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You really seem to zero in on the pain that Cassie's character experiences. She loves her daughter, but her loneliness causes her to accept a bad situation. Why was it so important to develop that character?

Jakes: Cassie's character shows how fear of being alone—and mental oppression that some women experience—can cause them to compromise the safety of their children. She looks at herself, and believes Reggie is the best she can do in a partner. He reinforces that, saying things like I'm the best man you'll ever have, Cassie. It's not that he locks her in the house every day before he goes to work. She can run at any moment. But constantly saying I'm the best deal you're going to ever get leaves her in an imprisoned situation.

I'm also trying to tell mothers, Listen to your daughter. She may not be lying. She's trying to tell you something, so look into it.

The portrayal of the church is pretty significant in a couple of ways. For one thing, most of the church scenes were shot during actual services, right?

Jakes: That's one of the unique things about the film. Those were actual services, that's really the choir, there were actually people coming to Christ as the actors were in the auditorium. One of the reasons we wanted it that way is because most of the time when Hollywood plays church, it looks like they're playing church. It doesn't look real. What was also interesting was that many of the actors who don't attend a service like that were really awed and inspired by the services themselves. So there's a strange mixture between acting and reality there.

The film also has some hard questions for churches.

Jakes: At one point, Michelle's character yells, "How can this be the house of God when hypocrites like you are here?" I think one of the things that needs to be said is that the church is not a spiritual club for religious elitists who have arrived. When we define ourselves like that, we alienate ourselves from any potential of evangelism. We need to be seen as a therapeutic place, as a hospital for broken people to come. We need to admit the fact that just because you said a sinner's prayer doesn't mean that everything is okay for the next thirty-five years. When we perpetuate that myth, people who are in crisis are more worried about their reputation in the church and less secure in their opportunity to be healed. But in this case, instead of an outsider blowing the whistle on the church, it's the church blowing the whistle.

Jakes even has a role in the film

You've spoken of some of the benefits that you see coming from the film. What are some of the risks you feel you're taking?

Jakes: The first risk is the business risk—putting millions of dollars into something when you don't know if anybody's going to pay attention. The only reason any of us are willing to make the risk was that we believe in the message.

Then there is the risk that any time you discuss something of that magnitude, hurting people will go deeper into hiding rather than come to the forefront. That's why I think it's important that churches own the film. It's also why we want churches and social institutions to work together to bring awareness to their communities.

Why do you believe that partnerships between churches and social services are so important?

Jakes: A lot of people will see the film and enjoy it as entertainment. They'll laugh at the funny parts, weep at the serious parts and go home. And we meant for it to be entertaining. But for many people this is reality. The movie doesn't end. We need to be there for those people and to make sure they can see some of the options that are available to them.

The problems the film addresses are everybody's problem, not just the church's problem. We certainly have a responsibility to be involved in the process, because counseling alone can't regenerate the heart. Preaching does that. But regeneration of the heart doesn't always typify the restoration of a wounded mind. We're transformed by the Word, and by the renewing of our minds. That transformation is a process, and clergy should not feel embarrassed to invite the support of counselors.

More information about the film—and materials for assisting abuse victims and those who care for them—can be found on the film's official website, www.wtalmovie.com.

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