Movie Review: Ragamuffin

     This movie is about Rich Mullins (the music artist who wrote "Awesome God," "Sing Your Praise to The Lord," "Sometimes by Step," and many other well written songs). It's one that follows where the man went and who he met when.
     It's a drama. It doesn't really capture the lovableness of a struggling alcoholic/drug addict who has been captured by Christ. It very much captures the emotional pain that all sensitive people go through. Rich was a very emotive person but he was also very much an approachable and lovable person too who could entertain and make you laugh but at the same time would say profound things that would make you think. This movie captures only the dramatic side it but it fails to portray his humorous side.
    It briefly shows his generous nature (he gives a shirt away while he's at the reservation) but it doesn't show how generous he was. He was always giving stuff away. He comes across in books as a very selfless person whereas in the movie he comes across as being a bit selfish (mostly in the self pity department but you see it elsewhere too).
      From what I've read of him he seems to be someone who couldn't get enough of God and wanted desperately to be like Jesus. That same level of passion doesn't come across in the movie.
     It was a good movie and some of the scenery is really beautiful. I think that his story is still a good one even though it's only one dimensional when it comes to his personality. It was worth watching at least once but just be aware it doesn't really do justice to the full individual.
      It did humanize him more for me which is probably a good thing. It also helped me to connect the dots of what happened when which was also very helpful.
      If you aren't familiar already with Rich then I would suggest reading Arrow Pointing to Heaven to get a better picture of who Rich was and his passion for God. (I have gotten a little more than halfway through this one and have really enjoyed it so far). You could also read a collection of his writings called "The World as I Remember It: Through the Eyes of a Ragamuffin." (I personally haven't read this one but have heard good things about it).
      If you have watched this movie and have something to add feel free to comment below.