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Believe Me is a comedy-drama movie released in 2014, directed by Will Bakke and written by Bakke and Michael B. Allen. The movie features Alex Russell as Sam, a college student who is in urgent need of money to pay for his education. In an attempt to raise the necessary funds, Sam and his three roommates, Pierce (Zachary Knighton), Tyler (Miles Fisher), and Baker (Max Adler), devise a plan to start a fake charity organization with a Christian background to collect donations from gullible churchgoers.

Initially, the plan seems fail-proof, and they start raising a considerable amount of money by staging fake interviews and testimonials from supposedly underprivileged children in Africa. However, as they dive deeper into their deception, Sam and his friends realize that what they are doing is morally unacceptable despite their need for money. The guilt and shame start to gnaw at them, and each of them has to face their demons and moral dilemmas, jeopardizing their friendships and their future.

The movie is a witty and fresh take on the modern-day Christian culture and the controversy surrounding religious charity events. It sheds light on the dishonesty, manipulation, and greed that can emerge even from the best intentions, and the importance of honesty, transparency, and empathy when dealing with important issues.

The character development is one of the strongest points of the movie. From the beginning, we are introduced to four distinct personalities with their quirks, fears, and desires. Sam is the pragmatic, ambitious one who is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, while Pierce is the charismatic, humorous one who lives in the moment and doesn't take life too seriously. Tyler is the sensitive, artistic one who struggles with his identity and his purpose, while Baker is the shy, reserved one who tries to fit in but struggles with his own insecurities.

As the plot unfolds, we see each of them struggling with the consequences of their choices, their relationships, and their personal growth. Alex Russell delivers a nuanced performance as Sam, balancing his manipulative tendencies with his inner turmoil and eventual redemption. Zachary Knighton steals the show with his comedic timing and natural charm, making Pierce a lovable and memorable character. Johanna Braddy also gives a convincing and authentic performance as Sam's love interest, Callie.

One of the aspects that set this movie apart from other comedy-dramas is the exploration of the Christian faith and its role in modern society. The movie doesn't shy away from pointing out the hypocrisy and contradictions that can arise from religious organizations or how the perception of charity can be distorted by ulterior motives. However, it also highlights the genuine faith, hope, and compassion that can drive people to do good and make a difference in the world.

Overall, Believe Me is an entertaining and thought-provoking movie that blends humor and drama with faith and morality. It offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the challenges and dilemmas of modern-day youth and society and the importance of honesty and integrity in pursuing our goals.

Believe Me is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9 and a MetaScore of 48.