Priceless (2016) Online

I don't get why the reviews are so favourable for this movie? The screenplay and dialogue between the actors are awful and the acting has a lot to be desired. The movie deals with some hard hitting subjects but fails miserably. It was literally cliché after cliché after cliché and some terrible music chucked in for dramatic affect. The ending was a cringe- inducing cheese-fest and made me angry that i wasted the last 2 hours watching such rubbish. This will be the last time i chose a movie based on the ratings on IMDb.

Any positives? Yes. Some of the videography was very nicely captured especially some of the scenic country shots.

From many of the other reviews I was really expecting something special, I have just seen Lion and so my expectations might be a little high as that is a great film.

What can I say? Not sure why the high scores from so many reviewers but I can only suspect they were simply adding their "SHILLings" to the mix and have no idea what they are talking about.

Bad "made for TV" movie comes to mind, sub-par acting. No real depth to the characters, forgettable in every way with cliché after cliché. Bad Music, bad set pieces, lazy script.

Hour and a half of my life i'll never get back. C'est la vie

This movie is a gripping, moving, and powerful revelation into the dark world of human trafficking. Many negative reviews were watching this for entertainment but this movie was filmed as almost a story telling documentary. Too many people live in a fantasy world and don't want to face the harsh reality that lay just beneath our everyday life. This story is a wake-up call and should be absorbed as such.

Joel portrays James, a man at the end of his rope who finds purpose in helping those trapped in this terrible world. His evolution and triumph in the face of adversity should be a lesson to all. Thank you Small bone family for such an amazing film. God Bless

I had no idea what I was getting into with this movie. Throughout the whole film I kept getting the feeling that it was really trying hard to make the good guy look cool. To make doing the right thing seem like the right thing to do. I really like that. The bad guys weren't overly glorified or vilified either. I don't think they went too far, and it doesn't smack of the in your face over the top cheese-fest that other movies dealing with the subject usually have. I know the story well from made-for-TV movies though never was it so professionally shot or well acted.

There are only a few gripes i have about the movie, and they are personal irks that I can understand probably were taken into consideration and decided against by the creators.

1,) I really wish they had used the word RAPE at any point in the film. Everything else was so honest and boldfaced that it seems a shame to try and sugar coat it with euphemisms and allusions. 2,) The end seems really rushed and cut short. There are a lot of questions left unanswered, but I believe it is because they needed to get their message out after the climax instead of a concise denouement. 3,) They could have done a better job with working in the daughter and her relationship and importance to James. As it is it seems a bit contrived and little fake.

None of those are great detriments, and the message is important too. The movie was legitimately entertaining and kept my attention from very early on. I'm planning on watching it again with certain friends and recommending it as well. I'm glad I saw it.

After reading so many positive reviews, many a bit too over the top to be honest, however I thought it was worth a shot, no it wasn't. One reviewer called it "amazing". Amazing? Really? No, what it was was slow, and ponderous and B O R I N G. The movie deals with an important subject to be sure, that of sex trafficking, and with a bit of imagination (including a better script and acting), even on a small budget you could do this important subject justice, but not in this case. You never get the feeling of tension, of adrenaline rushing heart pounding fear that our protagonist would expect to feel if he really was put in the situation you see in this movie. I found myself having to force myself to sit through this movie and I don't say that about a lot of movies. If you want to see a REAL heart wrenching movie on this difficult subject, watch Lilya 4-ever. That movie deserves it's high rating, not so Priceless, it should be rated much lower in my opinion.

First off, good movie! I was engaged, as well as impressed. I had pretty low expectations honestly, and it surpassed those.

This movie is, in my opinion, a first for Christian movies. It seeks to cover a subject that's actually important in our non-Christian world today, and does a quite commendable job at doing so.

It had its issues story-wise, but I can't complain. The acting was decent, the actual subject matter was well covered (I mean, come on---it's a family-oriented-ish Christian movie! Didn't expect them to go that deep!), and it wasn't boring. Props to the Smallbone Brothers for going where no Christian filmmaker dare go...until now.

The only thing Priceless about this movie was my time wasted in watching it. The movie started out OK, as the main character had to deal with his own personal issues. The movie started to fail when the main character made a discovery whereby the obvious was... well, obvious. Unfortunately, at that time in the movie, the focus became more a message about "having faith, and believe". This message kept popping up throughout the movie, yet it often seemed out of context with the issues at hand. I particularly disliked how the movie made it appear that these and the other women (victims) made a choice to be in this situation. This movie failed in a big way in not addressing the severity and tragedy of this issue. The main characters decision were lame when it came how he was going to deal with this problem. This is such a big issue and I would hope any right thinking human being would report to authorities who would actually deal with the problem. Acting was mediocre. Plot was weak. Theme could have been good, but failed in getting the real message out about the issue. I've tried really hard to not make any significant spoilers for this movie, but at this point I just have to say it, so if you've read this review up to this point and still want to see the movie, please don't read the following. Human trafficking is an issue that must be taken seriously. This movie cared more about it's message of "God has a plan" and you're on a journey while God watches over you - is pure BS. The movie is one big fail.

It's seems wrong to call a movie that deals about human trafficking awesome but it was. The story was good (I like how it shows that human trafficking is happening not just in other countries and not just to Mexicans but to Americans as well) and it had some humor in it too (you have to have some otherwise your body wouldn't be able to handle the suspense). Joel Smallbone was excellent and I didn't hear any breaks (where the person's accent breaks through the accent they're doing) in his American accent, Bianca A. Santos was excellent as Antonia, Amber Midthunder was so cute as Maria and Sierra Rose Smith was adorable as Emmy Stevens. I can't of any time in the movie where there was bad acting.

I can say, without a doubt, that this is one of the best and most thought-provoking movies I've seen in years. It is romantic, action-packed, gut-wrenching and Joel Smallbone delivers an amazing performance. Every time I hear the song Priceless, I might as well grab a Kleenex, because it has become my new "Christmas Shoes" (will make me blubber). You will feel a call-to-action at the end and I pray that many act on it and become involved in Priceless the Movement. Actors' performances are solid. The filmography is engaging.The story is gripping and suspenseful. And the audience is blessed. I hope more see the movie in theaters and show the entertainment industry what kind of content we are looking for in the movies we pay to go see.

PRICELESS – the movie is SPOT ON! A MUST SEE!! I read the book first waiting for the movie release & the adaptation from book to movie screen was well executed. All of the actors did a phenomenal job. Joel Smallbone made the character of "James" come to life! There was laughter & tears at different parts of the movie. Seeing & hearing the slowed down version of the song "Priceless" (for King & Country) in the movie on the BIG SCREEN was so moving & I had already seen that part online. But WOW! I am so impressed with the movie & the message they portray - it needs to be spread – www.priceless movement.com - woman need to know their worth & men need to step up (chivalry & respect). Lastly the horrific nightmare that is human trafficking MUST continue to have a spot light shown BRIGHT on it & people need to realize it is a world-wide nightmare, even in the USA. It must be stopped at all costs!

Warning: topics covered below are of a violent nature & may be triggering.

Synopsis: widower who loses custody of his daughter" (through violent drunken behaviour & self-absorbed grief) takes on new job: drive a truck across the country, no questions asked. But when he discovers what he is delivering (a very attractive young woman & her little sister) "he is faced with a life-changing choice.

The two young Mexican sisters enter the US illegally to pay off their father's debts. Expecting to work in waitressing type jobs they actually find out they've been sold to a prostitution ring. What you need to know is that the movie is advertised as Human Trafficking awareness & as a Christian film. Both statements are wrong. Below are just some of the major problems of "Priceless".

1) It's all about... him. Poor him faced with choices, poor him needs to save the day, oh how he suffers, and seemingly thinks there isn't much urgency, (or any authorities in the whole USA whatsoever to turn to!), while the sisters go through hell every extra hour he wastes... He also perfectly fits all the stereotypical categories of what a hero supposedly should look like: young, healthy, good looking, white, male, & American.

2) Women characters are emotionless & passive - even after sequestration, rape, & forced prostitution. "Heroine" even blames male protagonist for not stopping her getting into the pimp's van, even though she entered it willingly & knowingly. She does however stick up for her teen sister, but has no other substance to her character. The helpless damsel in distress.

3) Only his crush is worth his effort saving - several times the "hero" tries convincing her to abandon her little sister & is frustrated at her refusal!!? And the other women in need of rescue aren't a concern to him at all...

4) Major suspension of disbelief is a requirement for the viewing of this movie. For example:

• irresponsible father regains custody of his child the same year he punches & threatens someone with a gun to their head... in a packed kids' park
• another man is murdered but somehow manages to change his will from beyond the grave, to leave some land to a yet-to-be invented association at time of his death

5) Women, once "used", then as good as dead - as is eloquently explained to Mr. Rapist Pimp:

• "You are a murderer. There's no difference between a murderer and someone who steals a girl's innocence and kills her soul."

Because apparently to the writers of "Priceless" female rape survivors have no more soul...!! Both unBiblical and harmful.

6) Heroes & villains live by one same law: that violence is the key & fists are the tool.

7) Care about women, do you? Just not enough to employ them though, right? Men are given credit 26 times (!!!) before a single woman's name rolls by in the credits!

8) At 1:35:00 we finally get the movie's message: human trafficking awareness... by promoting its OWN website, which in turn then promotes various intervention-capable associations & emergency phone numbers. Why was any of this directly inserted into the movie storyline and/or at the end, for viewers to take note of? So what was the point of the movie...

9) Why would the movie's website recommend for ex-sex workers to join an addiction recovery program. Seriously. How more ineducated and insulting can you get?

10) Under the website's "Give" section is written: "One of the best ways to prevent the trafficking and exploitation of children is through eradicating one of the root causes of the issue, poverty". Except NO. That's blaming the victim. The N°1 cause of trafficking? Men's greed & lust. Invest in educating male populations too!

11) The "Representation Test" by the "Miss Representation" Team result, as of now, for this movie: F.

As a woman, a Christian, and a human being, I am disappointed at the lost opportunity, and shocked, saddened, and disgusted at this men-centric vision of life. "Priceless" is a feel- good movie for men, by men, about men.

I was kind of nervous about watching Priceless, but it was a really good experience for me. I was glad to see that the female lead was brave and strong, much more than just a victim in need of rescue, and I got so into the story that I was able to forget that I know the lead male actors from other work. All the actors do a great job of making the characters seem real, even if they were written as a bit too good (or bad) to be true. Honestly, some of the dialogue, especially the opening voice over, got pretty cheesy when it drifted into moral territory, but I wouldn't say this is a film just for religious people. The characters talk about God in terms of "not being alone" or "that little voice" - pretty generic terms that probably fit most people's beliefs.

I had never even considered going to see a "Christian" film in theaters before, but I am SO glad I did! I've been thinking about this movie for over a week now because some scenes just stick with you! In Priceless, camera work is careful not to show too much but still make the situations look dangerous and adequately sleazy, and since it wasn't until the next day that I realized the language was super clean, that must not have affected the authenticity of the bad guys for me.

This is one of the BEST movies I've ever seen. Also, the soundtrack is amazing! This is a MUST SEE movie! The fight against human trafficking must be extremely difficult but definitely worth fighting against! Everyone should seriously watch this!

The only one good thing about this movie is the idea, but it completely dissolve in poor and amateur realization. Actors miscast, too much music and all over inappropriate palaces, artificial dialogues, rough editing, absolutely no rhythm. It seemed that the author copied too much from the real event and didn't bother to add some dramatic twist to make it more like a movie.

This movie is absolutely amazing! I have already went to see it twice in theaters. Priceless discusses the issues of modern day slavery as well as the worth of a human life. This movie had intense senses that were done very tastefully. You get the seriousness of what has happened without having to be exposed to seeing it play out. There is no cursing and the movie does NOT lack emphases on emotions as a result. I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone! If you know anything about the band that produced the movie, For King and Country, you know that this is a passion project for them. This low budget film contains more substance that most Hollywood productions. This movie provokes thought and remains you that it is never to late to start over. For King and Country has made it there goal to reach as many people as possible and remind them of their self worth.

If the message you're looking for is that atheists are always bad people and and the only good people are Jesus folk, then, by all means, watch and enjoy! This overly simplified view of humans is demeaning, self-righteous and just not true. The shallowness of the characters in this film belies the screenwriter's overly simplistic view of morality. Humans are complex. Acknowledgement of this would have made for a better film. And a curse word or two and acknowledgment of the rapes occurring would have also helped. I was groaning about half way through realizing that I was being preached such a repugnant and oversimplified message.

Priceless was an enjoyable movie with a powerful message. My husband and I very much appreciate movies without the completely unnecessary foul language and gratuitous sexual scenes- and although the subject matter deals with the very dark side of human trafficking and prostitution, it is done in a way that conveys the awful situation without blasting you in the face with graphic scenes.

The acting was mostly well done and scenery beautiful. So I won't give out too much of the ending, I'll just say we found it satisfying. And you don't need a movie with the quality of academy award winners to get across a very important message. Reviewing lower budget movies like "Priceless" by comparing them (or reviewing them with the same standards) as multi million dollar award winners isn't realistic- these movies are more message driven. And can still be enjoyed.

For the folks that criticized a faith-based film with faith inspired messages....well, the negative reactions are predictable. Of course people who don't believe in God will probably not like a movie that contains messages about God. Of course non-believers will think movies like this are "preachy" as they are intending to be. To each his own. So take those negative reviews in context. There are plenty of movies out there that have all the obscene language, graphic sex and violence, and worldly themes- it's refreshing to watch a good film with an important theme without all the garbage.

I don't write reviews, but had to on this one. Very well done! Definitely deserving of the high ratings I've seen.

Naive girls believing that they are going to be working as waitresses to pay off a debt are actually about to become victims of sex trafficking. They are unknowingly being transported by a man going through a difficult time simply trying to earn money. After learning that his cargo happens to be women, he has to ask himself some hard questions.

This was a good film. I would suggest that this film is meant to be used for it educational, ethical and religious points. It was filmed without bad language, explicit sex scenes and little violence. I loved that this had a religious message. It is a reality that many women become victims and lose their self worth in the process. This was a wonderful testament to how precious we are and how even if we are tarnished, we remain priceless in God's eyes and the eyes of those who know His love. I enjoyed it.

This movie is about the worst of the worst and once I realized what was going to happen, I couldn't watch it all. I skipped to the end.

The Mexican woman that this movie focuses on believes in God. She was lied to and ends up in the worst nightmare any girl could endure and it is made worse because her younger sister is with her in it. Because this is a faith -based movie, I'm sure that much of the horror is sanitized, but you can't completely sanitize this subject.

There is a faith based message in this movie. At one point, it is stated plainly. It is a message that every person needs to hear, especially teens who every day face an assault on their picture of themselves.

Whether you believe in God at all in any way, the message in this movie is still important because the message is that we all need to fight against Human Trafficking.

I was hoping not to be disappointed, and I wasn't. The story-line (the rescue of those in bondage, specifically here sex-trafficking) is highly engaging, the video-quality is fantastic, the music is good, and the acting excellent. The subject is difficult and very sobering; it takes the gloves off pure evil, contrasting it with pure love. It definitely awakened me and all my girl friends (who went to see it) to the reality of just how well off we all are compared to so many others. I almost made it through the movie with dry eyes, but didn't quite. The message of the movie is clearly presented from beginning to end. Also, no cuss words. (That's always a plus.) The main actors's words hint strongly at the love of Jesus Christ...the only thing that could have made it better would be a clearer gospel presentation. But the movie will make you want to change the world!

when a whole movie is predictable after 5 minutes, plot, contents and acting gets pretty boring...when a whole movie is predictable after 5 minutes, plot, contents and acting gets pretty boring...when a whole movie is predictable after 5 minutes, plot, contents and acting gets pretty boring...when a whole movie is predictable after 5 minutes, plot, contents and acting gets pretty boring...when a whole movie is predictable after 5 minutes, plot, contents and acting gets pretty boring...when a whole movie is predictable after 5 minutes, plot, contents and acting gets pretty boring...

It should be noted: I'm an atheist and have been for 28 years. I live in the Bible Belt of the United States, and I used to be Southern Baptist. I used to debate all religions (mainly Protestant Christianity) regularly, past 3-4 years, not so much. I have read 14 versions of the Bible. I have read The Book of Mormon. I have read the Qu'ran. I have read the Torah/Tanakh. The Orthodox Jewish Bible. I have read The Masnavi. I have read Jainism by Ram Mohan Das. The only "atheist" book, I guess, I've read is The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine though he was a deist but close enough, eh? The reason I state all this is: human trafficking is done by humans. All types of humans including religious people. Actually, the vast majority of human traffickers in religiously dominated countries would be that particular country's main religion. You see my point?

Movies like this address such serious subjects from a blind eye. The main character is apparently an atheist. See, he used to be a good person (Christian) but he lost someone that metaphorically killed him and now he's a bad guy (atheist) but he's trying to find the path back to being good (Christian). Now, you could say I'm reading into this but look at it: he lost the woman he loved: who? Doesn't matter. It's not about that. It's the empty catalyst for him losing his faith. See, Christians only do good things which is ironic since they say they not only sin all the time but that they are sin itself but when it comes to bad things happening, no one ever seems to be a Christian. They're either some other religion (like Muslim, these days) or not a "True Christian" and therefore an atheist. If the majority of your country is of one religion or non-religion then the problem lies to the majority in those countries. If you can't look in the metaphorical mirror and see you (speaking in general) are part of the problem then the problem will never be solved. See, the scene toward the end when David Koechner's character is being tortured and he quotes from the NT, well of course the bad guy won't be swayed because he's an atheist. All bad guys in this film just need to find Jesus and Biblegod then they will stop the evil they're doing.

I've never been to prison, or jail. Got arrested when I was 14 for shoplifting while angry. Did my six months of community service. I was an idiot not a bad person. Don't you see, that's this films message: if you're a bad guy (who are all obviously atheist) all you have to do is accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and then you'll be a good guy. If you're just lost like the main character, don't worry, you'll be forgiven. Oh, and what a message the ending gives. This film does nothing but show that if you just believe in Jesus that that makes you good. I hate to break it to the filmmakers but many bad people are Christian and they believe in Jesus with all their heart and soul and in their mind Jesus will forgive them, as the Bible states in 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness".

Stop blaming atheists and non-Christians for the horrible things in the world. Don't get me wrong: they have had their part in some horrible things but if you think you can stop something like human trafficking by preaching the Bible, well, maybe you need to look into that mirror a little harder because there are 2.2 billion Christians in the world who, some of which, have and currently do such horrible things; especially in Christian dominated countries. The United States is dominated by Christians. Own up to the horrible things some Christians do and maybe you can start stopping such horrible things from happening. The two biggest causes of human trafficking is 1. Poverty and 2. Women and children seen as property (like in marriage, or religion, etc.,). Not believing in Jesus I don't think has ever made the list but what do I know, I'm just an evil atheist, right?

Disclaimer: I read the novelization prior to seeing the film. I have to admit I was dying to see this film after it previewed earlier this year during the WinterJam Tour Spectacular. The overall message of the film is great, and it is nowhere near the preachy, stuffy mess that bogs down most others like it--and this coming from a believer who loves those movies in spite of their flaws. The acting is superb, and the music, including a re- recording of fK&C's hit song "Priceless", the inspiration for the film, soars. Unfortunately, the film does fall a little short-- some scenes seem rushed and as though they were not meant to fit together. There are also several details and a few key plot points which were left out of the film, presumably to give it a 2 hr. run time. I also saw some critical reviews which accuse the film of watering down the issue of human trafficking for the sex trade, with which I now partially agree despite the understanding that it needed to be watered down in order to both maintain a PG- 13 rating and remain a family-friendly title.I left the theater feeling as though I had not been told the whole story of Antonia and her sister Maria, at least not in a way that made sense for the film to leave as was. As I left the theater, I did so desperately hoping it does well enough to warrant a worldwide theatrical release, and even (dare I utter it) a sequel to fill in some of the inescapable plot holes left at the film's conclusion. The Best of the best? Joel Smallbone's wrenching portrayal of James, a good man who has made mistakes following tragic losses. Bianca A. Santos' Antonia is instantly relatable and classic--a Latina who has no trust for men and whose only loyalty is to her 16 year old sister Maria (played to near perfection by Amber Midthunder). However, some of the other acting feels a bit too good for the situation, and the plot felt as if it were jumping through hoops at times to meet with the demand of the story while neglecting certain other aspects which might have led to better character development. The film also makes attempts at a "light at the end of the tunnel" scenario, something it ultimately executes quite well. At its core, Priceless is still a film worth seeing. It's one I believe needs to be shown to most modern day girls so that they understand their self worth in a way that can never be taught properly without examples like the ones given by Antonia and Maria.

Priceless is a film about the redemption of a man named James, whose life spiraled out of control into depression after the death of his wife. As an angry widowed single father with a short fuse, James was incapable of keeping a job for very long let alone taking care of his preteen daughter Emerson. She is taken by the state; his mother-in- law - with whom James has a prickly relationship - is awarded custody.

The movie begins with James, a decent man who's lost his faith (as so many do) in the midst of his trials, taking a sketchy job out of desperation for money. A "friend" arranges for James to drive a locked U-haul of unspecified cargo across country without stopping, except for food and gas.

After a minor accident on the highway, James hears crying in the back of the truck, which he opens to discover two teenage Hispanic females, whom he later learns speak English. The older one's name is Antonia; Maria is her 16 year old sister. James treats the girls kindly, and even protects them from a redneck in a gas station. Antonia and James have a brief discussion about faith, hers is strong while his has faded. Apparently the sisters' family owes a debt that they'll need to work off as waitresses, at least that's what they were told.

However, it soon becomes clear that James, Antonia and Maria are really pawns in a human trafficking scheme. James really wanted to believe otherwise, so desperate to keep a promise to see his daughter, that he delivered the sisters into the hands of the somewhat "charming" though nefarious Garo, and his flunky CJ. Even Antonia seemed unaware of her fate, but is forced to agree to serve Garo's purposes in order to save Maria from also having to become a prostitute.

But James's conscience - with some prodding from a local motel owner named Dale - leads him to try to rescue the sisters from their predicament. James discovers that the police aren't necessarily interested in the vice; one is actually complicit as a customer. But he and Dale, who helps James reconnect with his moral anchor in God by reminding him of Antonia's faith at the discovery of her gold cross necklace, fight the good fight and prevail in the end.

A restored man, James and his now wife Antonia, are called to serve by rescuing young girls off the streets, from the sex trade to their recovery ranch, where Maria, Emerson and others provide the love and support they need to know how valued they are - priceless, in fact - by God.