The thought that I'm pondering is, "What makes a movie 'Christian'?" Does it need to be made by a church, such as Facing the Giants or Fireproof? Does it need to be biblical, like The Passion of the Christ or One Night With The King? Does it need to be specifically allegorical, like The Chronicles of Narnia? Or are we even asking the right question all together?As Christians, why do we need to classify if a movie is 'Christian' or not? I think it comes from our desire to examine and censor all the negative stuff that might compromise our beliefs. But what kind of faith do we have if it can't be stretched and tested....
I always want to show my support for Christian movies, especially when I know a church or Christian organization made the film. For example, I saw the Christian teen-drama To Save a Life recently. Though I enjoyed it overall, I found the ending a bit anti-climatic and some scenes seemed especially forced, as if the producers were trying to prove how 'authentic' the movie was. I sense this with other Christian movies as well, which is part of why I'm writing this blog. Here I want to discuss three of my favorite movies, which all have Christian themes of hope and redemption. I also want to examine why I like these movies, whether or not they're a 'Christian' movie, and what that title really means, anyway.
 |
| Gran Torino (2008) starring Clint Eastwood |
The first film—and one of my all-time favorites—is Gran Torino. It's a film about an old man who's enervated by his surroundings. Walt Kolwalski is tired of his family's selfishness, tired of his neighborhood's encroaching multicultural diversity, and tired of the dilapidated and dying state of his once-great city. Despite the curmudgeon that he is, his new Asian neighbors befriend Walt, and he slowly withholds his prejudice. Walt becomes a father-figure to the family's son, and eventually stands up for the boy in inspiring—and unexpected—ways.
A very real and gritty depiction of our complex and diverse world, Gran Torino is rated R for violence and strong language. That can be the off-limits kiss-of-death for many Christian viewers...unless the movie is The Passion of the Christ. Many Christians are hesitant to engage a film that shows a realistic depiction of life...maybe because that reality is cruel and ugly. Gran Torino is one of the most redemptive stories I've seen on film in a long time. It's powerfully acted and by far one of Clint Eastwood's best.
 |
| 28 Days (2000) starring Sandra Bullock |
The next film is 28 Days. No, not the zombie film...that's 28 Days Later. The 28 Days I'm referring to stars Sandra Bullock as Gwen Cummings, an alcoholic who can't quite come to grips with her addiction. She's sentenced to twenty-eight days in a rehab facility, where she's forced to confront her erratic lifestyle and what she must do about it. Will Gwen choose her also-alcoholic boyfriend and the life she's used to, or will she stand and fight against her own will?
Like Gran Torino, 28 Days is not a Christian film. Should that disqualify it from being considered by Christians? Movies that have redemptive and hopeful messages should be viewed by Christians, whether or not they've been "Dove-approved." The world we live in is a sinful place...shielding our eyes from films that portray our world realistically doesn't exactly set us up to be disciples to lost and hurting people.
 |
| The Second Chance (2006) starring Michael W. Smith |
Here I've picked a movie that can be considered 'Christian.' The Second Chance was directed by Steve Taylor, who was a successful Christian musician in the 1980s. It also stars popular Christian contemporary musician Michael W. Smith (in his first acting role). I've selected this movie not only because it is a favorite, but also because jaded believers like myself should realize that it's good to acknowledge a remarkable film, whether it's a Christian film or not.
The Second Chance takes a look at two pastors who, though they share a common faith, have to preach to very different sets of people. One is a black pastor who works in the inner city, the other a young, white pastor who works in the wealthy suburbs. When they are assigned to work together, tensions arise and they're forced to face their own prejudice and work through their differences. It's another great story that carries themes of redemption and forgiveness, all through the unique lens of inner-city ministry.
Some Christian movies, such as The Second Chance and To Save A Life, purposely sought a PG-13 rating, which allowed them more freedom to show realism throughout the film. Oddly enough, this sometimes alienates a movie from the Christian audience who should be the most supportive of the work. This blog is to point out that film is one of the best ways we have to depict stories. Christ used parables to illustrate messages of hope and reconciliation with God. We have this very same method, and while we must use it with care and responsibility, we must not forget that Christ came to save lost and broken people. When Christians "sanitize" that redemptive process on film, it's a disservice to the message being communicated. Blogger Mike Duran posed this same thought:
" 'Knowing God' and descending into 'the dark places' of our hearts seems incongruous. As a result, many Christian artists, while touting God’s ability to save anyone, tend to sanitize depictions of the process. We say that God can save people from 'the dark places'—we just don’t want to show 'the dark places.' " 1If we can choose to see a film's redemptive qualities, and not cast it aside because it portrays the ugliness and brokenness of the world, we might open ourselves up to a beautiful cinematic experience that tells the same story we continually see in the Bible...the story of love overcoming evil.
1 http://mikeduran.com/?p=5055
No comments:
Post a Comment