In James Houston Turner’s personal story ‘Square Pegs’ directed by Bill Rahn, a judge orders a pastor and his bartender daughter to switch roles for a week after they sue each other because of their animosity.
Square Pegs is a faith-based drama with themes of grief, bitterness and eventual understanding. It tells the story of Mac (Wayne Deloriea), a single father and pastor who blames his estranged daughter Jodie (Meggie Jenny) for the death of his wife Meredith. The accident that killed her also made Jodie believe Mac cared more about church than family before driving her to ask that he sells their home so she can have half what was left behind.
This film becomes interesting early on when the presiding judge Catherine Trail makes an order in their lawsuit; she tells them both to change places for one week. Mac has to work as a bartender at Jodie’s bar while Jodie must run the church during this time. They are forced into these roles which will enable them see life from each other’s perspective hence foster better understanding between them.
At its core, Square Pegs doesn’t say anything new compared with other movies under this genre as it follows closely to beats and concepts established by its predecessors. Director Rahn avoids flashy visuals but still creates inviting warmth through use close ups combined with mid shots that help bring out character emotions thus making viewer feel comfortable in their presence. On his part, Turner keeps things simple too; he starts off with two characters who are worlds apart then brings them closer together slowly over time until they realize where they went wrong in the end. It should be noted here already that both eventually understand what mistakes were made by themselves alone not others around them or society at large even though realization might come later than sooner sometimes. However, what sets Square Pegs apart is heart – it feels like somebody has written it from experience.
Scott McClannahan cinematography calls to mind past faith based TV dramas on Hallmark by focusing more nature and using softly focused shots lit with warm colors during prayer or reflective scenes. These technicalities serve to bring out themes of doubt, growth as well as faith which form the backbone of this narrative.
Although one wouldn’t necessarily describe Square Pegs as being edgy, it does pose some hard hitting questions about faith in tough times; where is God when things look bleakest? Through Mac and Jodie’s character arcs, there seems a suggestion in the movie that even when all odds seem stacked against them forgiveness can still happen.
In summary, Square Pegs is an inspiring drama about family forgiveness and empathy. While its Christian elements may cater for specific viewership groups only, anyone who has ever dealt with fractured relationships will easily pick up on healing that the story seeks to promote.
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