"The Second Chance": Positive messages banally delivered

In "The Second Chance," Christian-music recording star Michael W. Smith plays Ethan, an associate pastor forced by his wealthy suburban church, The Rock, to work with the inner-city Second Chance Church. When he arrives, he finds that pastor Jake (Jeff Obafemi Carr) is not exactly doing cartwheels over his presence, always skeptical about the motivation of the haves coming to work with the have-nots.

Movie review

Showtimes and trailer

"The Second Chance," with Michael W. Smith, Jeff Obafemi Carr. Directed by Steve Taylor, from a screenplay by Taylor, Chip Arnold and Ben Pearson. 102 minutes. Rated PG-13 for violence, mild language and drug references. Pacific Place.

Once you know the setup, the rest is fairly obvious. People from different backgrounds come together — hesitantly at first. There's very little twist in the plot twists, and the outcome is never in doubt.

Sure, there are lots of positive messages about following your calling and seeing how others live. But they would resonate better if the story wasn't so bland.