Movie Monday: Mary & Max

The thing about summer:  I forget what day it is!  I almost missed my Movie Monday post, and I planned to feature a movie that was the reason I started this whole thing!  If you're not intimidated by difficult movies, and have a slightly off-kilter sense of humor, then this movie is for you:  Mary & Max. 

Photo courtesy of imdb.com

The film is shot in black and white and sepia tones, and is claymation.  It's the story of a young girl, Mary, and her relationship with Max, a man with Asperger's Syndrome.  Mary lives in Australia and is an outcast.  Mary doesn't see the world in quite the same way that everyone else does, and she has a large birthmark on her face.  Max lives in New York, is Jewish, and is 44 years old.  Max is voiced by Philip Seymour Hoffman.  Mary is a little girl, voiced by Toni Collette.  They become pen pals, and develop an unusual friendship.

I liked this movie more than any other movie I've seen in a long time, which is saying a lot.  It is challenging, and it has a dark humor, but I'm into that sort of thing.  Even though the characters are cartoonish, this is not a kids' film.  It's the kind of movie that older teens should see, as it portrays how our differences can alienate us from others and can keep us from the things that we desire the most.  It's a story of friendship at its core, and I think that it is wonderful.  (Mary & Max is available on Netflix).

In other news, my oldest sons are on a mission trip to Mississippi.  They come home Saturday, and I miss them like crazy.  It's too quiet around here!  I'm truly, immensely proud of them for going out on a limb to help others in need.  I can't wait to hear what the Lord shows them on their journeys.  While they're gone, Brian and I are planning a surprise for them.  I'll keep you posted...

Finally, schools are posting teaching jobs!  I've been applying for special ed. and classroom teacher jobs, and I am praying for God's guidance in finding a job for the fall.  What a crazy time to begin a career in education!

Many blessings,

Jennifer

Movie Monday: True Grit

I finally had the opportunity to see the new movie True Grit, starring Jeff Bridges.  It was really good.  I enjoy westerns, and I am a fan of Mr. Bridges, so I was predisposed to like it.  Matt Damon played the part of LaBoeuf, originally played by Glen Campbell.  He provided levity to the dark story of a young woman who sets out to avenge the murder of her father.  Hailee Stanfield, the young actress who plays the lead character, Mattie Ross, is excellent in a very demanding role.

It's been a while since I've seen the original movie starring John Wayne.  There are some changes, as I recall.  I would like to read the book that the movies are based upon by Charles Portis.  At any rate, the movie is excellent.  The movie was shot in Granger, TX and in New Mexico. 

The plot centers around Mattie.  She is searching for a U.S. Marshall of 'true grit' to aid her in capturing her father's killer, Tom Chaney.  She settles on Rooster Cogburn, played by Mr. Bridges.  Through the course of the journey, it is discovered that the marshal isn't the only one with true grit, as Mattie herself possesses it in spades.  The use of language in this movie is amazing.  Though the setting is in the south, specifically Arkansas, the characters are not seen as hicks with a twang.  The language is formal--no contractions of any kind are used, even by the outlaws.  Cursing and foul language are kept to a minimum. 

Mattie wants justice, and she is single-minded in her determination to obtain it.  The murderer is seen from the different perspectives of his pursuer.  Mattie views him as slow-witted, while LaBoeuf sees him as calculating.  Mr. Cogburn cares very little for the character of the man who has committed this and other crimes; he is interested in the reward for his capture.  Cogburn and LaBoeuf are changed by Mattie, and she learns a lot about how our decisions can have unforeseen consequences. 

There are a number of religious motifs throughout the film.  The hymn"Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" plays throughout.  The movie begins with a quote from Proverbs.  The movie asks the viewer to consider justice.  The Bible says that vengeance is the Lord's.  Man is not to take revenge.  Mattie pursues revenge and it costs her dearly.  It is not clear whether Mattie's vengeance gives her a sense of peace.  That is left to the imagination of the viewer.

True Grit is available at local Redbox locations and on DVD/Blue ray.

Many blessings,

Jennifer

Movie Monday

I've decided to start a new feature on this blog, one I've been thinking about for a while.  I enjoy watching movies, especially ones that are not highly publicized.  I'm a fan of foreign films and documentaries.  I'll be featuring thought-provoking films that I've watched each Monday.  You're welcome to comment on the films I feature and to link to your own blog posts, if you are doing a post on movies, as well.

For this week, I am featuring the movie Forgiving Mengele.  This documentary was made in 2006 about Holocaust survivor Eva Kor.  Ms. Kor and her twin sister, Miriam, were selected by Dr. Mengele to participate in genetic experiments while at the Auschwitz concentration camp.  Twins were forced to endure blood withdrawals and injections of unknown substances, in addition to the emotional torture of the concentration camp.  Ms. Kor's determination to survive is admirable, and her decision to forgive her tormentors is controversial, as is shown in the film. 

The story of Eva Kor raises difficult questions about forgiveness:  What does it mean to forgive?  (This question is asked of Ms. Kor repeatedly.)  Does forgiveness need to be earned?  Can forgiveness be given on behalf of dead loved ones?  Is it right for a human being to forgive; isn't this the sole right of God?  These questions are asked, but not necessarily answered in the course of the film.  The survivors of Holocaust atrocities who live daily with the effects of the torment they endured at the hands of the Nazis are split with regard to Ms. Kor's offer of forgiveness.  Many are openly hostile towards her.  Jewish scholars are seen challenging her decision to forgive. 

The most interesting aspect of the film comes toward the end, as Ms. Kor meets with a group of Palestinian professors who want to discuss their own wounds at the hands of Israelis.  Ms. Kor's reaction to the Palestinians reveals the complicated nature of human forgiveness.  She is willing to forgive the Germans, but is not willing to ask for forgiveness from the Palestinians for the wrongs that they have experienced at the hands of the Israelis (Ms. Kor is a Romanian Jew, living in Terre Haute, Indiana.).  She says that she could not hear their stories of trauma and terror because "it is too much."  The bloodshed is happening now, and she cannot bear to hear their stories.  It is unclear whether or not she feels that the Palestinians are experiencing oppression.  She is clearly uncomfortable and fears for her safety, so she is eager to leave the meeting.

For Christians, we are commanded to forgive.  Jesus said in Luke 6:37:  "Forgive, and you will be forgiven."  We have been forgiven of our sins through the atoning death of Jesus Christ.  The Jewish scholars discuss the idea of atonement as it relates to forgiveness, and this is a significant stumbling block to their ability to forgive.  They sincerely do not feel that the Germans are worthy of forgiveness, because they have not atoned for their wrongdoings. 

I like that this movie forces the viewer to really contemplate the notion of forgiveness.  What does it mean to forgive?  The central focus of this question is the concern for justice.  Does forgiving someone mean that the wrong that they have done is forgotten, or that it is acceptable?  I take my view of forgiveness from Scripture.  Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  In other words, we do not hold that person's sin, or wrongdoing, against them.  We do not expect retribution or vengeance.  Essentially, when we forgive, we do not consider the other person's actions worthy of punishment.  It is an action that enables us to move on from the injury and thwarts bitterness.  It is an act of cleansing--a cleansing of our hearts and minds from the idea of revenge.  (Let me also say that this does not mean that I do not believe in punishment.  I also believe in justice strongly.  However, I believe that forgiveness is a conscious determination of our will.  It is like love, in that it is not a feeling, but an action.  It is something we do to prevent bitterness from taking root.)

Forgiving Mengele is available on Netflix.  If you watch it, let me know your thoughts.  I'm curious to know what others' opinions are on this subject of forgiveness.

Many blessings,

Jennifer