FIRST RESPONDERS
The Human Pain of Being a First Responder
What You Need To Know
FIRST RESPONDERS weaves together the stories of several different types of first responders, including an ambulance driver, a policewoman, a fireman, and a therapist. Based on true stories, the very topic is interesting, but the plot of FIRST RESPONDERS is unfortunately disjointed and therefore doesn’t grab the viewer’s attention, but the good news is that it has no offensive elements except the normal violence in the line of duty.
FIRST RESPONDERS opens with a group of first responders in a small town competing for the prize at a bowling alley. Mark, a fireman, wins the prize, which his wife Karen says has never happened before. Another main character is an ambulance driver, Darnell, and his wife a policewoman Nia. Mark’s Karen wife is a psychologist.
As the movie develops, the audience sees the pain and suffering of first responders. First, Mark and his firefighter comrades go to a tremendous fire in a home and rescue a girl, who tells them her brother is still inside. Mark goes to find the little brother who has been burned to death. This breaks Mark’s heart and causes advanced PTSD. Mark’s wife Karen wants to help him, but it takes him a while before he seeks help.
The Darnell’s wife Nia is a police officer, and, when she pulls over a car, she’s shot. Darnell is devastated, as is Karen, who is Nia’s best friend.
The most Christian scene occurs at a funeral. Also, another scene has Mark resigning from the fire department, although his chief asks him to stay and asks him if he’s prayed, because God is always answering prayers.
FIRST RESPONDERS is very episodic, but viewers will be very interested in how the stories of these people are going to be resolved. Aside from the very mild portrayal of the pain and tribulation involved in their different jobs, the movie is extremely clean and devoid of moral problems, with a strong Christian worldview. At the end of the movie, there are interviews with real first responders, which is quite interesting. It would have been nice if FIRST RESPONDERS were better constructed. However, it’s good that young people can see FIRST RESPONDERS and understand the difficulties first responders face.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Very strong Christian worldview about several first responders, including police, firemen, ambulance drivers, nurses, and others
Foul Language
No foul language
Violence
No violence related to interpersonal fights, but there’s a fire, a policewoman is shot off screen, several hospital scenes occur, and psychiatric support group tries to deal with their pain and suffering
Sex
No sex scenes or sexual immorality, but there’s some light marital kissing
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Nothing else objectionable.
