Sean McNamara’s biopic film Soul On Fire is based on the life of John O’Leary, a survivor of fire burns whose story of faith and perseverance resonates with many. This Christian drama is not just about John’s tremendous faith in himself but also the love and affection shown by those around him. John was a young boy when he saw some of his peers play with gasoline and fire. He showed interest in taking part, but they shunned him. So, John went back home and tried to experiment with gasoline in his father’s garage. He was too young to understand how fast the situation could get out of his hand, and before he even knew it, his body was on fire. Soul On Fire is about John overcoming this seemingly impossible phase and finding beauty in what life had to offer even after extreme hardship. Presumably some of the events are dramatized, but considering that John O’Leary is one of the executive producers of the film, most of what is shown reflects his lived experience.
Spoiler Alert
How did John’s family and the entire community around him help him survive?
John ended up running around the house for help, and that worsened the situation. His older brother, Jim, came to his rescue—he beat down the fire and saved his little brother. Jim carried John out of the house, and while he called 911 for assistance, his younger sister, Susie, went inside the burning house thrice to bring water to pour on John’s face. His eldest sister, Amy, stayed by his side constantly and tried to keep John calm. When John was admitted, the doctor declared that he had burns on up to 100% of his body and there was barely any chance that he would make it. John’s parents were devastated, but they refused to give up. Before John was taken into the operating room, he asked his mother if he was going to die. Susan responded that it was up to him; if he wanted to live, he had to put up a fight and have complete faith in the Almighty. John’s first operation was a success, but the doctors were still unsure of his survival.
John was a devoted fan of the Hall of Fame announcer, Jack Buck, and he looked forward to all of the St. Louis Cardinals matches, so when Jack Buck learned about John’s case, he felt the urgency to show up for the little boy. He started to visit John regularly, and had faith that he would survive, and he wanted to do whatever little he could to motivate the young boy to overcome the impossible.
John spent over five months in the hospital. Every time they took off his bandages to dress his wounds, he screamed in pain, and Nurse Roy became his support system. After Nurse Roy overheard John tell his mother that he wanted to live, he wanted to make sure that he did his part to perfection. Every time John told him that he didn’t think he would ever be able to walk again, Nurse Roy reassured him that he would be there constantly to make sure that he did. The nurse’s immense faith in John and his relentless efforts helped John feel motivated, and he ultimately succeeded in taking his first steps after the incident.
When his parents told him that the doctors had to ampute his fingers because they were infected, John was devastated. He’d always wanted to become a baseball player, and letting go of that dream wasn’t easy for him. But with the constant support of his parents, John felt determined to not let the recent development break him. When John made his way back home, his mother chose to let him figure out a way to have food completely on his own, even if it took him hours to do so. She had faith that her son would adapt, and John proved her right. Jack Buck declared a John O’Leary Day to celebrate the spirit of the young man. John and his family were invited to the stadium, and the brave survivor shared his story with the audience.
In Soul On Fire, it is repeatedly emphasized that John wasn’t the only hero of his story—his mother, who firmly stood by him; his father, who made it a point to let his son know that he loved him unconditionally; his siblings, who in their own ways made sure that their brother lived a happy life; Nurse Roy, who refused to give up; the janitor, who ensured that John’s room was always sanitized and whose efforts helped keep John safe from infections; and of course, Jack Buck, who selflessly devoted his time to a young boy and rooted for him. Along with John’s immense courage and faith, it was the belief and determination of these people around him that helped the young boy triumph over the impossible.
How did Jack Buck’s death affect John?
John was one of the popular guys in college, and he was pretty much the life of every party. He was known for chugging down drinks, though we soon discovered it was his coping mechanism. John didn’t want to be known as just the local miracle boy, so he created this fun, beer-chugging persona that helped him socialize with his peers. But his friend, Beth, saw through the act. She figured that he was trying to overcompensate, but she couldn’t figure out why. She found him attractive from the get-go; she also thought he was funny, caring, and just a genuinely good friend. But John failed to gather the courage to ask her out. He always doubted himself, because deep down he’d convinced himself that he wasn’t good enough.
After a year, when he finally asked her out, she wasn’t up for it anymore. She assumed that he wasn’t attracted to her, and she chose to bury her feelings for him. One day, when they almost met with an accident on their way to a ski resort, John and Beth realized how deeply they loved each other. They finally decided to get together; Beth hoped John would realize that he deserved all the love and affection in the world. But John never really stopped doubting himself; he decided to start a construction venture with his friend, and Beth soon realized that he chose to do so because he felt the need to prove himself. He wanted to do something that no one would expect of him, but Beth could not figure out why he needed to repeatedly prove that he was at par with his peers when he had already achieved so much.
When John learned that Jack Buck had been admitted to the ICU, he was heartbroken; he wrote a note for him on a baseball, but he could never gather the courage to see him one last time. Buck’s death affected John deeply, though he chose to never discuss his feelings with Beth. Soon, John married Beth, and they started a family together. He’d also started his journey as a motivational speaker. He was first approached by Deanna, a schoolteacher, to speak to her class, and while his first time wasn’t the best, he gradually improved. When he realized the impact his life story had on others, he figured this was his true calling. He always encouraged his audience to find reasons to be grateful even on bleak days. The courage and strength he’d demonstrated and the excitement he had for life even after everything he’d been through inspired his audience. Deanna came on board to help John, and soon their business grew rapidly. John was even reunited with Nurse Roy, who was glad to see that the kid the doctors had given up hope on was thriving in life.
Over the years, John’s father’s health started to deteriorate. Denny suffered from Parkinson’s, and gradually his day-to-day activities started to get affected. John wondered how his father was still so positive, and his only response was that he had enough reasons to be grateful. He was glad to see his son build his life from the ashes, though he complained about the wall that John always had up around him. There was no hiding from his father, so John confessed that although it had been ten years, not visiting Jack Buck during his final days continued to deeply affect him. The moment John thought about all the things that Buck had done for him, he felt completely unworthy. John couldn’t fathom how to thank the man who’d selflessly been there for him, and in a way he somehow felt guilty because he didn’t think he deserved such affection. John even went on to call himself a fraud because he’s failed to live up to what he asked of his audience. His father advised him to own his mistake since that was the only way he could ever move on.
What made John embrace himself completely?
John decided to visit the cemetery and pay his last respects to the man who changed his life. He apologized for not visiting him at the hospital, and he admitted that he never truly felt worthy of receiving Jack’s hall of fame crystal ball that he had gifted him on his graduation day. John figured he would never fully comprehend why Jack was so good to him, and the least he could do was pass on the lesson he’d learned from Jack’s selfless act. He was ready to spread the goodness and pull down the walls that had caged him in for so long. John realized there was no running away from who he was; instead of trying to prove the world wrong, he simply had to accept himself completely.
In Soul On Fire’s ending, we witness John deliver a motivational speech to the players of his favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals. He went on to publish his first book, “On Fire,” and even got the opportunity to pitch at Busch Stadium with a cheering crowd! John and his team moved into a bigger office with a better view that left Deanna spellbound. He also made his mother proud by playing the piano during his sessions and left his audience thoroughly impressed. John continues to inspire his audience, urging them to discover their purpose and reasons to thrive while emphasizing the importance of embracing life with open arms. He believes that “the most powerful weapon on earth is a human soul on fire.”
