Courageous (film)

Courageous is a 2011 American independent Christian drama film directed by Alex Kendrick and written by Kendrick with his brother Stephen Kendrick. The film also stars Alex, along with Ken Bevel, Kevin Downes, and Ben Davies.

Adam Mitchell

• I now believe that God desires for EVERY father to courageously step up and do whatever it takes to be involved in the lives of his children. But more than just being there providing for them, he is to walk with them through their young lives and be a visual representation of the character of God, their father in heaven. A father should love his children, and seek to win their hearts. He should protect them, discipline them, and teach them about God. He should model how to walk with integrity and treat others with respect, and should call out his children to become responsible men and women, who live their lives for what matters in eternity. Some men will hear this, and mock it. Or ignore it. But I tell you that as a father, you are accountable to God for the position of influence he has given you. You can't fall asleep at the wheel, only to wake up one day and realize that your job or your hobbies have no eternal value, but the souls of your children do. Some men will hear this and agree with it, but have no resolve to live it out. Instead, they will live for themselves, and waste the opportunity to leave a godly legacy for the next generation. But there are some men, who regardless of the mistakes we've made in the past, regardless of what our fathers did NOT do for us, will give the strength of our arms and the rest of our days to loving God with all that we are and to teach our children to do the same. And whenever possible to love and mentor others who have no father in their lives, but who desperately need help and direction. And we are inviting any man whose heart is willing and courageous, to join us in this resolution. In my home, the decision has already been made. You don't have to ask who will guide my family, because by God's grace, I will. You don't have to ask who will teach my son to follow Christ, because I will. Who will accept the responsibility of providing and protecting my family? I will. Who will ask God to break the chain of destructive patterns in my family's history? I will. Who will pray for, and bless my children to boldly pursue whatever God calls them to do? I am their father. I will. I accept this responsibility and it is my privilege to embrace it. I want the favor of God and his blessing on my home. Any good man does. So where are you men of courage? Where are you, fathers who fear the Lord? It's time to rise up and answer the call that God has given to you and to say I will. I will. I will!

Dialogue

[Adam realizes he hired a different Javier than the one Shane recommended].

Adam Mitchell: Hey.

Javier Martinez: Back from lunch already?

Adam Mitchell: Javier, what's your name?

Javier Martinez: [Confused] Javier...

Adam Mitchell: No, no, no, what's your full name?

Javier Martinez: Javier Eduardo Martinez. What's your full name?

Adam Mitchell: Adam Thomas Mitchell. Do you know Shane Fuller?

Javier Martinez: Shane Fuller? No. What's his full name?

Adam Mitchell: [Baffled] No, no, no. Who told you I was building a shed?

Javier Martinez: You did...

Adam Mitchell: Who told you I'd pay you $150 a day?

Javier Martinez: You did...

Adam Mitchell: [Bewildered] What?

Javier Martinez: How did you know to call me Javier?

Adam Mitchell: Because I thought your name was Javier.

Javier Martinez: It is.

Adam Mitchell: Why were you standing in my alley Monday morning?

Javier Martinez: Because I needed a job. Why did you ask me to help?

Adam Mitchell: Because I thought you were a guy named Javier.

Javier Martinez: I am...

Adam Mitchell: You don't...have a problem with your kidneys, do you?

Javier Martinez: No. Do you?

Adam Mitchell: No...I don't understand this...

Javier Martinez: Well, I'll say this: by giving me this job, has been an answer to my family's prayers.

Adam Mitchell: Well...you're doing good work. I'm gonna go get something to eat now.

Javier Martinez: You're hungry again already?

---

Nathan Hayes: Derrick, I appreciate your interest in my daughter. But until she's a little older, we're not allowing her to go out on dates.

Derrick: Look, this ain't even really a date. We're just try'na hang out.

Nathan Hayes: Mm-hm. It's important for us that she be older, and for us to know who she's with.

Derrick: You got a problem with me?

Nathan Hayes: Look Derrick, we just don't know you, okay? And any young man interested in my daughter needs to explain to me the purpose of the relationship.

Derrick: The purpose?? Look, it ain't like Im'ma take advantage of a fifteen year-old girl.

Nathan Hayes: Oh, I agree. Now look, if you'd like to get to know us better, you're welcome to join us for lunch on Sunday. We'd be happy to have you.

[Derrick huffs, shaking his head.]

Nathan Hayes: How'd you get that bruise on your face?

Derrick: You know what, that's none of your business. [Heading back to his car] You should let Jade make her own decisions.

---

Adam Mitchell: Pastor, I appreciate you meeting with me.

Pastor Rogers: You're welcome, Adam. I'm so sorry for what you and Victoria have been going through.

Adam Mitchell: I can't make sense of anything, you know? And, um, I guess I kind of feel like I'm in the dark. And I want to be there for Victoria, but, uh, my emotions are all over the place. So I don't know what to do.

Pastor Rogers: Adam, there needs to be a grieving process. And the Lord is the one that carries you through it. And it takes time. It takes time for healing.

Adam Mitchell: Healing?

Pastor Rogers: I've heard many people say that's lost a loved one that, in some ways, it's like learning to live with an amputation. You do heal, but you're never the same. But I would also say, that those who go through this and trust in the Lord, discover a comfort and an intimacy with God that most people never experience.

Adam Mitchell: I want to trust Him. I just don't understand what He's doing.

Pastor Rogers: Well, He doesn't promise an explanation. But He does promise to walk with us through the pain. And the hard choice, for you, is whether or not you're gonna be angry for the time you didn't have with her, or grateful for the time you did have.

Adam Mitchell: I don't want to be angry. I want to heal.

Pastor Rogers: How would you like for me to help you?

Adam Mitchell: I want to know what God expects of me as a father...and I want to know how to help my wife and my son.

---

[Adam and Shane are taking in a drug dealer named Lamont. He sits next to Javi, who is joining Adam and Shane for lunch. He pretends to be a murderous gang leader.]

Javier Martinez: [English subtitles] We are going to lunch. I am getting a chicken sandwich...and a lemonade.

Lamont: Hey man, hey, what's he saying man?

Adam Mitchell: Hey man, just don't talk to him and stay on your side.

Javier Martinez: [English subtitles] I may even get...some waffle fries and a milkshake!

Lamont: Hey! Hey, he's threatening me! I think he wants to kill me!

Shane Fuller: Just calm down! If he wanted to kill you, you'd be dead by now.

[Javi pretends to free himself from handcuffs.]

Lamont: HEY, HE'S FREE! HEY, HE'S FREE! STOP THE CAR! STOP THE CAR!

Javier Martinez: Snake king! Snake king!

[Adam and Shane crack up as Lamont freaks out over Javier acting crazy.]

---

David Thomson: Do you really feel like it messed up your childhood, not having a dad?

Nathan Hayes: More than you know. I struggled with who I was, trying to prove myself. I almost got in a gang. You know, if fathers just did what they're supposed to do, half of the junk we face on the streets wouldn't exist. Why you worried about it? You nervous about being a father one day?

David Thomson: I already am one.

Nathan Hayes: [In surprise] You got a kid?

David Thomson: A little girl. She's four now. I was playing ball in college, hooked up with a cheerleader. I told her to take care of it, she didn't do it. So I got mad and left her to deal with it herself. You know, she lives thirty minutes away now, and I can't bring myself to go see her.

Nathan Hayes: She married?

David Thomson: No. I just never really loved her, you know. And then, hearing you guys talking about how, fathers walking out mess up the kids. And then seeing this stuff. I don't wanna be one of those guys.

Nathan Hayes: David, part of being a man is about taking responsibility. Any fool can have a child.

David Thomson: I'm just tired of feeling guilty.

Nathan Hayes: Well, let me break it to you this way: you are guilty. Listen, one day, you, me, and every one of us is gonna have to stand before God. And He's gonna do what good judges do.

David Thomson: Well then, I hope my good outweighs my bad, Nathan.

Nathan Hayes: That's not the way it works, you know that. Let me put it this way: who's the person you're closest to?

David Thomson: Probably my mom.

Nathan Hayes: Okay. Suppose she was brutally attacked and murdered in a parking lot. The guy was caught, and put on trial. But he says, "Hey judge, I committed this crime, but, I've done a lot of good in my life." If the judge let him go free, would you say he's a good judge or a bad judge?

David Thomson: A bad one.

Nathan Hayes: That's right. Because the Bible says that God is a good judge, and He will punish the guilty, not for what they did right, but for what they did wrong. Because He loved us, He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment that we deserve, and put it on himself. And that's why he died on the cross. But it only applies if you accept it. That's why I asked for His forgiveness. I asked Him to save me. And I'm a new man because of Christ. Do you understand what I'm telling you? [David nods] Then what's holding you back?

David Thomson: Nothing.

---

Mr. Tyson: I trust you've had time to think about our conversation yesterday.

Javier Martinez: Yes sir, I did.

Mr. Tyson: And what did you decide? Are you on my team?

Javier Martinez: Mr. Tyson, I am very grateful to have a job here. But I cannot do as you have asked.

Mr. Tyson: And why is that?

Javier Martinez: Because it is wrong sir. It would be dishonoring to my God and my family to lie on that report.

Mr. Tyson: Do you understand what this may do to your job here?

Javier Martinez: Yes, sir. I do.

Mr. Tyson: Javier, may I shake your hand? Young man, you just gave me the right answer. I have been looking for someone to manage inventory and shipping, and quite frankly, you were the last person on my list. But I need somebody I can trust. Will you take the job? We'll adjust your pay.

Javier Martinez: I would be honored to, sir.

Mr. Tyson: Good. Then the job is yours. Now, Walter will go over all the specifics with you, and I'll make an announcement to the staff on Monday. Congratulations, Javier. Oh, and Javier, thanks for your integrity. It's rare.

Waiter: Well done, Javier. After six times, I was getting discouraged.

---

[Adam has caught Shane attempting to steal drugs to resell on the streets.]

Adam Mitchell: What are you doing?

Shane Fuller: [Instantly rises from his seat] Adam.

Adam Mitchell: So it's you. This is what you've been doing?

Shane Fuller: What? Just double checking the count before I turn it in?

Adam Mitchell: No, no, no, don't lie to me. You got bags in your pocket right now.

[Shane pulls the bag out and places it on the table.]

Shane Fuller: You're not gonna turn me in. You'd just make a big, ugly mess, and embarrass the entire department. Besides, it'd be your word against mine.

Nathan Hayes: [Entering the scene] No it wouldn't.

Shane Fuller: Oh, I see. You thought this whole thing out. Two cops camp out to bust their friend.

Adam Mitchell: What've you been doing the last month? What did you commit to?

Shane Fuller: Oh, don't you throw that in my face! I work hard to provide, and $36,000 a year doesn't cut it! You'd do the same thing!

Adam Mitchell: I *wouldn't* do the same thing. Does your word mean nothing to you? You signed the same thing we did, and you're throwing it down the toilet for, what, an extra thousand a month?!

Nathan Hayes: Adam...

Adam Mitchell: You've been lying to all of us, Shane. Your friends, your son, to God!

Nathan Hayes: Adam...

Shane Fuller: I'm a fellow officer and a friend. You do no want to do this.

Adam Mitchell: You're right. I don't.

[Officers come in to arrest Shane.]

---

[Derrick is in the back of the police car after apprehending his gang leader in an intense shootout.]

Nathan Hayes: Derrick, what are you doing? Why are you with these guys?

Derrick: [Breaking into tears] I got nobody. I just got nobody, man.

[Nathan pats him on the shoulder.]

Cast

• Alex Kendrick as Adam Mitchell
• Ken Bevel as Nathan Hayes
• Kevin Downes as Shane Fuller
• Ben Davies as David Thomson
• Renee Jewell as Victoria Mitchell
• Elanor Brown as Kayla Hayes
• Taylor Hutcherson as Jade Hayes
• Robert Amaya as Javier Martinez
• Rusty Martin as Dylan Mitchell
• Angelita Nelson as Carmen Martinez
• Lauren Etchells as Emily Mitchell
• Donald Howze as Derrick Freeman
• Tony 'T.C.' Stallings as T.J.
• Ed Litton as Pastor Rogers