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GREAT AWAKENING, A

A Great Awakening is an extraordinary movie that takes you on an unanticipated, yet entertaining journey through history. With incredible storytelling and well composed visuals, I was in awe as it unfolds.

This insightful film tells the story of Benjamin Franklin (John Paul Sneed) and George Whitefield's (Jonathan Blair) unexpected 30-year-long friendship. It details the up's and down's of both of their lives, how they continuously were intertwined, and the important impact they left on each other. And most significantly, the lasting legacy their trail-blazing approach left on American history when they ignited an awakening of its people.

This film shines in its visual aspects and definitely kept my attention. The lighting is spectacular and made me feel like I was experiencing and seeing history with new eyes. The realistic costumes reflect the late 1700s style accurately. The transitions between scenes are very well put together and are satisfying to watch. The movie really comes to life as the sets look accurate to the time period. When I was watching it, I was completely invested! The cast's performance is truly amazing and definitely makes this movie breathtaking. George Whitfield, played by Jonathan Blair, is one of the most enjoyable to watch. The way he expresses his character's emotions is effortless and very believable. The relationship between Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield unfolds with care and attention. They go from not knowing each other and being wary of each other to becoming best friends for many years. I love the way we see how they influence each other to be better and make a lasting impact, and how Benjamin Franklin learned from Whitefield and contributed to history in his own way.

The film's message is that if you persevere you can overcome anything life throws at you. Don't let others decide your limits and do what you can to help others despite push back and negative feedback.

I give A Great Awakening 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters April 3, 2026.

By Adele B., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12

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A Great Awakening tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between the Reverend George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin that resulted in one of the most defining moments in American history. With the colonies on the brink of collapse, the Reverend George Whitefield ignites the first Great Awakening, uniting an entire generation with his thundering and faithful sermons and proclamations of liberty. In a miraculous turn of events, one of Whitefield's closest friends and greatest promoters becomes none other than Benjamin Franklin. With the nation's freedom hanging in the balance, the founders discover true liberty cannot only be written into law - it must be awakened in the hearts of the people.