The Light

A Trost Moving Pictures production and presentation in colaboration with Narrative Television Network and Future Image Films. Created by Jason Stafford. Executive producers, Jim Stovall, Tracy J. Trost. Directed, compiled by Tracy J. Trost, in line with the novel by Jim Stovall.With: Jason London, Meredith Salenger, L. Scott Caldwell, Sarah Brown, Cameron Ten Napel, Muse Watson, Louis Gossett Junior., Steve Forbes.There is a heaping helping of inspiring uplift to see relatives auds to sample in "The Light," an innocuous feel-good indie in regards to a deeply depressed guy saved with a mystical spirit. Theatrical prospects are dim, for a restricted regional release -- pic can be obtained via VOD -- though almost always there is the opportunity that the unabashedly wholesome trifle similar to this could strike a responsive chord with individuals who feel too rarely offered by mainstream Hollywood fare. Homevid and niche-cable prospects are substantially better, so long as the producers can effectively direct their marketing toward exactly the same audiences attracted to belief-based fare. That same target aud responded well to "The Best Gift," a 2007 release that, like "The Light," was modified from the popular novel by Jim Stovall. To be certain, the sooner pic soft-pedaled its religious elements -- discussions of belief and God were fleeting, almost subliminal -- and "Light" comes off as much more secular. But author-director Tracy J. Trost aims for virtually exactly the same kind of heart-yanking sentimentality present with dramas by which figures get their hopes clarified and hearts lifted. Early moments illustrate author Stanley Walters (Jason London) like a guy in dire will need a shot at redemption. 2 yrs after helplessly seeing the accidental dying of his youthful boy, he remains so consumed by guilt and grief he barely can contact his wife, Lisa (Meredith Salenger), a smaller amount develop a book that he's been compensated a substantial advance. Stanley does not start to leave his funk until Lisa luckily makes having an old oil light. By rubbing it, she like magic summons Charles Montgomery III (Louis Gossett Junior.), a courtly, spiffily outfitted stranger who demands he's "a messenger," not really a genie - -- but nonetheless purports to fulfill three wishes for that anxious Lisa and skeptical Stanley. (It ought to be noted that Charles plainly refrains from revealing -- and Stanley and Lisa strangely neglect to request -- just whose "messenger" he's.) Because it works out, there's hardly any miracle active in the resolution of the plot which involves a beneficent next-door neighbor (L. Scott Caldwell) who cares for promote children along with a feisty orphan girl (Cameron Ten Napel) who needs loving parents along with a savvy baseball coach. Indeed, the literal-minded dialogue and primary-colored performances throughout "The Light" suggest everyone concerned were going to keep things as basic and understandable as you possibly can. Completely foreseeable yet undemandingly enjoyable, the pic, handsomely lensed on Oklahoma locations, will benefit from encouraging person to person and grassroots promotion. Steve Forbes includes a quiet cameo as Stanley interviews stars for his book.Camera (color), Randy Stuehm editor, Stuehm music, Jason Moore production designer/art director, Chris Rose set decorator, Kara Paslay seem, Kabe Cornell supervisory seem editor, Mark Keefer assistant director, Jason Stafford casting, Amber Horn, Danielle Aufiero. Examined on DVD, Houston, August. 11, 2011. Running time: 95 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com