World premiere of ‘Just Let Go’ plays at Egyptian
Henry Ian Cusick plays Chris Williams in the film, "Just Let Go." He is seen here at The Egyptian Theater with his wife, Annie. Rachel Trotter
Henry Ian Cusick plays Chris Williams in the film adapatation of "Just Let Go." Contributed
Henry Ian Cusick stars as Chris Williams, shown in a court scene, in the film, "Just Let Go." Contributed
Mitchell Ferrin plays the role of Curtis Wright in the film "Just Let Go." Contributed
Chris Williams with his wife Mikkel at the red carpet premiere, at the Egyptian Theater in Ogden, of "Just Let Go," a new movie about Williams journey to forgiveness. Rachel Trotter
Academy Award-nominated actress Brenda Vacarro talks about her role as Chris Williams' mother, Nadine Williams, in the film "Just Let Go," which premiered at the Egyptian Theater in Ogden. Rachel Trotter.
OGDEN — The Egyptian Theater hosted the world premiere of Excel Films’ “Just Let Go,” which tells the true story of Utah Mormon Chris Williams and his path to forgiveness after a drunken driver killed his wife, his unborn child and two other children in a 2007 car crash.
The stars, director, producer, screenwriter and Williams himself walked the red carpet. The premiere was simulcast from the Egyptian to 500 other theaters nationwide along with a short pre-concert and a question-and-answer session afterward to discuss the principle of forgiveness. Various religious experts were on hand along with Williams and Henry Ian Cusick, who played Williams in the movie. Nationally syndicated radio star Delilah hosted the after-talk.
-
-
Henry Ian Cusick plays Chris Williams in the film, “Just Let Go.” He is seen here at The Egyptian Theater with his wife, Annie. Rachel Trotter
-
-
Henry Ian Cusick plays Chris Williams in the film adapatation of “Just Let Go.” Contributed
-
-
Henry Ian Cusick stars as Chris Williams, shown in a court scene, in the film, “Just Let Go.” Contributed
-
-
Mitchell Ferrin plays the role of Curtis Wright in the film “Just Let Go.” Contributed
-
-
Chris Williams with his wife Mikkel at the red carpet premiere, at the Egyptian Theater in Ogden, of “Just Let Go,” a new movie about Williams journey to forgiveness. Rachel Trotter
-
-
Academy Award-nominated actress Brenda Vacarro talks about her role as Chris Williams’ mother, Nadine Williams, in the film “Just Let Go,” which premiered at the Egyptian Theater in Ogden. Rachel Trotter.
Williams said the filming process helped him to continue to heal. Williams said when he was approached about a movie he thought it was a good idea.
“I wanted the message to be positive and I knew I had a message that could be impactful to many,” he said. Williams told his story a few years ago in “Mormon Message,” a short video clip put out by the LDS Church on forgiveness. He liked the idea of his story reaching a broader audience. “As a Mormon I’m a disciple of Christ. First and foremost I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I want my brothers and sisters to hear a beautiful message of forgiveness and what can happen,” he said.
He also believes Christians should pull together during trying times throughout the world and that a film such as this is a good opportunity to do so.
Vance Mellen wrote the screenplay. He grew up in Chicago. “They brought in an outside perspective, which I think was a good idea,” Mellen said. When he read Williams’ book, Mellen was eager to explore the process between when Williams said he forgave the drunken driver and when he actually did.
“It was compelling and I wanted to be able to tell that part of the story. Everyone is struggling to figure out if God is really out there … and he was trying to make sense of all of it,” Mellen said.
Williams’ story hooked Cusick as well. He was given the script and admits he was intrigued and loved playing the role of Williams. “It was all a family atmosphere,” Cusick said. Cusick’s son plays a younger version of Williams in the film, so it really was a family affair for Cusick; his wife was also involved and on the set at times. Cusick relied on his wife to talk to during filming some of the rougher parts of the movie.
“It was some pretty heavy stuff,” Cusick’s wife, Annie Cusick, said of some of the filming days.
Cusick isn’t one to shy away from independent films, either. “It’s kind of like the little movie that could,” Cusick said. “The hero is a peaceful, strong man,” he added.
Directors, producers and co-writers of the film, Christopher Clark and Patrick Parker, knew they wanted to make the film a long time ago. “The story is so unique, if we didn’t grab it, someone else would have,” Parker said. “Hollywood may have messed it up,” joked Clark.
The movie doesn’t depict a particular denomination, just a Christian faith.
As part of the premiere, audiences were invited to participate in the “The Forgiveness Challenge,” which encouraged people to forgive one person in one week. The challenge is part of Desmond Tutu’s global Forgiveness Challenge. To find out more about the challenge visit www.humanjourney.com/forgiveness.
“Just Let Go” will also be shown at the Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City Oct. 15-16. The movie will have a general release Oct. 9.
