solid opening

MEMPHIS — The church-made movie “The Grace Card” had a solid opening on its first weekend in theaters Feb. 25–27, finishing in the Top 10 on a per-theater average with a gross similar to that of the 2006 hit “Facing the Giants,” according to studio estimates.

Made largely by volunteers from Calvary Church, a Nazarene congregation in Memphis, and directed by church member David Evans, the film finished No. 8 on a per-theater basis with an average gross of $3,099. By comparison, “Facing the Giants” grossed an average of $3,046 its first weekend.

Although Hollywood often spotlights a movie’s total gross, Provident Films — which released “The Grace Card” — pays more attention to average gross because it opened in only 352 theaters, compared to the normal 2,000–3,000 or so theaters in which a typical Hollywood film opens.    

 Evans, who directs the church’s passion play, was inspired to make the movie after watching the 2008 film “Fireproof,” made by Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, Ga.

“The Grace Card” has received positive reviews from Baptist Press, PluggedInOnline.com and Christianity Today, and even from some secular media. Variety said the movie was “blessed with fine performances, credible dialogue and slick production values” and “ranks among the better religious-themed indies released in recent years.”