If you think a Hollywood film could never stir the soul and challenge your convictions, think again. "Have a Little Faith" does just that, offering an unapologetic exploration of faith and redemption. Directed by Jon Avnet and adapted from Mitch Albom’s bestselling book, this film premiered in November 2011 on ABC. It skillfully navigates the lives of two vastly different yet deeply connected men: Rabbi Albert Lewis and Pastor Henry Covington. Set in the bustling backdrop of New Jersey and the quiet expanse of Detroit’s inner city, this made-for-TV movie doesn’t shy away from tackling big questions — questions about belief, community, and the very human need for redemption.
Thinking you can shrug off faith as something outdated? Not this time. What makes "Have a Little Faith" compelling isn’t just the powerful storytelling, but its foundation upon real-life transformative journeys. Mitch Albom serves as our narrator and main character, a journalist asked to write the eulogy for his childhood Rabbi, Albert Lewis. It’s a task that initially seems mundane, yet evolves into a profound personal journey intertwining with Pastor Henry Covington, a man with a checkered past running a crumbling Detroit church for the homeless. The juxtaposition of Lewis’s educated, traditional faith and Covington’s raw, streetwise spirituality gets to the crux of what faith means in our modern world.
Now, if you’re sitting there thinking this film is just another preachy version of Sunday school draped in saccharine Hollywood platitudes, think again. This isn’t some abstract sermon. The film offers no apologies for how it presents the inconsistencies and imperfections of faith, yet also glorifies its pure form. This unflinching honesty is what drives Albom’s narrative burning full steam into the heart of its viewers.
The dynamic portrayal of Albert and Covington’s lives raise questions too inconvenient for the fluffy liberal mindset and too profound to ignore. It insists you consider real issues in today’s society - community breakdown, the struggle of maintaining places of worship, and societal redemption. These men, diverse in culture and backgrounds, offer a blueprint for how an honest, interconnected community can triumph over adversity.
In a time when self-proclaimed thought leaders harry us with secular truths and deny spiritual awakenings, "Have a Little Faith" roots itself in authenticity. Mex Albom’s genuine curiosity and skepticism make him the perfect bridge between the stories of two men and the viewers on their couch, piquing wonder and introspection. The film doesn’t give easy answers, but rather, challenges you to question your own stance on faith.
Let’s not forget, however, that the film is as much about actions as it is dialogue. It highlights the redemptive nature of faith not by cheap talk but through community projects, those deeply personal acts of human kindness that uproot prejudices and reconcile humanity."Have a Little Faith" underlines the importance of giving, showing how a faithful life doesn’t require perfect belief, but rather, perfect dedication to making the world better.
So why does this film matter today? It lights a beacon for those who seek truth in a world flooded with false idols like instant gratification and vapid consumerism. This film doesn’t just preach about faith—it’s an examination of how faith manifests in the darkest and brightest corners of our lives. It’s a powerful reminder that faith and doubt aren’t opposing forces but rather collaborators in our effort to make things better.
Pastor Covington’s transformation from a criminal to a community pillar is particularly poignant—aren’t we all in constant transformation, though on different paths? It’s an honest depiction of the kind of faith that breaks past false facades and rampant hypocrisy to unveil a grace that offers hope. It’s spiritually empowering without being bombastic, inviting viewers to seek not the bare minimum of piety but the highest calling of compassion, against all odds.
Fancy Hollywood entertainment might entice with glossy visuals, but "Have a Little Faith" surprises with its raw sincerity and touching performances, including those of the late Martin Landau and Laurence Fishburne. It’s not the kind of film that gets extreme critical acclaim or makes waves at the box office. Instead, it scores where it matters: touching hearts, inspiring action, and engaging audiences long after the credits have rolled.
In a skewed world where faith becomes either politicized or marginalized, this film cries out that true spiritual strength is built on introspection and genuine community support rather than sound bites or public gestures. This isn’t just another movie on faith. It’s a profoundly conservative lens on the potential of true conviction and its role in salvaging our shared humanity. One thing’s certain — it forces us to face everything challenged by true faith, whether we like it or not.