Sean McNamara, the filmmaker who brought Soul Surfer and Reagan to the big screen, once again brings audiences a true story that will touch many, many hearts. Soul on Fire tells the story of John O’Leary, who survived being burned on 100% of his body as a 9-year-old but rose from the ashes to give hope and inspiration to millions through telling his incredible story. The film is based on O’Leary’s book On Fire and arrives in theaters on October 10th. Click here for more information about the film.
Out riding his bike one day, St. Louis native, John (James McCracken), saw some older kids playing with fire. Since they told him to scram when he showed interest, he went home, lit a piece of cardboard on fire and then proceeded to pour gasoline on it. The resulting explosion nearly burned down the O’Leary home and landed him in the hospital, burnt so bad he wasn’t expected to live.
John’s amazing parents, Denny (John Corbett) and Susan (Stephanie Szostak), never blamed John but only supported him and motivated him to keep on fighting for his life. His dad’s message to John: “I love you, Son. There is nothing you can do about it.”
Others become instrumental in John’s recovery. Nurse Roy (DeVon Franklin) becomes his companion during the five months he spends in the hospital, seeing John through the painful bandage changes and the struggle of learning to walk again. Jack Buck (William H. Macy), the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals, heard about the boy who got burnt and went to see John, a huge Cardinals fan, at the hospital. The friendship that developed between John and Jack, lasted the rest of Jack’s life.
Then there were John’s O’Leary siblings. John’s face didn’t scar because his little sister, Grace (Piper Jones), kept running back and forth into the burning house, filling up a glass of water, running outside and pouring it on his face. Older brother, Jim (Mikey Cestone), teased him into motivation for the hard work of recovery.
John’s release from the hospital was a celebratory event and Jack even invited John and the family to a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium to throw the first pitch and participate in the airing of the game.
John’s journey didn’t end there, however. As a college student, John (now played by Joel Courtney) became a typical frat boy, a partier and drunkard. Only when he met Beth (Masey McLain) and experienced her love and authenticity, did the walls John had built to protect himself psychologically and spiritually begin to break down.
With Soul on Fire, McNamara has given audiences a story of authenticity in a time when it is sorely needed. As more and more people only put their “good side” forward on social media, the courage and vulnerability it takes to tell a story of mistakes made, running away from reality, and eventual healing can bring hope to those who crave authenticity.
Throughout the film, writer Gregory Poirier gives us some great one-liners that are so uplifting they deserve to be repeated here.
“You can’t always choose the path you walk, but you can choose the way you walk it.”
“I don’t like your wall. The one that keeps you thinking you’re not enough.”
“You’ve been running from that gas can for 25 years. When are you going to realize it’s not chasing you anymore?”
“Everything in my life worth having came from that fire.”
“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.”
For more information about John O’Leary’s story and his ministry of witness, please visit his website here.