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The Big Kahuna is significant not only because it challenges us to live more authentic lives of faith, but it does so without creating a flimsy, straw man Christian to illustrate the need. Despite the many ways in which Bob falls short, he remains an admirable character who is grounded in his convictions. He is not ashamed of the gospel, either in sharing or in living it. Although he might have more to learn about humility, he does not use his inexperience as an excuse to play wallflower. When the grief-stricken dog owner wonders aloud about mortality and eternity, Bob is ready to give a reason for the hope that he has (1 Peter 3:15).I hunger for more stories like Bob's or LAPD officer Jim Kurring's (John C. Reilly) in Magnolia—evangelical laymen who struggle to balance their profession with their duty to God. Though flawed and awkward, these characters shine light on the moral conundrums Christians face today. They remind me of my need to strive for perfection, the certainty I'll fall short, and the abundance of God's grace that bridges the gap.

Steve Lansingh, who writes the weekly Film Forum department for ChristianityToday.com, is editor ofthefilmforum.com, a weekly Internet magazine devoted to Christianity and the cinema.

The Big Kahuna 's official site offers information about the film, the cast and crew, trailers and clips, and a few links.In his review for the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert noted,"Now here's a funny thing. This movie premiered last January at Sundance. A lot has been written about it since then. You can read about the actors, the dialogue, the convention, the Kahuna, the industrial lubricants. But you can search the reviews in vain for any mention of Jesus Christ. Most of the reviewers seem to have forgotten that Bob is born again. Maybe it never registered."Steve Lansingh's Film Forum rounded up what Christian film critics said about The Big Kahuna. The article included comments from The Phantom Tollbooth's J. Robert Parks, Ted Baehr's Movieguide, Phil Boatwright of the Dove Foundation, a thread at the OnFilm discussion group, Holly McClure and Michael Elliot of Crosswalk.com, and Preview's John Adair.

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June (Web-only) 2000, Vol. 44