Dial a Prayer

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Artur B "Dial a Prayer: An Irresponsible Mockery of Christian Faith and the Transformative Power of Christ" Rating: 0,5/5 As a Protestant Christian and film critic, it is impossible to watch Dial a Prayer without feeling deeply offended by the blatant disrespect the movie shows toward Christian faith and, even more disturbingly, the transformative power of Christ. From beginning to end, this film not only distorts religious values but openly mocks them, turning faith into a tool for sarcasm and ridicule. The story opens with a disturbing scene: Cora (Brittany Snow), a troubled young woman, vandalizes a church, smashes a statue of Mary, and sets the temple on fire with her group. This sequence is offensive not just because of its violence against religious symbols but also because it reveals the script's ignorance, as it mixes Catholic elements out of context in a cheap and confusing attempt at "symbolism." As if that weren’t bad enough, Cora is released from prison thanks to an agreement between her Christian parents and the church — an absurd resolution that trivializes both human justice and the moral principles that underpin Christianity. The bulk of the movie takes place in a prayer call center, where Cora is forced to work as part of her sentence. What could have been an opportunity to explore the redemptive power of faith is instead turned into shallow satire. The film ridicules the act of prayer, something deeply meaningful to Christians, by portraying Cora as someone entirely devoid of faith and empathy. She offers prayers out of obligation, gives careless advice, and shows no concern for those seeking help. Yet, in a bizarre and ironic twist, these "empty" prayers inexplicably start producing miracles in the lives of those who call the center, leading people to idolize her. This not only trivializes the act of prayer but also mocks the transformative power of Christ — the One who truly brings profound and lasting change to those who believe in Him. The romantic subplot between Cora and Chase, the son of a woman who was in the church she burned down, is another deeply problematic element. The film treats the tragedy that connects them with complete disregard, attempting to frame their relationship as part of Cora's redemption arc. However, there is no genuine redemption in her character. She remains apathetic and unrepentant until the very end when, after completing her sentence, she throws away all the prayer requests she received and decides to leave for "Somewhere" with Chase. This conclusion is the height of disrespect, reinforcing the idea that faith and spiritual pursuit are meaningless, disposable, and irrelevant. Furthermore, the movie deliberately mocks the transformative power of Christ by portraying miracles as coincidences or the product of blind faith, completely ignoring the spiritual depth and reality of personal transformation that faith in Christ provides. For Christians, prayer is not a mere repetition of words or a "magic tool" — it is a channel of communication with God that transforms lives through grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. The way the film handles this topic is a direct affront to the heart of Christianity. Overall, Dial a Prayer is not just a bad movie — it is a gratuitous and irresponsible attack on Christian values and the transformative power of Christ. Its attempt to satirize faith is shallow, uninformed, and frankly offensive. At a time when so many people seek comfort, hope, and transformation in Christ’s message, it is disheartening that works like this are created to mock what is most sacred. I completely reject this film and would not recommend it to anyone, especially those who understand the depth and beauty of Christian faith. Dial a Prayer offers nothing meaningful — only empty, disrespectful mockery that fails as both criticism and entertainment. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/25 Full Review Audience Member Not a bad movie . 2.8 Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/05/22 Full Review Audience Member It had no meaning, it was actually an awful movie Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Hey not too bad at all. Flawed, but decent. Good acting with a simple feel good story. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Read a review that questioned the target audience of this film. I agree; too preachy for mainstream audiences and too risqué for contemporary Christian audiences. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member It took me a few watches, but I grew to love this movie. Don't let the 40% fool you. It exploits the stereotypes of organized baptists a bit unfairly, but kept itself professional at the same time. I'm a protestant theistic evolutionist myself, so there's no bias here. (No spoilers below) Cora (the always lovely Brittany Snow) finds herself at the doorstep of a church with a few shady accomplices. They heartlessly destroy the porcelain statue of Mary and set the church ablaze. Cora is sentenced to community service in the form of a Dial-a-Prayer hotline. The movie was a bit flimsily executed, but it's humor and deep themes remain. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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