The Overnighters (2014)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

I wanted to but couldn't!

Great Film overall

best movie i've ever seen.

This film is definitely not your typical documentary where certain highlighted persons will mostly succeed in their endeavors. As a matter of fact, as it progressed it turned darker and darker eventually leading to some real shockers at the end.The movie centers on the tireless efforts of 57-year-old Pastor Jay Reinke, of the Concordia Lutheran Church, in Williston, North Dakota., as he tries to run and keep open what has become known as the Overnighters program.Thousands of people have been flocking to Williston to find jobs and the promise of extremely high wages in the then booming oil fracking business. However, many make the journey with little or no money and no place to live. Thus, Pastor Reinke organized the Overnighters program to give these people temporary sleep areas on the church floors or in their cars on church property, believing this is the Christian thing to do by helping others.He will face, though, rising opposition from neighbors, city government, the city newspaper, and even his own congregants. Eventually, we will see things begin to fall apart not only with the program, but with the people that have been chosen by the filmmakers to follow. Finally, I won't reveal it but we get a real shocker as the film nears its end, that I certainly did not see coming.In summary, this documentary, directed by Jesse Moss is, as mentioned, not your typical film of this genre, and left me at the end feeling quite unsettled and sad.

I'm not a religious person by any means, but half-way through seeing this, the movie almost starts to rope you in. Pastor Jay Reinke of Concordia Lutheran Church in Williston, ND seems to be practicing what he preaches. He does so by helping those arriving in town for work due to the state's oil boom with accommodations in the church or church parking lot- and sometimes even in his home. Some of those arriving in town have felonies in their past, and Reinke even lets them live in his house with his children nearby, so I kept expecting something to happen. But what does end up happening (not to give anything away) was quite a shock- and ultimately made the film for me. Whether you're religious or not, I really think you can get something out of this, even if just a lesson on being non-judgmental, and helping your fellow man...

I didn't find this all that interesting until revelations and turns in the story midway. It is rather sort of fascinating the film just started off sort of maybe having this figure in high regard, and then switching that around when we have to come to terms with the question of how likable or unlikable the primary figure is. Those are always the most interesting documentaries, and this seems to ask a lot of those questions in that regard.But the film still holds slow spots at times, and the ending leaves a lot to be desired. It's also rather uncomfortable to watch at times, since I felt like the primary figure did a lot of good but personality-wise also could be quite difficult to stand.

This documentary is gold. As the ending titles begin, you may feel that your world will never be the same. If you were raised and possibly scarred from your small, primarily Christian hometown, this film will especially hit home (pun intended). I watched it with my boyfriend. We were both left questioning our existence. I think they call that thought-provoking. Following are samples of my own questions. My boyfriend was left with many more questions of his own. Where is the balance between Christian love and Christian judgment? Must there be an 'us' and a 'them'? Is doing good for others in essence a selfish act? Do we recognize others' needs and fulfill them just in part to be recognized ourselves? Is the need to feel needed just the need for attention or recognition? Is it narcissistic to think we can bring positive change in others' lives? Must we realize how small we are and what our capabilities are in fulfilling others needs? When can we feel truly fulfilled in the small, local, sometimes unrecognized but integral good we do? How can we feel validated in the good we do for others without applause? To me a great film is not necessarily one that leaves me with questions. A great film is one that does not leave me for many days. This film will surely have me thinking for a very long while.