Trust Fund | A Movie Review

Trust Fund Movie
Inspired by the prodigal son story in Luke 15, Trust Fund is a modern prodigal daughter story of two sisters and their loving father.

Produced by Mapelle Films, the movie which was shot in widescreen and rated PG, starts with a flashback from the sister's childhood while visiting their father's publishing company with their beautiful, smiling mother. The opening scene shows how close the two sisters were when their mother was alive and proves to be a type of foreshadowing.

While waiting for her father, Grayson Donahue (Kevin Kilner), now grown up Reese Donahue (Jessica Rothe) who is an aspiring writer discovers that her mother left her and her sister ten million dollars.

The father wants the best for his youngest daughter, often giving her more than she deserves, but he is concerned about her spending habits. She lives in the most expensive part of the city and won't get a job. She's "so close" to finishing her book and thinks she deserves her lavish lifestyle. Filled with frustration towards her sister along with a sense of entitlement, she justifies betraying her father and claims her new-found inheritance for herself. Except instead of asking for it, she takes the money and runs.

Of course, Audrey (Louise Dylan), her older sister is the hard working daughter who is self-controlled and does things by the book. She makes a perfect cup of tea, nibbles only the corner of her fancy piece of chocolate, and works hard at her father's company.

Reese runs away to Italy, gets entangled with a guy, and loses her money. She returns home full of regret, but her father forgives her and shows her nothing but kindness and love.

The movie is set in Chicago and Italy, but if you're from Kansas City, you may recognize some scenes from the movie!



We liked that it was another take on the Prodigal Son parable.

The characters are well developed. Reese is a dreamer, a visionary. Audrey is a doer. Grayson Donahue is a loving, kind, and patient father.

"As generous as your mother was, it was more important to her that you know who you are, and money can't help you with that." 

Reese thinks she knows what she wants, but she doesn't know who she is.

Audrey is a doer, so when she learns that her sister took off with her cut of the inheritance, she can't stand by and do nothing. She wants to track her down and get the money back. So when Mr. Donahue says, "We're not tracking your sister down like she's some kind of criminal," she takes matters into her own hands and hires a private investigator, Jerry Peters (Willie Garson). This turns out to be a fun twist to the story. When her father finds out, Audrey eats a whole piece of chocolate in one bite.

Meanwhile in Italy, Reese is living it up, but trouble is brewing with her Italian boyfriend, Milo.

The movie has a Christian message, but the movie itself is not overtly Christian because there is no mention of God. However, the Trust Fund Study Guide delves deeper into the themes of the movie from a Biblical standpoint, comparing and contrasting the parable from the Bible with this contemporary prodigal daughter story.


The study guide has some thought provoking questions and detailed explanations of how the film ties into the Prodigal Son parable.


The Study Guide asks:
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Which one of the brothers, or sisters, is lost? Do you think one is more lost than the other? Which one would you rather be?
Of course, we think Reese, the prodigal daughter is lost initially, but is she really the one who is more lost?

I was the older sister growing up. I got good grades, participated in school activities, and prided myself on my moral behavior, while my younger brother, who was just the opposite, got all the attention. In many ways I still am the older sister because I follow God's law to the best of my ability. Because of my relationship with Jesus, I know in my mind I will never measure up without him, but I often wonder if I truly know that in my heart.

 “There is no one righteous, not even one." Romans 3:10

As I have walked close with the Lord, I feel like Reese in many ways. I follow His law, but fail to see how I've been blessed with the blessings He promises in His word. I feel entitled. I'm sure God is just like Reese's father and desires to bless me and will, if I could just be patient. He desires to see me grow and knows when I am ready.

I liked that the ending does not leave you hanging. Where some movies leave you wondering what will happen to the characters, this one wraps up Reese's life with a pretty bow and a happy ending for all.

The book Love Was Near offers a more in-depth look into the story and what Reese was thinking.

Love Was Near Book

Produced by Isaac Alongi who was homeschooled himself, Trust Fund is his first independent film and well worth the watch.

"There are all kinds of opportunities. You just have to choose what you want, what's worth waiting for."

Trust Fund Movie {Mapelle Films Reviews}

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2 comments

  1. So very interesting!!!!!! Now I want to see it! You give great reviews!!! :-)

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  2. Thank you! It's sure fun to have these little opportunities. ☺️

    ReplyDelete