Faith is not an attribute many would associate with actor George Lopez, whose most popular content is not exactly family-friendly. However, the Hollywood favorite recently spoke of how his faith upbringing still influences his life today and becomes especially apparent in his newest film, Walking with Herb.
Walking with Herb premieres exclusively in theaters, April 30, May 1 and May 3 for a limited three-night Fathom Events engagement.
“Amid a crisis of faith, an amateur golfer receives a startling message from God on his computer screen,” a synopsis of the film describes. Lopez plays the angel, Herb, sent to amateur golfer Joe to steer him back to the faith Herb lost after his granddaughter’s death.
“I think in the movie, as either a messenger or God Himself, people are vessels for faith and vessels for love and compassion. You don’t even have to know somebody to make them feel better,” Lopez says of his role during his interview.
According to a Movieguide® review, Walking with Herb “stresses overcoming doubt and disappointment with faith in God and being obedient to God. The movie also has an uplifting message about helping and inspiring other people.”
Tickets are now on sale at @AMCTheatres, @Cinemark, and other theaters near you.
Walking With Herb will show you the impossible is possible with a little bit of faith and guidance.
In theaters on April 30, May 1, and May 3.
Reserve your tickets NOW! https://t.co/uJk0oERZ30 pic.twitter.com/BIY1f58xdX
— Walking With Herb Movie (@WalkingWithHerb) March 26, 2021
The inspiration for this faith-based film came from a Joel Osteen sermon. Creator Ross Marks happened to turn his radio station to a Lakewood Church sermon, which sparked a desire to craft a story about the same message being preached: hope.
“He was preaching this message of hope—that trust, belief and life can be great. I thought, That’s a wonderful message. That’s the type of movie I should make,” the director and producer said.
Finding the perfect actor to portray both depth and humor in a way that would foster connection with the audience was a no-brainer for Marks.
“I wanted a comedic actor that would make the audience laugh,” Marks continues, speaking of the process of casting the guardian angel, Herb. “He has some powerful, dramatic moments in the movie, but it’s really important for me that the audience enjoy the film and laugh and cry.”
But nobody could have predicted the deep similarities between the film’s plot and the life of Marks’ father-in-law, Medoff Marks.
Medoff died while Walking with Herb was in post-production, crafting a legacy of his work and also serving as God’s last effort to reach his lost soul.
Though he grew up as an atheist, Marks believes his father-in-law came to faith in Jesus through the film’s production.
“The film is dedicated to him and this is the last project that he ever worked on—and I think he would be so proud,” he says. “This is the most personal movie that I’ve ever made in that Mark, my mentor, my father-in-law and partner, was an atheist. And he was very ill when we were making the movie. I think the movie brought about peace and brought Mark some faith. At the end of Mark’s life, he became a believer. I think he found something that he wouldn’t have found had we not made this movie.”
The film, both through its highlight of the saving grace of God and the way it has already been used to touch lives, is evidence of God’s power at work. The film, like people who choose to be used by God, are just the vessels for His work to be accomplished.
“All of this stuff that is in Hollywood, the scripts, it’s all man-made!” Lopez concludes. “Everything else—faith and love—is made by the Almighty. So if you think that Hollywood is the end-all, be-all, it’s really not.” {eoa}
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