Where You Least Expect Him   A Review of Finding God in the Movies: 33 films of Reel Faith Catherine M. Barsotti & Robert K. Johnston (©2004, Baker Books, ISBN: 0-8010-6481-3)

 

Recovering fundamentalists often find the way out of the fundamentalist fog confusing or disorienting. They long for a guidebook or roadmap that will help them navigate the treacherous path away from legalism and into an intelligent, informed Christian liberty. Finding God in the Movies is just such a guidebook.

 

Christians raised in a repressive atmosphere who were never allowed to attend movies (or if they were allowed to attend, were taught to mistrust movie messages) will find a great deal of helpful information in this book. Most importantly, for those who now watch movies, whether it is for the first time or for a lifetime, Finding God in the Movies shows us how to identify and discuss Christian elements in modern cinema.

 

Johnston had previously written Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue where he covers the topic of theology and film. Finding God in the Movies is more of a practical movie guide for Christians than a theological discussion. The book begins with an introduction of the topic covered throughout the book – that God can be found in the movies – and explains how to go about finding Him. An all-too-brief discussion on The Power of Story (p. 16-17) provides a good introduction to the fundamental relationship between what movies are about and what the Bible is about – Story. Both venues allow us to experience humanity and one another at a safe distance while emotionally engaging in a shared event that affects us all. The authors spend a little more time explaining the importance of Unpacking the Story (p. 25-30) and making the movie-watching experience meaningful from a Christian context.

The bulk of the book, however, is a film-by-film look at some of their favorites arranged by such topics as Affirming Our Humanity; Beauty, Imagination, and Creativity; Choosing Life; and Embracing Our Vocation. They look at films dealing with reconciliation within families, forgiveness and racial reconciliation. The films they review include foreign (Life Is Beautiful, No Man’s Land, Chocolat , Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), animated (Spirited Away, The Iron Giant), and low-budget independents (Ulee’s Gold, Fly Away Home, The Straight Story). After a short explanation on how to use the book, the authors tell us enough about the movies to whet our appetites for both a good picture and a good discussion.

Each movie review begins with a list of production notes and a highlight of themes within the movie. The authors then provide a synopsis and theological reflection that are both helpful and informative. While the use of “Dialogue Texts” – a list of de-contextualized proof-texts from the Bible – was less than helpful as a means of tying the Bible in to the movie theme, the discussion questions provide the discerning movie-watcher with an opportunity to relate the entire context of the verses to the film. The authors conclude each movie discussion with a set of conversations about particular clips from the movie followed by what they call “Bonus Material.” For DVD watchers, this is akin to the discussions found in the extra sections added to most DVDs released today.

This book provides an opportunity for anyone, Christian or otherwise, who wants to see the relationship of a Christian worldview to popular culture. Movies have become far more serious in some ways than movies of the past and are dealing more candidly with controversial topics. Comic books provide a rich source of movie ideas but the topics of prejudice and alienation that permeate X-Men or the relationship of good and evil in the Spiderman and Batman movies have become far more sophisticated than the black and white hats of the past era’s cowboy movies. Indeed, the modern manifestation of the cowboy movie, Star Wars, has become an epic--if poorly told--story of one man’s descent into evil and his redemption through sacrificial death. What began as the story of Luke Skywalker’s hero quest has become the more important story of Anakin/Darth Vader’s loss and salvation. The Christian who can’t find God in such a story truly does not have eyes to see or ears to hear.

by Rick Presley