Quote: The Problem With Fireproof

Fireproof: This is the Christian contribution to the endless courtship genre, and is celebrated as exemplifying modern Christian’s commitment to marriage. Hero fireman Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) must convince his wife Catherine (Erin Bethea) not to frivolously divorce him. To do so he undertakes a 40-day test to prove his worthiness to his unhaaaapy wife. While he is doing this his wife is busy flirting with other men, and is no longer wearing her wedding ring. … Eventually Caleb completes the test to his whorish wife’s satisfaction, and she gladly takes him back.

All of these movies are a play on the mythological theme where the hero must accomplish some great feat to woo his would be wife. However, in these cases the hero has already wooed her; she just turned out to be flaky. He finds himself having to woo her again, and again, and very often the hero still faces rejection at the end of the story or at the very least ambivalence.

. . .

The concept of two high status men fighting over the would be divorcée’s heart is at the core of the movie. Even the plot device, the Love Dare, is all about him convincing her to love him. It isn’t about him convincing her to honor her wedding vows. This is standard issue divorce porn, and tells women that divorce gives them power to get what they want. No woman who watched the movie would fail to get this overriding message. If you aren’t haaaapy, threaten divorce and let high status men compete for your heart!

–Dalrock