Root of the Problem movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE: Root Of The Problem

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

AVAILABLE on VOD on July 7 and on DVD on July 14

Have you ever wished money grew on trees? Yep, me too. This light drama takes a look at our priorities.

Director by Scott Sikma, this movie won the “Audience Award” at last year’s Calgary International Film Festival. Sikma said that his film will encourage people to see that even in the hardest of situations, there is hope and happiness to be found.

The executive producer, Carolyn McMaster, stated, “My sister, Margot McMaster, and I co-produced Root of the Problem because it speaks to the love, loyalty, and commitment within a family particularly during moments of crisis and despair; and serves to remind us of the importance of family ties no matter what the obstacles.”

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Replacement words for profanity (“heck” and “darn” when the protagonist sees a pastor in the room).
Talk of death of loved ones. Someone’s cremated ashes are spread.
Someone falls and has to go to the hospital
Talk to your kids about how you can serve in your community

THEMES:

“It’s the little things that matter most.” – Michelle Mitchel (Dawn Nagazina)
Faith
Happiness
Fulfillment
Charity
Trust
Honesty
Communication
Change
Choice & consequence
Appearance vs. substance
“Sometimes you have to help others before you help yourself.” – Grace Campbell (Claire Rankin)
First impressions

THINGS I LIKED:

Real estate agents will get a kick out of the first scene. Sergio Di Zio (Flashpoint, Rogue) plays a money-hungry real estate salesman. He won Best Actor at 2019’s International Christian Film Festival for his role in this film.

Grace Campbell is played by Claire Rankin from Molly’s Game and Stargate Atlantis: Seasons 1-5 DVD.
The entire cast does a good job. I especially liked Detective Miller (Chantal Perron).
I like how Grace’s necklace looked like a tree with deep roots.
While scriptures and faith are discussed, this isn’t a preachy Christian movie at all.
I liked the song at the very end of the movie called “Forget You Are Gone” by Andrew Morris.
The movie was filmed in beautiful Alberta, Canada.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The background music sounds really cheesy most of the time.
It was frustrating how so many problems could have been avoided had Paul just told his wife what was happening so they could figure everything out together.
It could have used more humor to balance out the dramatic moments.
It felt a little rushed. I would love to have seen more goofy antics with Paul Campbell and his expenses so I could live vicariously through him and all that money.
There’s no explanation about what happens to the tree in the end.

INTERESTING LINES:

“When you look good, you feel good.” – Paul Campbell (Sergio Di Zio)
“It shines a light on some of life’s darkest moments.” – director Scott Sikma
“It’s in helping others that we find our true nature.” – Pastor Rylee
“People are willing to help when they have means, but when they don’t have means and help anyway, that makes it really special.” – Pastor Rylee
“We trust in a higher power. It helps us find our way.” – Pastor Rylee

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