End of the Harvest

End of the Harvest is an intriguing and thought-provoking Christian-theme movie released in 1998, featuring performances by David A.R. White, Brad Heller, and Lance Zitron. Directed by Rich Christiano, the film invites its viewers to question the nature of faith, belief, and the concept of end times.

The plotline centers on Matt Whitaker, portrayed brilliantly by David A.R. White, a studious college senior majoring in philosophy. Unlike his peers, Matt is more interested in intellectual debates and philosophical inquiries about life, existence, and faith rather than engaging in the stereotypical college experiences of parties and socialising. Characterized by his skepticism, Matt views religious faith as nothing more than people's desperate attempt to find an explanation for the unexplainable.

Meanwhile, we're introduced to Brad Heller, who plays the character of an unknown man named Guy Sides. Unlike Matt, Guy is a firm believer in Christianity as he is convinced that the end times, as prophesied in the Bible, are upon them. He fervently searches for those who will listen and strives to convey his belief about the impending doomsday to a dismissive society around him.

As these two diverse characters cross paths on a university campus, a dialogue morphs into a discussion, and from thereon gradually escalifies into a full-blown debate. The movie beautifully illustrates the dynamic between the skeptical Matt and the passionate Guy, whose beliefs stand at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Recognizing Matt’s intellectual capacity, Guy decides to challenge him to organize an official debate comparing biblical theories about the end of the world to the scientific theories commonly accepted by society. Matt, being a cynic, accepts this as an opportunity to debunk and ridicule the idea of Armageddon based on biblical predictions.

On a parallel note, Lance Zitron, playing the character of Dan, is Matt’s best friend. Like Matt, he too is a Philosophy Major but finds himself often stuck in the middle of Matt’s skepticism and Guy’s faith-oriented arguments. His role provides an intriguing perspective to the narrative, maintaining a sense of balance throughout.

End of the Harvest ingeniously presents this engaging discourse which prompts the audience to question their beliefs about the end times. It delves deep into depicting the clash between science and faith, skepticism and belief, and proudly wears its Christian perspective on its sleeve. The movie's narrative doesn't shy away from going deep into the biblical prophecies about the end of the world, notably the Book of Revelations.

Moreover, the setting in a university campus brings forth an essential dimension in contrast to the ancient text's conversation, thereby displaying the relevance and timelessness of these issues. It emphasizes the importance of dialogue, discourse, and debate in a collegiate environment and confronts us with intellectual challenges that force us to question our faith, raising profound existential questions that we often avoid pondering upon.

David A.R. White, in his absorbing performance as Matt, successfully captures the nuances of a skeptic’s perspectives. Simultaneously, Brad Heller, with his compelling screen presence as Guy, beautifully represents the believers' segment, convincingly making a case for Christianity and its end times prophesies. Lance Zitron, playing Dan, perfectly embodies the man stuck in the middle and gives a balanced perspective to an otherwise polarizing narrative.

End of the Harvest, in its entirety, serves as an intellectual tour de force that explores the concepts of skepticism, faith, and end times in a profound and thought-provoking manner. This movie is definitely recommendable to those who seek films with deep theological and philosophical undertones. Whether or not you are a believer, the film’s intriguing narrative, engaging debates, and intense performances are sure to leave a lasting impression.