Flywheel (2003)

Description

Jay Austin (Alex Kendrick) wants to sell you a used car, but watch out! Many victims have fallen prey to his smiling face and hasty promises. Austin does everything his way until his dishonesty and manipulation are repeatedly exposed. Like many men, he becomes disgusted by the masks he wears and lies he tells.

While having a classic convertible repaired, Austin begins a humorous and powerful journey to win back the hearts of his wife (Janet Lee Dapper), his son (Richie Hunnewell) and his community. In every man’s life, there can be a turning point. When Jay Austin takes it, he never looks back. Filmed on location in Albany, Georgia, Flywheel is an inspiring family movie surprising audiences with laughter and tears and loved by young and old.

Trailer

Issues

• Moderate Rock Music
• Doctrinal Accuracy

Faith in Action: A Family Discussion on Flywheel

Note: These discussion questions may contain spoilers.

After the credits roll, don’t stop there! Jump into an engaging conversation with your family about how you can apply the lessons from Flywheel to your life! Find lessons you can live, not just watch.

How Was Jay’s Life Before He Decided to Be Honest and Consecrated?

At the beginning of the film, Jay is depicted as being grumpy, dishonest, and argumentative. He did not invest time into his wife or son; they were a second priority—visually depicted at the very beginning by throwing his son’s picture away, a symbolic act representing that he was throwing away his relationship with his son. He lacked tenderness.

• Jay went through some of the motions: he went to church, repeatedly had dinner with his family, and even always ensured his family’s financial needs were met—all good behaviors. Why were his relationships with his family in shambles despite this? Where was his heart? How do behaviors differ from the heart?
• What was Jay’s daily focus, attitude, and motivation like?
• Were God, family, and country on Jay’s priority list?

What Does True Repentance Look Like?

When Jay’s conscience finally pricks him harshly, Jay not only apologizes for the wrong things he has done to his wife, son, and those he has hurt or cheated, but also finds a way to atone for the mistakes he has made.

• Which inciting incidents in the movie cause Jay’s conscience to prick him? What causes him to pause and evaluate his life?
• How does honesty in our daily dealings impact our relationships? How did it affect Jay?
• What is Jay’s reaction when he realizes his son does not want to be like him?
• While watching TV, Jay hears the Pastor say, “You are in the shape you are in today because of the choices you’ve made. Your marriage is in the shape it is in today, because of the choices you’ve made. Your relationship with your wife and children is in the shape it is in today, because of the choices you’ve made.
  • What is the shape of your life? What intentional choices (good or bad) have you made in your life that have contributed to where you are now?
• How does Jay’s perspective of his money and his car lot change after his change of heart? How does his perspective of money change after he views money as “God’s money that he allows us to use”? How is this similar to consecration and our temple covenants?

Several times in the movie, Jay has to make certain sacrifices in order to repent.

• What were these sacrifices specifically?
• Can prayer alone change us? 
• What parts of himself did Jay have to change repeatedly in order to repent?

Faith is Action

Throughout the film, Jay repeatedly exerted faith to repent and do things that were difficult for him.

What is faith? Lectures on Faith describes three essential things we must have in order to have faith:

“Let us here observe, that three things are necessary, in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.

First, The idea that he actually exists.

Secondly, A correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes.

Thirdly, An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will.—For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding, it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Whose testimony caused Jay to pause and believe that God exactly exists?
• Who or where did Jay turn to to learn a correct idea of God’s character and attributes?
• How did Jay gain an “actual knowledge” that the course of life he was pursuing was in “accordance [with God’s] will”?
• How did a true understanding of doctrine change Jay’s behavior? How does this align with President Packer’s statement where he said, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.” (“Little Children,” Ensign, November 1986, 17)

Lectures on Faith also continues by saying:

“If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action, in them . . .”

• Where did you see Jay applying each of these principles of faith in the film?
• What actions did Jay do to depict his faith in action during the film?

Jay also names his new daughter “Faith,” remembering the lessons he learned just before she was born.

Faith Precedes the Miracle

Ether 12:12 states:

“For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.” 

Many miracles occurred throughout the film.

• Despite Jay’s circumstances remaining the same (e.g., a $32,400 debt to Franklin Bank), how do Jay’s demeanor and hope change?
• Do miracles like this happen to us today? Or is this film just “a story”?
  • Recall an incident where you experienced a miracle because of your faith. Write it in your journal.
• What miracle did Jay experience after he exerted faith to repent and be honest in his dealings and intentions, despite suffering heavy consequences by losing two of his salesmen?
• Two specific miracles occurred in the movie. Describe the act of faith that preceded both of these miracles.
• How did the Lord continually bless Jay when he listened to his conscience and tried to atone for his mistakes, in spite of his fear and potential loss of home / business?

Jay Becomes a True Father

• What are Todd’s reactions when his parents argue?
• How does Todd react to his father’s lack of presence and attitude?
• How does Jay’s apology and relationship with his physical father parallel with the relationship with his Heavenly Father? How is this reflected in his improved relationship with his son?
• What specific things does Jay do with his son Todd after his change of heart? (e.g., taking him to work with him to allow him to spend even more time with him than normal)
• How did Jay’s perception and reaction to the things Todd did that he once considered a nuisance (e.g., building his volcano, Todd drawing pictures for Jay, etc.) change after Jay’s change of heart? Are there people in our lives who irritate us, when we may actually be the problem?

Other

• What lessons in faith, repentance, and miracles do you think the directors had to experience in real life to portray them faithfully on screen?
• What humorous parts were your favorite?

Details

Widescreen Format Won 4 Dove Seals From Dove Foundation

Runtime: 120 min

Release: 2003

Cast: Rosetta Harris Armstrong, Lisa Arnold, Blake Bailey

Director: Alex Kendrick

Writer: Alex Kendrick