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A marriage is in crisis. Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) is a self-centered firefighter who would rather hang out with his buddies or sit in front of a computer than spend time with his wife, Catherine (Erin Bethea).

Whenever the couple try to talk, conversations inevitably slip into bitter disputes over bills, chores, misplaced priorities. After seven years of marriage, both parties are ready to hang it up.

But Caleb calls his father, John (Harris Malcolm), who encourages him to halt the divorce proceedings and give the marriage one last try. Pop sends Caleb a book with a 40-day program aimed at rebuilding relationships.

At first, Caleb follows orders with all the enthusiasm of someone with a gun pointed at his head.

Day 1: Don’t say anything negative to your spouse. No big deal.

Day 2: In addition to not saying anything negative, perform one unexpected act of kindness.

Caleb follows orders, but his heart’s clearly not in it. He buys Catherine flowers, for example, but it’s a small, cheap bouquet and she’s not impressed. In between battling fires and saving accident victims, Caleb sticks with the program. Slowly, his inner feelings begin to be turned around by his outward actions.

On the other hand, Catherine, who works as a public relations executive at a local hospital, is savoring the newfound attention she’s getting from a young doctor. The doc’s flattery is keeping Catherine from really noticing Caleb’s efforts.

If Fireproof is a bit hokey at times, it’s also very real. The filmmakers are two Baptist pastors, Stephen and Alex Kendrick, who draw on the many marital horror stories they’ve heard while counseling couples over the years.

Cameron, the former Growing Pains child star who now devotes himself exclusively to Christian films, is a perfect fit for the transformation of Caleb Holt.

He starts out a macho fireman who refuses to leave a colleague behind during a fire, yet turns a cold shoulder to his wife and marriage. By listening to the advice of his father (a rarity on the silver screen) and with the help of a concerned colleague, Caleb’s icy heart begins to melt.

Fireproof is not a slick Hollywood production by any means. Cameron is the only experienced actor, with the rest of the cast composed of average folks from the Kendricks’ hometown of Albany, Ga.

The supporting cast’s lack of acting experience shows through at times, sometimes glaringly. But it never detracts from the main focus, which is the Holts’ relationship.

And there are times when the awkward acting actually seems refreshing, particularly in the comedy-relief segments that occur in the firehouse.

Bethea defies her lack of acting experience to appear quite comfortable in front of the camera, even though her only previous acting role was in Facing the Giants, the Kendricks brothers’ previous movie.

Fireproof is a drama with a message — an overtly Christian message delivered with the boldness of a Dr. Phil-meets-Billy Graham tag team.

But at its core, it’s a small story about two people — and those who love them — going against the tide and trying to save their marriage instead of abandoning it.

It may not play in Hollywood, but it should touch a lot of hearts across America.

Contact David Yonke at dyonke@theblade.com or 419-724-6154.