This modest, earnest film is about the power of faith and how those struggling may find it in unlikely places. In the case of Tommy Colston (Scott Pryor, who co-wrote the script Ty DeMartino and co-directed with Gloria Stella), a motorcycle mechanic and former U.S. Marine who’s slid into drinking and drugging, it comes in the form of a 10 year old girl named Tulsa (played by the charming Livi Birch). Tulsa and her foster brother are left homeless at the start of the film when their foster mother is arrested. Social worker Jaylene (Nicole Marie Johnson) is charged with finding a new placement for Tulsa since the boy has gone to live with distant relatives. Tulsa insists she has a father and wants to live with him and offers a photograph as proof. In a plot contrivance that works because, hey, it’s a small town, Jaylene knows the guy in the photo and arranges for Tulsa to meet Tommy just as he’s reached a low point.
Tulsa walks around with her late mother’s Bible and isn’t shy about telling Tommy or anyone else that they need Jesus in their lives. Who wants to argue with her? She doesn’t just preach the word: she cleans Tommy’s house, does his laundry, balances his books and tosses out his cigarettes and booze. Her precociousness and wisdom strain credulity. Despite her youth and troubles, she always has uplifting, inspirational words; she’s an angel among mortals. But Birch manages to show just enough neediness to make you root for the adults around Tulsa to live up to her expectations. There’s some playful dad/daughter banter as the two bond but “Tulsa” sticks to its “Pay It Forward”-like redemption theme. The film is a labor of love for star Pryor who produced, wrote and directed based on personal experience. Even though the film touches on complex issues including loss, grief, addiction, abandonment and physical injury there’s nothing gritty or edgy here. “Tulsa” isn’t and doesn’t try to be that kind of movie. The film stays in the simple, inspirational, hopeful lane, but who doesn’t welcome a bit of that right now?
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