Monday, December 8, 2014

Susie's Hope {a FlyBy review and giveaway}

My family is almost always up for a DVD review.  Especially solid family-friendly movies with great messages.

Susie's Hope intrigued me, but my teen boys pretty much abandoned the living room in favor of a Sunday afternoon nap when I put it in.  So I watched it, along with the 8- and 10-year olds, and my husband.  The four of us enjoyed it (and I think the teens would have too, had they given it a bit of time).

The movie is described like this:
An extraordinary story based on true events, Susie’s Hope follows a family who triumphs over tragedy and changes lives in their community. A survivor of a horrific pit bull attack, Donna Lawrence, adopts a pit bull-mix puppy, Susie, that has been beaten, set on fire and left for dead. Together, they learn to heal, love and forgive as they lead a historic effort to seek justice and protection for all animals.
So -- a heads up.  If you have particularly sensitive kids, you might want to preview this.  It is based on a true story, and some of the events are really awful.  If you don't believe me, go back up and read the movie description above.)  My nearly 9-year-old was a bit upset, but she did tell me that it was worth watching in the end.  Just that, "next time, I don't want to watch the beginning."

Another warning and a bit of a spoiler -- Donna loses her baby in the "horrific pit bull attack."  If you've recently suffered a miscarriage or anything similar, you might want to pass on this film right now.

With that being said, check out the trailer:




Our thoughts?

This movie was well worth watching.  I don't know all the facts behind the real story, or how closely this movie follows that.  I particularly liked that the movie was showing Donna's vulnerability and her, "why me and not my baby?" questions.

And that it showed Roy (Donna's husband) dealing with loss realistically as well.  He makes assumptions that are wrong, but totally reasonable.  He is trying to protect his wife, while also dealing with the grief of losing what he has wanted: to be a daddy.  I particularly loved that best friend Ramona doesn't lash out when Roy is upset with her, nor does she start male-bashing.

The violence that occurred is pretty horrific, but most of that is only alluded to or hinted at.  And most of the movie is about healing, believing, caring... and taking an opportunity to make a difference.



Would you like to win a copy?  I have one to give away.  Open to US and Canada only, must be 18 to enter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
 

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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