'The Resurrection of Gavin Stone'
Three descriptors for a movie that you thought you'd never see placed together: "faith-based," "comedy" and "produced by WWE Studios." Somehow, "The Resurrection of Gavin Stone" (⋆⋆ out of four stars, rated PG for thematic elements) fits all three. It's the story of a washed-up, hard-partying former child star (Brett Dalton) who finds redemption at a church in his small hometown. The WWE connection comes in the presence of Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, who plays a churchgoing tough guy. Michaels will no doubt draw some die-hard wrestling fans to the film. What makes "The Resurrection of Gavin Stone" singular is its fresh and modern approach to evangelical Christianity. It's a positive portrayal that skirts any of the negative issues that could be associated with religion. It may even draw a new believer or two — but there's still a long way to go to totally nail the faith-based comedy genre.
KATIE WALSH, Tribune News Service
