I Can Only Imagine (2018)

[bunniefuu]

Thank you.

I found a song that saved me through a time.

You know how music does that?

I was dealing with loss, with pain, and I heard this song, and it blew my soul wide open.

It became my anthem. It rescued me.

And I just kept wondering, who could write this?

What did they have to go through to be able to give this gift to me?

This is hope, pure hope.

It's an amazing song.

Just kind of happened.

Lyrics took about ten minutes, I guess.

Music took about the same.

Bart... you didn't write this song in ten minutes.

It took a lifetime.

How'd you do this?

Bart? Bart?!

Well, mercy me, you been out here all day!

How'd I do?

Oh, you done good, Bart. You done real good.

I'll see you tomorrow! Bye!

♪ You got me runnin', goin' out of my mind ♪

♪ You got me thinkin' that I'm wastin' my time ♪

♪ Don't bring me down ♪

♪ No, no, no, no, no ♪

♪ Ooh-ooh-hoo ♪

♪ I'll tell you once more ♪

♪ Before I get off the floor ♪

♪ Don't bring me down ♪

♪ What happened to the girl I used to know? ♪

♪ You let your mind out somewhere down the road ♪

♪ Don't bring me down ♪

♪ No, no, no, no, no ♪

♪ Ooh-ooh-hoo ♪

♪ I'll tell you once more ♪

♪ Before I get off the floor ♪

♪ Don't bring me down ♪

♪ You're always talkin' 'bout your crazy nights ♪

♪ One of these days you're gonna get it right ♪

♪ Don't bring me down ♪

♪ No, no, no, no, no ♪

♪ Ooh-ooh-hoo ♪

♪ I'll tell you once more ♪

♪ Before I get off the floor ♪

♪ Don't bring me down ♪ Wait! Wait!

♪ Don't bring me down... ♪

'Cause, for me, you know, without the song... it's... it's all about the song.

Yeah. Doesn't matter what band.

You might be interested in this band.

It was one of the greatest concerts I've ever seen.

It was amazing.

♪ Down, down, down ♪

♪ I'll tell you once more ♪

♪ Before I get off the floor ♪

♪ Don't bring me down ♪

Hey, hon.

What you got there?

It's a fighter helmet that I made during a big battle in space.

You sure worked hard on that, didn't you?

Yeah.

What's this? It's just... it's just junk.

You're a dreamer, Bart. That's good.

Haven't you ever imagined anything?

I'm gonna teach you something, Bart.

Dreams don't pay the bills. Nothing good comes from it.

All it does... is keep you from all this.

From knowing what's real.

You understand that?

Huh?! Yes, Daddy.

Well, you say that's a piece of junk, why don't you just go throw it away?

Go, just go. He'll take it.

It's okay, it's okay.

He's your son! Stay out of it!

It's none of your business! It's between him and me.

Someone's gotta make sure that he is raised up right!

Shut your mouth!! Or I'll shut it for you!!

You want some more?! You want some more?!

Here, had enough yet?! Had enough yet?!

Hey. Bart? Shh.

It's okay. Hey.

Mom? Ready for an adventure?

Now? Yes, right now.

It's called Camp Glorieta.

Church down the street takes kids there.

It's a fun camp.

I called, and they said you could go.

Come on, you're gonna have a great time.

You're gonna make some friends. You'll make some memories.

Can we just do this?

Do what?

Just drive.

Drive and listen.

Listen to this music. Me and you.

Just listen to the words.

♪ I stay awhile ♪

♪ I can go back ♪

♪ Into the heart ♪

♪ Of a child ♪

♪ I can smile ♪

♪ I can go there ♪

♪ Into the heart ♪

♪ Into the heart of a child ♪

Okay. This is it.

You ain't never met a stranger? Hmm?

All right, I can do this. Yeah.

Geronimo. Hey.

You know I love you, right?

Okay.

Go on. Get outta here.

Bye, Mom.

Oh, gosh. I can do this. I can do this.

No Walkmans at camp. They'll take it up.

Are you kidding?

Oh, um, hi. Uh, I'm... I'm Bart.

My friends, like, they call me Bart.

I know. I'm Shannon. Duh!

Ready for camp? Mmm.

It's totally safe!

See? Safe.

Well, except for that one kid.

You coming?

Sorry, sorry. Squeeze in here. Sorry.

Oh, sorry 'bout that!

Hey, Bart, this is Kent. Nice to meet you, Bart.

Hey, bro. This is the cup game. I'm not very good at it.

Campers. Campers, up here!

So I'm Rusty.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm the Youth Pastor at Greenville Baptist.

So if you didn't bring your journals, come up here.

We got one for you.

You're gonna need it for your session tonight.

Let's have a great week. Bro, sit down. I got you.

So is that like a diary, or?

Kinda, but there's more to it. Helps get my thoughts ordered.

Prayers, problems, dreams, stuff I imagine sometimes.

Uh, can I see?

I'm sorry, I... I didn't know.

B-9, you're with me for kitchen duty, let's do it.

Well, that's me. See you later, okay?

Hey, Bart, I got your journal.

Ooh! Kent!

Here. Here you go. I'm sorry.

That's mint. I didn't know you could draw.

Why're you dressed like that?

Come with me if you want to live!

We're sneaking out.

So what do you wanna be when you grow up, an artist?

Eh, or a football player. That's what my dad was.

He was really good, actually. Kind of famous in college.

We're gonna get in so much trouble for this.

I know, right? Got some great stuff.

Like industrial grade. Set it all up this afternoon.

So you guys are gonna go over there and face in the north direction, got it?

And also, did you know Bart can draw?

Hi.

So you can draw? I guess so, a little bit.

Bart, I'm terrified you saw what was written in my journal.

Did you? No.

Wh-what're you talking about? You're lying.

You saw every word, didn't you?

Maybe.

Well, then here goes. You know what I think?

I think that someday we're gonna fall in love, get married, and that's our destiny.

And now I'm mortified.

I'm gonna walk down this hill and help Kent.

Wa-wa-wa-wait wait. Shannon, please stay.

Why? Afraid of the dark? Afraid of monsters?

I just don't like being alone.

All right, come on, kids.

Bart, Bart!

Here. It's my favorite. Sweet.

And I wanna be a singer just like her someday.

Thank you so much.

My parents are here pick me up. Bye!

Last stop. This is you.

It was good to meet you, Bart. I'm gonna see you on Sunday?

Yeah. Yeah.

Hey.

Momma? Momma...

Where's Momma?

She's gone.

Gone where?

She ran off. She ain't coming back.

Just you and me now.

When will she be back?

I told you, she run off.

She don't want me no more, and she don't want you neither.

What did you do?

Are you bowing up on me, boy?

You hurt her, didn't you?!

Hey! You hurt her like you hurt me!

Hey!

Nothing! That's what I did!

Nothing!

She didn't leave 'cause of me.

I'm sorry, Mom!

What did I do?!

Take me, Mom, please!

Stop!

So did you ever see her again?

Uh, she'd call now and then.

I tried to live with her once, one summer in junior high, but she was in another bad relationship.

Worse, actually.

Um, my dad drove up and threw the guy off a staircase onto the hood of his car and threatened to k*ll him if he ever hurt her again and then grabbed me and took me home.

It's kind of ironic.

Um, that was about it.

So what did you do?

I tried to get good at the only thing my dad really cared about.

Hey, there. Hey there, darlin'.

That's so corny.

You're making everyone in the stadium feel real uncomfortable.

Dude, seriously, that beard makes you look 35.

Kent, shut up. Shut up!

I like it.

Millard! Get over here, now.

I love you.

I know.

Unbelievable.

Break! Break!

Hey. Just give me a second.

It's sour. Jeez.

It's a month past its date.

I'll make Pop-Tarts, then.

Just a few things I ask you to do around here, Bart, a few things.

I caught before I ran, Dad, at practice today.

Almost scored.

How many of them did it take? What?

To get you down on the ground. How many'd it take?

Just one. It's just practice. One?

Nobody could never bring me down.

Took the whole football team. It's the way I live my life.

Life hits me, I hit back harder.

I don't go down. Not then, not now, not never.

You understand?

Break!

I don't go down.

You go down too easy. That's your problem.

What'd they say?

They said you can't play.

For how long?

Ever.

Well, that's disappointing.

Yeah. Yeah, it is.

Whoa! Hey. Sorry.

Where are you driving? I should've drove.

This is stupid.

Graduating high school is not stupid.

You just have to pick a new elective to replace football.

Yeah. Okay.

Oh, man, ever have aspirations of being a seamstress?

Well, that's full, so. They're, like, all full.

Yeah. Except this one.

What? Glee Club.

♪ And even though it all went wrong ♪

♪ I'll stand before the Lord of Song ♪

♪ With nothing on my tongue ♪

♪ But Hallelujah ♪

- ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪

- ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪

- ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelu-u-jah ♪

That's really good.

Honey, I think you've got the wrong room.

I wish. No offense.

None taken. You sing?

No.

Act? Not at all.

Do you dance? Ma'am, I'm in a wheelchair.

Please, just kick me out of this class.

I don't turn anyone away. Sugar, what is your name?

Uh, Bart Millard.

"Bart Millard." Yeah.

Our new assistant technical director.

All right!

I don't know what that is.

Now this I can do.

♪ Saddle up your horses ♪

♪ And I heard somebody say ♪

♪ Let's go ♪

♪ Saddle up your horses ♪

♪ We got a trail to blaze ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Through the wild blue yonder ♪

♪ Grace ♪

♪ Let's follow our leader ♪

♪ Into the Glorious unknown ♪

♪ This is the life like no other ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa ♪

♪ This is the great adventure ♪

Hey, congrats, Bart.

What? Way to go, Millard.

♪ La ♪ Congratulations! What?

Nice job, Bart. You haven't heard yet?

I gotta say, I'm a little jealous.

What're you t... what're you talking about?

Congratulations! No, no, no, no. Okay.

How excited are you?

Miss Fincher!

Unh-unh. No. What're you trying to do to me?

I can't do this. I didn't even try out.

You can. And you will.

And there'll be no further discussion about it.

No, no, no, no, no. Look, I'm a Millard.

Okay, you don't understand. Millards play football.

Millards do not sing. You have a gift, Bart.

And in my class, you will be required to use it.

Or fail. It's your choice.

Look, my leg is still in a cast. I can't even walk.

There's two months until the production.

You have plenty of time to heal. Please stop making excuses.

Okay, I don't sing like that. That Broadway stuff.

I'll teach you.

Look, Miss Fincher, I like you, okay?

You seem like a real good person.

I respect you, but there is no way, ever, at all, ever that you are gonna get me on that stage.

Mm-hmm.

♪ There's a bright golden haze ♪

♪ On the meadow ♪

♪ There's a bright golden haze ♪

♪ On the meadow ♪

♪ The corn is as high ♪

♪ As an elephant's eye ♪

♪ And it looks like it's climbing ♪

♪ Clear up to the sky ♪

♪ Oh, what a beautiful mornin' ♪

♪ Oh, what a beautiful day ♪

♪ I've got a beautiful feelin'... ♪ Mercy me, that can't be his real voice.

Yeah, it is.

♪ ...goin' my way ♪

Well, punch a monkey's uncle.

♪ All the sounds of the earth ♪

♪ Are like music ♪

♪ All the sounds of the earth ♪

♪ Are like music ♪

♪ 'The breeze is so busy ♪

♪ It don't miss a tree ♪

♪ An' that ol' weepin' willer ♪

♪ Is laughin' at me ♪

♪ Oh, what a beautiful mornin' ♪

♪ Oh, what a beautiful day ♪

♪ I've got a beautiful feelin' ♪

♪ Everything's goin' my way ♪

♪ Oh, what a beautiful ♪

♪ Da-a-y ♪

Whoo!

Sir, you need to understand. It's hospital policy.

Well, you can't keep me here. I'm free to go.

No, you're not.

We saw something in your blood work that concerned us, so we ran a few tests.

And I'd like to discuss the results with you.

You got my number. You can call me.

We need to have this conversation now.

Okay.

Why did I black out?

Because of extremely low blood sugar.

So you're saying, what? I'm diabetic?

No.

On your MRI, we discovered a mass.

We believe it's cancer. No.

No. No, I don't...

We'd like to run a few more tests and then decide on the best treatment options for you.

I don't... I don't need your treatment.

I'm gonna go home.

Mr. Millard, if you refuse treatment, it could drastically reduce your chances.

Dad. What happened?

Oh, I'm fine. I'm just fine.

Okay, well, let me drive you home.

I-I can make it myself.

Mr. Millard, are you okay?

I'm Shannon, Bart's girlfriend?

Oh, hello, Shannon.

How'd Bart wind up with someone as pretty as you?

Thank you.

I'm fine. I'm gonna be all right.

But did they say what's wrong?

Uh, I just had a little incident.

I had low blood sugar.

I was over at the diner, and... and I fell down.

And actually, I was looking at your name on an advertisement for a play.

Didn't think you'd wanna come.

Did he ever sing for you? 'Cause I-I had no idea.

I had no idea at all.

He was good. He was real good.

I'm sorry, Dad. I should've invited you.

Oh, don't... we'll talk about it later, son.

Just let me drive you home. Oh, no.

You take care of your pretty girl there.

Where're you going?

Going to the cast party. I'm not missing it for this.

Excuse me. I'm sorry. What's wrong with him?

Are you family? No.

Well, you need to ask him.

Thank you.

You're up early.

Made my son breakfast.

What's with the getup? Going to a funeral?

No. Just going to church, Dad.

Church.

Sit down and eat.

C'mon, sit down and eat. Getting cold.

Hey'd you see this? Did you see that?

Look at that. Front page.

You look like a Pinocchio cowboy.

It's a good joke.

So that's what I am to you, a joke?

I didn't say that.

You just said it.

Don't put words in my mouth.

What if I wanna sing? Why's that so funny?

I mean, maybe I'm good at it.

The pastor of the church asked me to sing this morning.

It's gotta mean something.

He ask you to sing for a living?

That's what I'm saying.

You're gonna need to find something you're good at that you can actually earn a living at

'cause you're gonna have to support yourself one of these days. How do you even know?

You've never even heard me sing.

Well, that's not my fault.

All I hear out of you is whining and moaning.

Okay. I'm singing this morning at church.

10:00 on radio AM 1080.

Why don't you come watch me sing? No, I can't do that.

Why not? No. I just don't belong there.

Why? I just don't. I don't!

Don't belong there.

Okay.

My boy Bart's, oh, he's nothin' but a big disappointment.

I wish he'd never been born. Everything'd been just fine.

Hey... All my problems are because of Bart.

Hey, hey, you put words in my mouth.

I'm gonna put a fist in your face.

Yeah, I'm a little big for that, Dad.

You think? I think those days are over.

Is that what you think? Yeah! I do, yeah!

Listen, you have to talk to me with respect.

I'm the one that puts the food on the table.

I earn the living around here, and I'm the one who stayed.

I don't see your Momma anywhere.

Yeah, well, nobody blames her for leaving, Dad!

I would've left, too!

Just shut up. Just shut up and eat.

I'm not hungry. Eat your food.

I'm not hungry!

All right, then.

You kidding me?! Stay away from me!

I'm serious! Don't touch me!

I'm done with you! You're crazy! Get away from me!

Bart, what happened to your head?

It's bleeding.

Oh, it's nothing, it's fine. Are you okay?

Are you sure? I'm fine

I'm wondering if you guys could all maybe pray for a friend of mine?

This friend I think is lying to me about their life.

I don't know what to do because I wanna help, and they just won't let me, and I just feel like the more I try, it kind of gets worse and worse.

And so now when I look at them, all I see is a mask.

Pray for them.

No one can live a lie forever, okay?

Okay, thanks.

Course they know you're talking about me.

Do you know how embarrassing that is?

I was just trying to get you to listen!

What is going on with you?!

I'm fine. You're not fine!

Is it your dad? I could help.

Just let me come over. I don't want you at my house.

Why? 'Cause I just don't.

Where is this coming from?

I don't know, maybe from deep inside my mask.

That's not funny. It's kinda funny.

Please, don't do this. You got me all figured out.

You push everyone away! Don't add me to that list.

I love you. I've always loved you!

Yeah, well, I've never really loved you.

I mean, we're... we're graduating soon.

You're going off to college. I'm chasing some stupid dream.

Right? I never said your dream was stupid.

I mean, this has been fun. No regrets for me, all right?

But people change, you know what I mean?

We obviously can't get along anymore.

I'm leaving, Shannon. After graduation I'm... I'm gone.

Please don't.

What?

Go.

I can't stay here, Shannon.

You know, Mike, it's amazing how people quit when they don't get paid. Look, we are opening for the opening act at a youth conference.

It's impossible, that's the whole problem.

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right"... that's Confucius.

I don't even know what that means.

And it's offensive to me as an artist.

An artist? We're making 90 bucks!

Right. Between the three of us.

We have no vocals. We got no show.

It's impossible.

Yeah, well, the only impossible things are the things that we call impossible.

What is that? Aristotle?

No, that one's a fortune cookie.

Nathan, nobody understands you, man!

Hey, guys. You're always so cranky, man.

Yeah, since Des Moines. Oh, Des Moines.

Why bring up Des Moines again?

Hey, guys, if you guys need a singer, I'll sing.

I'm, uh... I also patch cables, and, you know, I can run the board, and turn the lights on, and I write songs, too.

Kind of. Sometimes.

Who are you?

I joined up with the band.

All we had was the clothes on our backs.

Took every gig we could and anywhere they'd let us play.

We were all technically homeless, I guess.

♪ When you can't find what you're looking for ♪

♪ And your heart's been screaming for more and more ♪

♪ When you search so long, you can't even stand ♪

♪ And the way back home is the Father's hand ♪

♪ Your heart says yes, your head says more ♪

♪ And in between is where you're torn ♪

♪ Trace your steps to where you were ♪

♪ Befo-o-re ♪

♪ Ohh ♪

♪ Trace your steps, now ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Ooh, whoa, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

Whoo!

Give it up for Mike on the guitar!

Yeah!

Mr. Nathan on the bass! Give it up for Nathan!

Jim on the keys!

Yeah! Yeah, and I'm Bart.

And we are Mercy...

And Robbie on the drums!

He's new.

Thank you all for being here tonight.

Y'all have a good time?

Yeah!

I sure hope so 'cause that's all the songs we got.

Encore!

You know what?

Let me tell you a story before we go.

Um... 'cause when I was, uh... ten, 11 years old, life was tough.

I mean, it... it was real tough, actually.

I needed something, and I remember, I've...

I've always loved music, you know?

And I found some songs that I just... man, I... I held onto, you know what I mean?

Like an anchor in a storm. And they got me through.

And they told me about a Father in heaven that... that wanted me.

You know, a Father that loves me so much that He d*ed for me.

A Father that would never leave me.

And I listened to these songs over and over and over and over again and... and they gave me hope.

'Cause I needed it.

And maybe tonight, so do you.

Sing this with me.

♪ Oh, Lord ♪

♪ You're beautiful ♪

♪ Your face ♪

♪ Is all I seek ♪

♪ For when Your eyes ♪

♪ Are on this child ♪

♪ Your grace abounds to me ♪

♪ Oh, Lord, please light the fire ♪

♪ That once ♪

♪ b*rned bright and clear ♪

♪ Replace the lamp ♪

♪ Of my first love ♪

♪ That burns with holy fear ♪

♪ Oh, Lord, you're beautiful ♪

♪ Your face is all I seek ♪

♪ For when your eyes ♪

♪ Are on this child ♪

♪ Your grace abounds to me ♪

Thanks for coming. Hey, Bart.

Hey, where you headed, man? Someone I gotta see, man.

Who? Scott Brickell.

He manages Audio Adrenaline and a bunch of others.

Yeah, well, why was he here? 'Cause I wrote him a letter every week for the past two years.

Gotta go. Uh...

Mr. Brickell! It's just Brickell.

Uh, yeah, uh-huh, okay.

Um, I didn't know you were coming. Thank you.

Yeah, well, I did. Merry Christmas.

Uh, you know, we mostly just play, uh, big shows, you know, but sometimes we like to get back to, you know, smaller venues like this one.

Yeah, look, Barth, uh... Uh, it's Bart.

Sorry. And what's the name of your band again?

It's MercyMe, you know, 'cause when I told my memaw that we were starting a band, she was, like, "Mercy me, get a real job."

And I was, like, "Aw, Memaw!"

And then the guys were like, "Did she really say that?"

I was, like, "Yeah, we have to name the band Mercy..."

So that's what we called it.

Son, the sheer volume of words that comes outta your mouth is... exhausting.

You're not ready. That's what I think.

You got talent. You got potential.

You can sing, but I don't you've found your song, Found your soul, you know what I'm saying?

Look, that last thing you did, that was... that was special.

Next gig, you should do that the whole time, the entire show.

See how that works for you.

That's not the kind of music that we sing, though.

Trust me, son, you have no idea what kind of music you sing.

We write our own music. We don't just do covers.

Well, then write something like that, and then give me a call. No, no, no. Wait, wait, wait.

You gotta go with us. We got two more shows in Texas.

We got plenty of room on the bus, all right?

You know, you can't just change up our whole act and then abandon us, right?

You don't seem like that kind of person, I can tell.

I flew coach in a middle seat to rent a car that I can't even fit in to drive three hours to the middle of nowhere to have you tell me you want me to travel on that... with you?

Yeah.

That's funny.

I need to get another job.

Hello?

Yes, is this Shannon Street?

Yes. Who is this?

Uh, it's the police, ma'am. Uh, we need to speak with you.

Can you come downstairs? It's for your own safety.

Get the girl, Bart! Woo-woo!

Shannon! Bart!

Hey. Long time no see. You look great.

It's midnight, Bart. What are you doing here?

We just played a gig here.

I don't know if you know this yet, but we... we actually have a CD now with actual songs on it.

Like a real CD. Here, that's for you.

We have three more shows. What if you came with us?

We could go on the road, we could grab Kent.

Hit the road. It'd be like before.

Three Musketeers. I'm going to bed.

Aw, come on, Shannon. Go on an adventure!

It'll be fun!

Adventure?

Really? Yeah.

What're you thinking, coming here like this?

I don't know. I didn't really think about it.

I just thought it'd be fun, you know?

Just an idea. That's it? Only reason?

Yep.

I don't want to go on any more adventures with you.

You know, I want you to know that I pray for you all the time.

I do. I really do.

And I hope that you find whatever it is that you're looking for out there.

Thank you for the CD.

Forrest Gump's taking his time back there.

She will not be joining us.

Shocker.

Well, ain't she the smart one?

It's good. Nathan, it's real good.

Let's do it. Let's blow him away.

♪ From the top of the world ♪

♪ I will sing ♪

♪ Of the joy that flows ♪

♪ From my glorious king ♪

♪ And in my heart, Lord ♪

♪ I can see ♪

♪ Your loving arms ♪

♪ Coming down to me ♪

♪ By your blood ♪

♪ That washed over me ♪

♪ By your grace ♪

♪ That came down and kissed me ♪

♪ Jesus you have cleaned my heart ♪

♪ And my soul ♪

♪ For your glory, it made me ♪

♪ Made me beautiful ♪

Hey! Where you going?

Back to Nashville.

I've seen all I need to see.

Plus, I need to make some plans on account of booking you guys a venue for GMA week.

What is GMA week?

What is that? It's only the biggest convention in music...

Just go on the bus! All right.

I couldn't get the main stage, but I'll get some record labels there.

What I need you to do is invite every youth group you can.

Stack the room.

And then just do what you did tonight.

Wait. So you liked tonight?

Don't get cocky, kid.

Hey, this is Shannon. Leave a message.

Hey, Shannon.

Uh, it's Bart.

Just uh... look, you said you, uh, prayed for me all the time, and I, uh... we're playing this, uh, big showcase tomorrow, and, uh, it's a big deal for us, and we just, uh... we're ready.

But we're a... touch frightened too, um...

I guess that's it. Just wanted to tell you that.

Uh...

Little off-Broadway, I know, but it's the best I could do on short notice. Are you kidding me?

This is perfect.

Oh, and, guys, this is your sound man, Dingo.

Anything you need, you just let him know.

You got us a sound guy?

Did you get a label to come?

No.

I got five. Working on a few more.

I just need you to make sure this place is full.

And bring the rain, gentlemen.

Yeah you got it. Absolutely.

Buddy, you ready for this?

Good crowd, huh?

Bart, we've got a little situation I need to talk to you about.

Come on.

So, Bart, there's somebody I want you to meet.

This is a friend of mine.

He came down here tonight to see us.

Whoa, Smitty?! This is Michael W. Smith.

Smitty, right?

That's what your friends call you, right?

Yeah, yeah, uh, nice to meet you.

I am, like, a huge fan from, like, all the... sorry, like, That's okay, man.

All the way back. Way back.

Your tour with was just so inspiring for me.

I remember you wore that vest, that red vest!

Dude, that was bold. I don't think I wore a red vest.

I would buy that vest. No, you did.

You wore this red vest. You remember?

Di... did I wear a red vest on our tour?

He did. Yes, you did.

It was velvet.

Oh, man.

What?

Miss Bart, I'm... oh, we're... okay.

Uh...

You okay? I just threw up a little bit.

Yeah. No, I'm good. I just... you are like...

The first Christian tape I ever got was "Never Alone."

And it was like... like an anchor for me.

Thank you so much. That means so much to me.

Yeah, it was just... It was... it was great.

There you are.

We're just so excited to cheer you on.

Here's Wonder Woman! Go get him, please.

Here's Amy Grant! You are like a super hero...

We gotta roll. Sorry. What, we're hanging out.

Hi, guys. This is Mike.

Hey. Good luck, Bart. Yeah, good... have a good one.

Did you see who that was? I did.

That was Amy Grant. She talked to me.

Come on, Nashvi-i-lle!

Whoo! What's up GMA?

Are you guys ready to rock tonight?

Man, we are so glad to be here with you!

Ever feel like everything in your life is just building and building and building to one big moment?

That's how we feel tonight! Let's do this!

Whoo!

Bart. You're stressing me out, man.

Sorry. It's nerves, you know.

I wish they'd hurry up.

I thought it was good, right? It felt good.

It was good. It was good, man.

Best show we ever played. Crowd was into it, man.

I'm gonna go talk to them. No! Hey! Hey!

Don't do that, Bart! Brickell's got it.

Let him do his job.

What if he can't?

Hey! Wait! Wait!

Dude, no! That's a mistake.

But if you could see how far they've come from the first time I saw 'em... Hey! Hey, guys!

Gentlemen. Oh, and also lady.

So you guys know Bart? Nice to meet y'all.

Thanks for coming out tonight. And I've been getting some good feedback from these guys, and I'm almost finished... Was that awesome or what?

Don't y'all agree? I think we're pretty much finished up here anyway.

Ah, come on, I wanna know what you think!

Let me, let me finish up here... I want to know what they think.

You really wanna know?

Yeah, I do! Come on, lay it on me.

Give me all you got, Mr. Music Man.

I have the skin of a rhino. All I got, okay.

I'm sorry to have to be the one tell you this, kid, but, um... you're just not good enough.

Not yet, anyway.

What? You're wrong.

Seventh graders at youth camp, that's one thing, Bart.

But this, this is about record sales.

And I just can't sell what you're doing up there.

Seventh gr... we packed the house, man.

We've been selling our own albums for years now.

I mean, what... what world are you guys living in?

Reality.

Look, you need to embrace reality, Bart.

Your stuff...

You're not good enough, Bart. Dreams don't pay the bills.

All it does... is keep you from all this... from knowing what's real.

What about the stuff we played at the end?

The worship music?

Oh, it was beautiful, magical, truly.

I've got a brother-in-law in Denver.

He's looking for a worship pastor.

I could put you two together. Is she serious?

It's the truth you're mad at, not me.

My high school football team, there were a couple of guys that were good enough to make a big noise in a small town.

But that was it. You know what?

They're still there. They're stuck.

And that's what'll happen to you.

You gotta be good at something we can sell. Just stop!

Do you guys not get it?

We've given everything for this moment.

There is no plan B for us. We will do whatever it takes.

We will work harder than anybody else.

Tell me what you need me to do. I work with a lot of bands, and I can recognize who's gonna make it and who isn't.

And I gotta tell you the truth, Bart you won't.

How dare you say that? You don't even know me.

Go home. That's what you should do.

- Dad, I can do this. No, you can't.

I can do this! No, you can't!

And you're gonna blink your eyes, and you're gonna realize that you're nothing, and that life has got you nowhere because you chased some stupid dream!

Wake up!

Let me finish up here. No!

No, I'm not leaving! I'm not leaving!

Yes, you are. Let me finish up.

What happened? What'd they say?

Bart? You okay?

You're not good enough, Bart.

You're not.

Well, that didn't take very long.

So what now? What do we do now?

I don't know. Give me a second.

There's gotta be something we can do.

Let me think a second. Just gonna take that from them out there?

You're the manager. Do you not have an idea?

Hold on. What is the next step?

Sometimes there is no next step, Bart! Okay?

You just ticked off half of Nashville in there.

What's he talking about? You know what?

If this is all there is... then I'm done.

What? Then I quit.

What? Wow, really?

Classy. What about us?

What about the band? What band, Mike?

What about it? They hated it.

They hated all of it. They hated us.

I'm done.

Sorry to disappoint.

Can I come in, or you wanna sulk a little longer?

So....

You just gonna quit? Is that it?

You got a better idea?

I'm tired, man. I'm...

I got nothing left.

I'm gonna be honest with you, like I told you I would be.

Sometimes when you're up there, it's like you're singing somebody else's music.

It's like a fake imitation.

I don't believe it. I don't believe you.

Well, this has gone from bad to worse, thank you.

But then there're times... when I see something real.

I see something authentic.

But as soon as it shows up, it's like you're afraid, and... and then it vanishes just as quick as it came.

And that's what makes you a puzzle to me.

Let me ask you something, Bart.

What're you running from?

My dad.

He, uh... he...

He b*at you, didn't he?

You ain't got no poker face, kid.

And I carry that. I have to live with that.

You know? I always will.

Then write about it.

Stop running from it.

Let that pain become your inspiration.

And then you'll have something that people can believe in.

But to do that, you got to face your fears, son.

You know, Bart...

I may not always believe in your music, but I do believe in you.

You sold me, kid.

Don't quit.

Hey, guys, uh...

I'm sorry.

Um... there's some things I need to take care of.

Some stuff I need to sort out.

I gotta go home.

But I'd really, really like it if you guys would wait for me.

So we're still a band?

No, uh, we're a family.

Okay.

The band continued east, and I headed back west hoping they would wait on me.

I knew I needed to deal with things at home.

I needed to face the pain, but the closer I got, the only thing I felt was... dread.

I can't do this.

Hey, Bart.

Are you hungry?

I, uh... I heard you come in last night, so, I made some bacon and, uh, cinnamon rolls and... a-a frittata, which I just learned how to make.

When did you learn how to cook?

Oh, I been learning a lot lately.

Why don't you go on in there? I-I set the table.

Go on.

Here.

The key to the frittata is how hot you make the pan.

That's the secret.

Go on and sit down.

Take that one. Yeah, go ahead.

Want some bacon?

Well, uh... wanna say grace?

What?

I'll do it.

God, it's me here, Arthur.

I wanna thank you for, uh, answering my prayer.

And, uh.... rub-a-dub-dub, and thanks for the grub.

Amen.

So you f... found God or something?

Well, I-I been listening to some preachers on the radio and, uh, re... uh, reading the Bible and whatnot.

What part?

All of it.

And, uh, couple of times, actually.

And, uh, it's pretty confusing.

It's... like Leviticus.

What is that? I-I-I don't get it.

What prayer?

You said God answered a prayer. What prayer?

Just seeing you again.

Well, Dad, I been busy.

Yeah.

I guess you noticed I've got a few projects going on around here.

And I got one out in the garage I was hoping that you'd help me with.

Uh... I been, uh, rebuilding that Jeep of mine.

And, man, when I was your age, I made some memories in that Jeep.

And I was hoping that maybe we could, uh, get it running again and... I don't know...

Go somewhere, do some... What're you doing?

What is this?

Well, I-I-I wrote you some letters.

Did you get 'em?

Yeah. Threw 'em away.

Did you read 'em?

Nope.

Oh. I thought that's why you came back last night.

I'm... well...

I was just trying to make a memory, that's all.

That's kind of hard for me to do, Dad.

'Cause all the memories that we have together are bad.

Uh, do you want some... I'll get some ketchup.

Son, I-I know that I-I did some things that...

You did some things?

I got a memory for you, Dad.

That night you b*at me so badly that I had to sleep on my stomach 'cause I was so bruised?

I couldn't move.

What was I, ten? 11?

Yeah, I remember that.

That, uh... that tore me up.

I-I cried that... all night about what I did to you then.

I cried too, Dad.

In pain all night.

Why were you?

And now you just wanna come back in here?

Make breakfast?

Pretend like nothing ever happened?

It doesn't work that way, Dad!

What am I gonna do, Bart? I-I just...

I wanna make things right with you and me.

And, um...

I don't know what to say.

I don't know how to do it. I'm trying.

I'm reading a lot of books I don't understand, and I'm...

I just got a lot of questions about myself.

I don't have nobody to...

to answer 'em for me.

If God can forgive everybody else... why can't He forgive me?

God can forgive you.

I can't.

I can't believe I came back here.

Can't you give me a chance? No!

You've just gotta give up on that dream, Dad.

'Cause it keeps you from this. From knowing what's real.

Do it.

Go ahead.

Just do it.

Dad, are you dying?

Yeah.

I can show you, Dad.

With your questions, I can show you how.

So if you didn't bring your journals, come up here.

You're gonna need them for your session tonight.

Tonight we're gonna talk about forgiveness.

So find a blank page in your journal.

And I want you to write these words:

"God, tonight I choose to forgive," and I want you to finish that sentence.

Now, you may say to me, "You don't know how hard it is for me to forgive this person.

You don't know what they've done to me."

And I'd say, "I know it's hard.

But if you have been forgiven by God, then he gives you the power to forgive others."

Better late than never.

I'll get the door.

We got a special treat for you this morning.

Any of y'all heard the story of John Newton?

He was a sea captain. sl*ve trader.

He was tormented and racked with guilt and shame.

Well, he found for forgiveness.

He found Christ.

He wrote a little song about that called "Amazing Grace."

That song touched the world.

Hey. What?

I figured out why you like junk.

What? Why you like to fix things.

Why you... you make something out of nothing all the time.

They got a word for that.

What's that word? It's "redemption."

Redemption.

Yeah. Hey.

What is... what is this note here?

Right there. What is that note?

G. Yeah.

What's that note? C.

C, all right. G to C.

You got some competition now, boy.

Yeah. Yeah.

Bart Millard!

You gotta hold still, Dad.

Oh, sorry. It's okay.

Oh, I wanted to be there.

That's all right, Dad. Ahh.

Hey, there's Shannon.

Boy, you better hang onto that girl.

Don't you ever let her get away.

Dad, we're not... we're not dating anymore.

What? What?

What'd you do?

You two are meant for each other.

Whatever you did, even if you don't know what you did, you're wrong.

Did I ever tell you how I met your mom?

Tell me.

Hey, this is Shannon.

Leave a message.

Hey, Shannon.

I don't know if you're getting these messages or not, but I just wanted you to know that I'm... I'm back home, and I'm... I'm journaling again.

I'm writing a lot like we did when we were kids.

It feels really good.

I love you, boy.

I was listening, Bart.

I was listening to you.

On the radio.

'Cause you'd sing... and I'd listen to every word.

And then... you'd finish, and then I'd listen to what they were talking about there at church.

That's what saved me.

I was real proud of you.

Was real proud.

I told you not to follow your dreams.

But that's only because mine, they never came true.

But you're not me.

You're not like me.

Unh-unh.

And you, you have a gift.

A real gift.

I wanna take care of you, Bart.

I got something for you, Bart.

Here.

I want the...

I never made much money.

But I have my life insurance.

And I... I tried to save everything I could.

And I want you to have that... so you can pay attention to your singing.

And you'll get a check every month so you can go chase your dream.

And I want you to catch it.

Hmm?

Don't you ever look back.

You promise?

I promise.

Will you sing a song, son?

I'm sleepy.

Sing.

♪ Amazing grace ♪

♪ How sweet ♪

♪ The sound ♪

♪ That saved ♪

♪ A wretch ♪

♪ Like me ♪

♪ I once ♪

♪ Was lost ♪

♪ But now ♪

♪ I'm found ♪

♪ Was blind ♪

♪ But now ♪

♪ I see ♪

♪ When we've ♪

♪ Been there ♪

♪ Ten thousand years ♪

♪ Bright shining as ♪

♪ The sun ♪

♪ We've no ♪

♪ Less days ♪

♪ To sing ♪

♪ God's praise ♪

♪ Than when ♪

♪ We first ♪

♪ Begun ♪

Imagine what he's seeing up there, Bart.

Just imagine.

Welcome back, man. Thanks, man.

Yeah.

Where we going?

West. Couple gigs in New Mexico.

Okay, God.

Okay.

Thank you! Thank you.

It's good to be back.

Man, I, uh... I haven't been on stage since I lost my dad.

And, uh, I'm learning to deal with it.

And I deal with it the only way I know how, and that's to write a song. And I'm gonna...

Well, I'm gonna sing it for you now.

This is called I Can Only Imagine.

That kid wrote this?

Yeah, he did.

Wow.

I know.

I can't stop listening to it.

I'm gonna start pitching it around town.

I know who you need to send it to.

Phone!

Jim, get it. You're right there.

Phone!

Seriously?

Phone!! No, man, I got it. It's cool. No, I got it.

I got it! Let it go, let it...

Okay, thanks, man, appreciate it.

Hello?

Who is this?

Sure. Yeah, hold on. Let me get him.

Bart, phone's for you. Bart!

Hello?

Yeah, right. Good one, guys, Real good joke.

Whose idea was that? Amy Grant.

Uh, that... that was her, man.

That... that was Amy Grant you hung up on.

Are you serious? Give me the phone! Yeah, that happened.

Any? Hello? Hello? Actual Amy Grant?

Jim, how do I re-dial? It's a rotary phone, Bart.

There's gotta be a way to redial. Call her back.

How do I get in...

Hey, Amy.

Bart... you didn't write this song in ten minutes.

It took a lifetime.

Scott gave me a Imagine when I was dealing with a friend losing a battle, you know?

And it got me through. I couldn't stop listening.

I mean, it's a career-maker.

And I know some songs can be real personal.

Is this what you really want?

You know, I've never told anybody my story.

My dad was a monster.

I mean, that's the only word for it.

And I saw God transform him from a man that I hated into the man I wanted to become...

into my best friend.

And I didn't realize it soon enough.

I guess that I didn't think that God could do that.

And so I wrote this song.

And I want as many people as possible to hear it.

And you can do that.

I can't.

So... yes.

This is what I want.

So, Brick. You know us.

We lay our cards on the table.

Amy needs a comeback song. We believe this is it.

Amy is doing a homecoming date here in Nashville to kick off a fall tour.

We'd like to showcase it there.

Hey, this is Shannon. Leave a message.

Hey, Shannon, um...

I just wanted to call you and let you know, uh, I wrote a new song.

It feels different than anything I've written before.

Um... I think it might be... might be something special, um...

Shannon, I'm sorry I hurt you.

I know I hurt you over and over and over again, and I... I'm sorry.

I just... it had nothing to do with you.

It never did. It had nothing to do with you.

I just...

I'm sorry I hurt you.

Hello?

Beautiful, isn't it?

I can't think of a better place to unveil Imagine.

I hope I can do it justice.

It's gonna be something.

Mm-hmm.

When do you record it?

Soon. Just gotta find that sound.

I've listened to your tape a thousand times.

Well, thank you.

Is there anything you want me to say after I sing it?

Tell 'em I wrote it for my dad.

♪ Be with me now ♪

♪ Breath of heaven ♪

♪ Hold me together ♪

♪ Be forever near me ♪

♪ Breath of heaven ♪

♪ Breath of heaven ♪

♪ Lighten my darkness ♪

♪ Pour over me your holiness ♪ Did you send one to DJC in Birmingham?

Okay, bribe him with chocolate.

Actually, Snickers Bars, he loves 'em. Okay?

Yeah. I got it. And you put on there From the writers of I Can Only Imagine.

Yeah, yeah, I've got 'em. Two hundred copies.

Okay, good.

Delivery truck just got here. So I'll load 'em up.

All right, good. Okay.

♪ Breath of heaven ♪

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

This next song is really something special.

See, I found a song that saved me through a time.

You know how music does that?

See I was, um...

I was dealing with loss, with pain.

And I heard this song, and it just blew my soul wide open.

It lifted me up. It rescued me.

And you're the first ones to ever hear it.

This is I Can Only Imagine.

Bart, would you come up here, please?

Ladies and gentlemen, the writer of the song is here tonight, and I want y'all to meet him.

Bart, come on up.

I'm not joking, come on up!

It's not just the song that's special.

It's you.

And this story is not my story.

It's yours.

And this moment, it doesn't belong to me.

It belongs to you.

Take it.

Bart Millard wrote this song, this beautiful song, and want him to be the one to sing it for y'all tonight for the first time ever.

Bart?

This is for my dad.

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ What it will be like ♪

♪ When I walk ♪

♪ By your side ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ What my eyes will see ♪

♪ When your face ♪

♪ Is before me ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Surrounded by your glory ♪

♪ What will my heart feel? ♪

♪ Will I dance for you, Jesus ♪

♪ Or in awe of you be still? ♪

♪ Will I stand in your presence ♪

♪ Or to my knees will I fall? ♪

♪ Will I sing Hallelujah? ♪

♪ Will I be able to speak at all? ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ When that day comes ♪

♪ And I find myself ♪

♪ Standing in the sun ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ When all I will do ♪

♪ Is forever ♪

♪ Forever worship you ♪

♪ I can only imagine, yeah ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Surrounded by your glory ♪

♪ What will my heart feel? ♪

♪ Will I dance for You, Jesus ♪

♪ Or in awe of you be still? ♪

♪ Will I stand in your presence ♪

♪ Or to my knees will I fall? ♪

♪ Will I sing Hallelujah? ♪

♪ Will I be able to speak at all? ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Surrounded by your glory ♪

♪ What will my heart feel? ♪

♪ Will I dance for you, Jesus ♪

♪ Or in awe of you be still ♪

♪ Will I stand in your presence ♪

♪ Or to my knees will I fall? ♪

♪ Will I sing Hallelujah? ♪

♪ Will I be able to speak at all? ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I can only imagi-i-ne ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I can only imagi-i-ne ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I can only imagi-i-ne ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ When all I will do ♪

♪ Is forever ♪

♪ Forever worship you ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

Wasn't that great?

Bart and his band MercyMe will be releasing that song as their first single, and I want all y'all to keep an eye out for it, okay?

Shannon!

It's always been you.

I've always loved you. I know.

Excuse me, sir. I hate to be rude.

This is an emergency. I-I, I promise.

I promise, 'kay?

Come on, Jim.

Hello? Hey, stop the truck.

What? You have to stop the truck.

Amy's giving the song back to us.

She's giving us Imagine.

Imagine is going out as our first single.

Stop the truck! Why?

Amy's giving it back! Stop staring at me!

Stop the truck!

Here's a new song for you on Magic 104.5.

Uh, guys? Guess who's on the radio.

Hey, can we give this a try?

Here's a brand-new song from a brand-new band.

In this week of the countdown in the number one slot, have you heard this song?

This song's gonna blow you away.

This song already means so much to so many people.

This is MercyMe, it's called I Can Only Imagine.

It's the number one Christian song in America, now charting on country and pop charts as well.

I love this song.

This is MercyMe on the Delilah Show.

So you know this is not a religious station, and we are not religious people, not by a long sh*t.

But believe it or not, this is the number one most requested song on the station.

It's I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe.

To sing his great song, I Can Only Imagine, please welcome Bart.

Bart!

If anybody I went to high school with is listening, I made it!

I Can Only Imagine, the song, was written after my father passed away with cancer many years ago.

Uh, he was abusive most of my... my life.

If he had a bad day, he took it out on me.

And he was diagnosed with cancer when I was in high school.

I saw Jesus change him completely.

He went from a monster to being a man, that was desperately and passionately in love with Jesus.

And it kind of set me on this warpath for the Gospel.

'Cause if the Gospel can change that dude, the Gospel can change anybody, you know?

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ What it will be like ♪

♪ When I walk ♪

♪ By your side ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ What my eyes will see ♪

♪ When your face ♪

♪ Is before me ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Surrounded by your glory ♪

♪ What will my heart feel? ♪

♪ Will I dance for you, Jesus ♪

♪ Or in awe of you be still? ♪

♪ Will I stand in your presence ♪

♪ Or to my knees will I fall? ♪

♪ Will I sing Hallelujah? ♪

♪ Will I be able to speak at all? ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ When that day comes ♪

♪ And I find myself ♪

♪ Standing in the sun ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ When all I will do ♪

♪ Is forever ♪

♪ Forever worship you ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Surrounded by your glory ♪

♪ What will my heart feel? ♪

♪ Will I dance for you, Jesus ♪

♪ Or in awe of you be still? ♪

♪ Will I stand in your presence ♪

♪ Or to my knees will I fall? ♪

♪ Will I sing Hallelujah? ♪

♪ Will I be able to speak at all? ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Surrounded by your glory ♪

♪ What will my heart feel? ♪

♪ Will I dance for you, Jesus ♪

♪ Or in awe of you be still? ♪

♪ Will I stand in your presence ♪

♪ Or to my knees will I fall? ♪

♪ Will I sing Hallelujah? ♪

♪ Will I be able to speak at all? ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Hey, yeah ♪

♪ I can only imagi-i-ne ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I can only imagi-i-ne ♪

♪ Ooh, whoa ♪

♪ I can only imagi-i-ne ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ When all I will do ♪

♪ Is forever ♪

♪ Forever worship you ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ I can only imagine ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Whoa ♪