Story

I Still Believe is based on the true story of Christian music singer Jeremy Camp (J.K. Apa) and his first wife Melissa (Britt Robertson). Jeremy is raised by his father, Tom (Gary Sinise), a pastor at Harvest Chapel, La Fayette, Indiana and his mother Terry (Shania Twain). Jeremy leaves home to attend the Calvary Chapel Bible College in California, where he meets and falls in love with Melissa.

It isn’t long after they meet that Melissa is diagnosed with stomach cancer which then spreads to her liver. Following surgery and chemotherapy Jeremy and Melissa get married, but shortly after the cancer returns to her ovaries. Jeremy writes the song ‘I still believe’after her death.

Themes

Death and dying; grief and loss; cancer; Christian faith

Violence

I Still Believe has some violence. For example:

  • Jeremy and his brother are playing around. As part of this, Jeremy throws something at his brother and tells him to ‘shut up’.
  • Melissa breaks a glass jar and smashes it in frustration.
  • Jeremy smashes his guitar in grief.

Sexual references

None noted.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

None noted.

Nudity and sexual activity

I Still Believe has some mild sexual activity. For example:

  • Jeremy and Melissa kiss briefly on several occasions.
  • Jeremy and Melissa are seen in bed but fully clothed.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in I Still Believe: Pizza King delivery vehicle.

Coarse language

I Still Believe has some mild name-calling like ‘you idiot’, and some very mild coarse language like ‘shut up’.

Ideas to discuss with your children

I Still Believe is a faith-based movie about love, loss and grief. It’s a very moving story, in which faith is put to its greatest test.

This movie is likely to appeal most to fans of Jeremy Camp and Christian viewers interested in faith-based stories. Because of the movie’s sad themes of dying and death, it isn’t suitable for children under 10 years. Also, we recommend parental guidance for children aged 10-13 years.

The main messages from this movie are that faith will help you overcome all obstacles in life and that there is hope after despair.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include:

  • faith and hope
  • compassion
  • love and care
  • support for others through adversity.

This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like your family’s beliefs about religion and life after death.

Supported By

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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