The Shack

Who wouldn't be skeptical

when a man claims to have spent an entire weekend with God?

In a shack, no less.

And not just any shack. This was the shack.

What I'm about to tell you is a little on the...

well, it's a lot on the fantastic side.

But that doesn't necessarily mean it's not true.

Mack was born in the Midwest.

A farm boy in an Irish-American family,

committed to calloused hands and rigorous rules.

(WHIMPERING) No! Look at me!

- Look at me! - You're hurting me.

- Listen. - (WOMAN SCREAMS)

His father was an elder in the church.

What are you looking at, boy?

- Closet drinker. - Leave him alone.

- (GRUNTING) - (WOMAN WHIMPERS)

Especially when the rain didn't come, or came too early...

- (SCOFFS) Yeah. - (WOMAN SOBS)

Most times in between.

Mack!

I just took an apple pie out of the oven.

Come have a slice.

No, thanks.

That wasn't a question.

Here you go.

- Thanks. - Mmm-hmm. (SIGHS)

Look at me, baby.

Daddies aren't supposed to do that to their kids.

It ain't love. You understand?

What do I do?

Talk to God.

He's always listening.

Sing with me,

as those who feel led make their way to the altar.

That Sunday, when the preacher called...

He knew he couldn't stay silent any longer.

That's all right.

Just tell Him what you're sorry for.

I can't make Him stop.

I try, but when he drinks...

he beats my mom.

I try to protect her.

But I can't! (SOBBING)

Why do you make me do this, boy?

Why do you embarrass me in front of my people?

Say it.

- Say it! - (GRUNTS)

"Obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."

Louder!

Colossians 3:20!

"Obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord!"

- (GRUNTS) - (MACK SOBBING)

The beating lasted well into the night.

What happened after that, Mack doesn't like to talk about.

Let's just say pain has a way of twisting us up inside...

And making us do the unthinkable.

Thirteen is way too young to be all grown up.

The secrets we keep have a way of clawing their way to the surface.

You're okay.

Mack and Nan had been married for 18 mostly happy years.

She's the glue that holds that family together.

Actually, if we get outta here in the next three minutes, we might make it on time.

Kids?

Missy, hold still for one second. Pause! Pause!

- Okay. Never mind, forget it. - Josh!

Jo...

- Are you ready? - Yeah. Why?

Well... Nan, there's something wrong with Josh.

- He's combed his hair and he smells nice. - He's trying to impress Ally Taylor.

- No, I'm not! - Yes, you are!

- Who's Ally? - Well, I don't care who it is.

If she gets us there on time, she's got my blessing.

But if God is always with us,

why does He care if we're late for church?

- She's got a point. - Yeah.

God cares because your mama cares.

- (MACK CHUCKLES) - Okay, come on.

It was a nice try, you little rascal.

Good morning.

- Hi, guys. Hi.

Mack, did you catch the game last night?

Since when do I control the remote?

I hear one day you get it back.

You know, crazy thing is, I'm starting to like her shows.

I met Mack at church 10 years ago.

Back then, he didn't know God the way Nan did.

If his relationship was wide...

Nan's was deep.

She called God "Papa" and talked to him like an old friend...

which was never something Mack could relate to.

But together they still managed to create what most would call a good life.

But all that changed in an instant...

when the Great Sadness came uninvited.

No, you can't drive, it's too dangerous.

No, I haven't seen anything like it.

Yeah, of course I'll be fine.

I'll heat up that rice thing.

Just a little tired, I guess.

I was gonna clear up the driveway before dark.

Call me in the morning.

Yeah, you, too.

I ain't seen a storm like this in 30 years.

It's a good thing Nan and the kids are off the roads.

You want some help over there?

Grab my shovel. Knock it out in no time.

I'm okay.

Shouldn't take too long.

Thanks for the gas.

How about some dinner tonight?

Maggie made chicken pot pie.

Nah, Nan left me food in the fridge.

- Maybe next time. - All right.

Thanks.

All right.

Hey, Dad. Dad?

Hmm? Dad, catch.

There's no room. (CHUCKLES)

Hey.

You might wanna put this somewhere where you can find it.

First aid.

If we get stung by bees, we'll use river mud, right, Josh?

- Yeah. - (SIGHS)

Mom, are you sure you can't get out of your seminar?

Come on, come on, you guys are gonna have a great time.

I have faith in your Dad's mothering skills.

You do? - Hey.

Hey, hey, hey, young lady, what have you got there?

- My insect collection. - Your what?

Hey, are you packing bugs?

- No, Daddy. - No?

This is Dixie and Donna, the carpet beetles.

Wanda, the walking stick.

And that's Carl, the caterpillar.

"Carl, the caterpillar." I like it.

Can I take them? Please?

We can't leave Carl, the caterpillar, behind.

Not a good idea.

No.

I'm sorry. I tried.

Summer's last hurrah?

It's gonna be an awful lonely weekend around here.

I'll bring you back a six-pound brown.

All right. None of that store-bought stuff.

- I can tell the difference. - (MACK CHUCKLES)

Hey, Willie, have you got a moment?

- Sure. - Cool.

We gotta... we gotta go.

Hey, a little patience, please. Kids?

Okay, okay. Come on.

- Cheese? Okay.

- Good-looking bunch. - Sure?

Okay! Get outta here! Goodbye!

Hey, kids, look there. Remember?

The falls. Daddy, we have to stop!

- Let's go see the waterfall. - No stopping.

We gotta get to the campground before dark.

Well, have you told Missy the story of the Indian princess?

What princess?

Come on, Dad, you have to! You have to tell her the story.

- We have to go back. - Please!

We can't go back.

- We can't keep pulling off every exit. - Come on.

The answer is no.

A long time ago, there was an Indian princess.

What did she look like?

Well, she was very pretty.

What color was her hair?

Like this.

Do you want me to tell you the story? Okay.

Well, this princess was the only daughter of the eldest chief.

And he was the leader of a great tribe.

Till one summer, a terrible sickness spread through the land.

It was so fierce even the strongest warriors fell ill.

They were on the verge of death.

So, all the chiefs met to see what they could do.

Princess' father, he told of a prophecy.

The illness could only be stopped

if the daughter of a chief gave up her life for her people.

After a long debate, they knew they couldn't ask for such a sacrifice.

And the princess, when she heard about this prophecy,

she knew what she had to do, 'cause she loved her people so much.

One morning, she climbed up to those rocks.

And without hesitation, she jumped.

The next morning, a great healing came over the tribe.

The sick began to rise from their beds. Everyone rejoiced.

But the chief knew that his daughter was missing.