Sarah's Oil Strikes it Rich

Sarah’s oil is not just a great family film but a cinematic gem. When setting out to make a story such as this, there are many choices the production design could have taken that would see the end result looking like a made for tv special. Here, it’s not just crafting a good story with a well written script and quality acting; it’s to treat the making of the film as it should be… as a work of art. 

The largest evidence of this is the creative decision to forgo digital cameras and use actual film along with vintage lenses to capture the performances and beautiful landscape of Oklahoma. As small as the budget was, that the production team had to work with, it was the cinematography that made it hardly noticeable. The technical aspects of the film are respected and treated as a tool, much like a brush to a canvas. It doesn’t matter how expensive the tool is but how you use the tools you have to craft the world of your film’s story. 

To a family looking for a wholesome and inspiring movie to show their kids, this might seem all nuance and trivial. However, it’s actually what brings this story to life, adding weight to the performances of Naya Desir-Johnson and Zachary Levi as well as the entire cast. In recent years as more and more content has been pushed to streaming, produced with the mindset of current flavor of the week, it is refreshing to see filmmakers reaching for more. It feels like cinema because it is cinema.  

Sarah’s Oil is based on the true life story of Sarah Rector, a 11 year old girl who received 160 acres from the government, at the turn of the 1900s, as part of a land allocation for black families. As the prospect of oil in these territories increased, greed and racism put the lives and rights of children like Sarah in danger. 

The film carries us through Sarah’s journey of discovering oil on her property and the tribulations that come with that in a broken world. Sarah has faith that there is indeed an ocean of oil running underneath her soil. Her faith is grounded in a simple statement of truth, “God gave her the land for a reason”. This statement is more than just confirmation that there is indeed oil, but how far Sarah is willing to go to see how God will use the land to impact her, her family, and others. For Sarah it’s not just the oil but trusting the Lord for what He has for her. 

 It is a story focused on the themes of perseverance and motives. The blessing that Sarah has unearthed presents difficulties beyond what she and her family can manage alone. Such prospects require the additional help of others and their skills. Who can they trust in this massive undertaking? Each new stranger they encounter presents new motivations as to why they would help and what they hope to gain. 

Much of the story should remain on the silver screen instead of being read in a movie review. What is important to discuss here and with your family after watching the film is the motivations of characters. At many times greed is depicted in its most identifiable form as the clear motivator for characters. For some the desire for ultimate wealth leads to devaluing integrity, honor, and the sanctity of life. There is more than one occasion in which people are willing to kill in order to get what they want. The film has a few moments of real tension that may cause some of its younger viewers concern. While nothing graphic is ever shown on the screen, the threat and tragedy of this horror is felt. 

Others motivations are focused on treasure seeking. Even Sarah confesses this at one point. The theme is reminiscent of a passage out of the gospel of Matthew:

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

The temptation to seek treasure at all cost or find our identity in wealth and richness is ripe within the story's framework. This is the road in which we study the characters of Bert and Mace, two treasure seekers by trade. The duo is played by Zachary Levi and Mel Rodriguez, who lean into their character’s weathered personalities from a history of decisions that have chipped away at their Integrity and morality. These are individuals that are trying to do right yet know and live with their past mistakes, which ultimately sway their motives. However, along their journey their mindset does not take into account Sarah’s motivations, and the impact she will have on them. Sarah’s faith in Christ has kept another treasure in focus. 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:2

In one of the most surprising emotional moments of the film is when Sarah begs Bert not to go through with making a deal with a shady prospector, not because it will jeopardize her fortune but because for the sake of Bert’s soul. 

While Bert thinks he is trying to do right by Sarah, insuring her and certainly himself a profitable outcome from their tribulation, he has placed wealth as the top priority for his reasoning. Sarah cuts to the heart of the matter quick - his mind is set on reward and not God’s divine reasoning for why we have trials to begin with - to mature us to trust in the Lord. While I can connect all the dots, the film doesn’t drop a sermon mid movie to make its point. This is a good thing because it means the film expects its audience to connect the dots for themselves. 

Ultimately, Sara‘s Oil triumphs the most by demonstrating Christian character in a real world setting. Characters are flawed and human.  At the same time, they mature and inspire us. Mel Rodriguez’s performance is a knockout. The world is filled with broken people and yet there is room for forgiveness and compassion. 

The final result of Sara‘s oil is a testament in its own right, the production team's own perseverance to maintain integrity and not cut corners. As well as holding to the motivation to make something that reflects Christ while remaining honest, compelling, and inspiring.