During a camping trip with his children, Sams youngest is abducted and murdered.
But Mack gave up looking for answers in the Bible long ago.
Hes flying solo through life, white-knuckling it without a spiritual copilot.
Papa is inviting him to the shack deep in the woods where his daughter was killed.
Is this a prank from someone with a sick sense of humor?
Or could it be the real deal?
Mack is emotionally desperate enough to head up to the snowy woods and find out.
Theyve summoned Mack to answer his questions, settle his doubts, and soothe his soul.
But really, more than anything, to allow him to forgive himself.
Hes skeptical, hes angry, hes confused, hes resigned, and ultimately, hes at peace.
He finally gets right with God, convinced that his dead child is happy in the next life.
Its hard to argue with spiritual movies that are as well-intentioned asThe Shackis.
But theres also something about the film that leaves a sour aftertaste.
Its answers are offered up too easy.
Theyre too spoon-fed and trite.
It makes light of the grueling process of grieving for a loved one.
Just have faith, the movie says, and you too will be at peace.
All thats missing in the films bucolic spiritual way-station is a cornfield.
Dont worry, though, theres more than enough corn elsewhere in the movie.C
