A Thousand Tomorrows is an AFFIRM Originals production that’s launching exclusively on Pure Flix this month! The first two episodes release on Friday, February 24th.
Synopsis
#1 NYT Author Karen Kingsbury’s A Thousand Tomorrows is a Christian fiction series that tells the story of bull rider Cody Gunner and the great price he’d be willing to pay for a mere thousand tomorrows with the one he loves more than life.
I was able to get a sneak peek of this faith-based romantic drama series, thanks to Pure Flix providing an advance screening for review. I must admit that I never read the book, so at first I thought this was going to be a typical modern-day western romance between a ruggedly handsome cowboy and a beautiful spunky cowgirl. While that’s part of it, the plot goes far deeper than that.
The story is more about realizing that even people who may seem perfect on the outside can be struggling with hidden pain under the surface. In fact, the two main characters are driven to succeed by a desire to overcome their secret troubles.
Themes
- Stepping out of your parent’s shadow
- Pursuing your dreams
- Chronic illness / disability
- Absentee father / abandonment issues
- Special needs family members
- Anger / resentment / bitterness
- Making hard decisions
- Making each day count and living each day to the fullest
- How God can help us through the worst of times
- Finding freedom in faith
Cast
The series stars Colin Ford (Daybreak, Upcoming THE HILL, CAPTAIN MARVEL), Rose Reid (SWEET, SWEET SUMMERTIME, A WELCOME HOME CHRISTMAS), Cole Sibus (Stumptown, SPARE ROOM), Anne Leighton (NCIS, GOD’S NOT DEAD: A LIGHT IN DARKNESS), Kate Easton (FAITH UNDER FIRE), KC Clyde (Yellowstone, YES DAY) and CK Bolado.
Episodes
A Thousand Tomorrows is a miniseries consisting of six episodes, each of which is about 45 minutes long. Episode One didn’t get very far past placing the setting in Texas, introducing the characters, and showing some live-action rodeo highlights – but it interested me enough to make me want to watch more… which I did.
The first episode provides an introduction to the dangerous and competitive world of rodeo sports while introducing us to the two main characters, Cody (a bull rider) and Ali (a barrel racer). Both are skilled champions at the top of their game, yet each of them has a painful secret. The character development is a bit slow-paced compared to the fast-paced rodeo scenes.
This episode actually seems a bit disjointed as it jumps back and forth between the past and current events. For one thing, the opening scene took place many years earlier with an inattentive football star dad missing the birth of his second son. Then we fast-forward to the present day. It looks like each episode is going to include flashbacks to the past, which help to explain how the characters got to where they are now.
Characters
Cody has grown up with anger issues since his dad left the family. He doesn’t let himself get close to anyone, not even the young ladies who fawn all over him. The only person he really loves is his younger brother who has special needs, who he vowed to protect when he first held him as a newborn baby. Cody is able to channel his anger into mastering the art of bull riding, but that doesn’t mean he’s not still hurting inside.
The main female character has a major health problem – a chronic illness, cystic fibrosis. The first episode shows her mom hooking her up to a medical device that I wasn’t familiar with so I looked it up and it’s a “Vest Airway Clearance System” to help keep her lungs clear of the mucus secretions that would build up and choke her. Ali’s life centers around her love of horse riding despite the allergens (dust, hay, animal dander) associated with her sport. She goes so far as to actually hold her breath during races!
My favorite character in A Thousand Tomorrows is actually the special needs brother. Despite having Down Syndrome, Carl Joseph lights up every scene that he’s in with his bright personality that’s overwhelmingly positive, friendly and likeable. (Actor Cole Sibus is perfect for the part because he has Down Syndrome in real life.)
By the way, in the second episode Cody hurt his hand and was wearing a wrist brace. He went back home where he took the brace off at dinner time but then he went out to play catch with Carl Joseph without putting it back on. I don’t know if that was a goof or continuity error but I was so worried that he was going to exacerbate his injury!
So yeah, by the second episode you have learned enough about the backstory of the lead characters that you genuinely care about them. In fact, the characters are so realistic, you’d think A Thousand Tomorrows is based on a true story but it’s not.
Content
Being a PureFlix series, I was surprised at some of the content, though. Several scenes take place in a cowboy bar where people are drinking and Budweiser logos are clearly displayed. (Did they sponsor this show I wonder?) A guy meets a girl at the bar and they leave together. The next scene shows him sound asleep in a motel room bed and her sneaking away in the morning. Later, he tells his friends “all we did was talk” while they’re saying “Yeah, right.” There is no bad language or anything else to be concerned about. However, due to the subject matter, A Thousand Tomorrows is best for teens and adults. Potential emotional triggers include an absent father, a death in the family, and a loved one suffering from a chronic illness.
Faith
God is only mentioned once in the first episode, but we do see that the Bible is clearly important to Ali. In a press release, actress Rose Reid said, “For my character Ali, even though she’s going through something difficult, she has so much strength from her faith in God and she knows she’s not alone in the struggle. And that’s such a powerful example for anyone who watches this show.”
As the series progresses, Ali teaches Cody about what it means to have true faith. “I can really relate to my character Cody Gunnar,” said actor Colin Ford. “I grew up a Christian, but didn’t really practice my faith in my youth and that’s changed a lot in the last few years. Cody experienced trials and tribulations in his childhood and was focused on surviving. It’s not until he meets Ali that he learns faith is what can sustain him through love and loss.”
Conclusion
Karen Kingsbury’s A Thousand Tomorrows is a unique story of love in the face of insurmountable odds that will inspire the hearts of all who see it. This series shows the importance of making the most of every day and being willing to take risks along the way. Watch it on Pure Flix starting February 24th, with new episodes every Friday!
Trailer
Giveaway
What do you think about this movie? Have you read the book? Leave a comment with your full name and email address for a chance to win a free 3-month subscription to Pure Flix so you can watch A Thousand Tomorrows and more! A random winner will be chosen on 2/24/2023. Note: This is limited to US residents who have NOT won a subscription in the last 6 months. (P.S. Comments are moderated, so please be patient as yours may take a while to show up.)
About Pure Flix
Pure Flix is your home for faith and family-friendly movies and shows where you can confidently stream with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, you can strengthen your faith and family with Pure Flix – a streaming service that inspires, uplifts and entertains. You’ll get access to the largest variety of high-quality wholesome movies, series and kids’ content at one low price. Experience the difference that positive, encouraging entertainment can have in your home. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
About Affirm Films
AFFIRM Films, launched in 2007, is an industry leader in faith-based/inspirational films with worldwide box office of over $660 million including such hits as SOUL SURFER, WAR ROOM, RISEN, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, OVERCOMER, A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD in partnership with TriStar Pictures, and most recently The Kendrick Brothers’ SHOW ME THE FATHER. AFFIRM produces, acquires and markets content that inspires, uplifts and entertains audiences around the world focusing on family and faith through its three divisions, AFFIRM Films, AFFIRM Television and AFFIRM Originals.
Disclosure
Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. #AThousandTomorrowsMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork