Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 23, 1994 TAG: 9410290004
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A few readers, however, did send in suggestions of must-see movies based on their religious content - a wonderfully eclectic assortment of films from "Die Hard" to "Forrest Gump."
It's obvious from the rationale of those who wrote in that religious themes are in the eye of the beholder. Let's start with the most recent blockbuster, "Forrest Gump."
Margaret Buford of Rocky Mount saw the story in a way that I admit never occurred to me. Gump "resembles Hosea, the Hebrew prophet of the 8th century B.C. Although the parallels do not conform entirely, the unmistakable quality of Forrest's love for his lifelong sweetheart matches the forgiving, unconditional love of Hosea for [his wife] the immoral Gomer. ... Redeeming love and new life come from unwavering loyalty and forgiveness."
"Gump" also made an extensive list from Radford University's Russell I. Gregory, professor of philosophy and religious studies. He saw it as a tale of "the quest for enlightenment [as] a singular task which each must do on his or her own."
Gregory's list was broken down into four religious categories: general, international, reinterpretive and secular. In addition to "Gump," the latter included Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal" with its "quest of the hero/heroine," and "Blade Runner," which addresses the issues of "mortality and immortality" and "death of god."
Others on Gregory's list include "The Mission" with Robert DeNiro as a converted slave trader who joins a Jesuit's mission to indigenous South Americans during the "Age of Discovery"; "The Gods Must Be Crazy" with its primitive-vs.-modern point of view; and "Gandhi." But maybe my favorite pick of Gregory's is a movie I've always loved despite the scathing reviews it received - "Dragnet."
I've got to admit, though, I would never have thought of it for this list. But the movie does have a corrupt religious leader, and, in Gregory's words, "the good crusader is tied to the malevolent cause and they both profit."
Douglas B. Levy of Radford saw "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray as an interpretation of "people who are trapped in the cycle of sin." At first, Murray's character has fun doing whatever he wants as his day is repeated over and over. Then he does good deeds, but his own actions never suffice to "get him out of the rut." Finally, the female lead - who Levy sees as representing God - buys Murray's character at a charity date auction, and "this represents God buying us back with the price of Jesus."
Pretty heavy.
Levy also found "Hook" to be "filled with symbolism." For him, Peter Pan represents God, Capt. Hook represents Satan, and Peter's children represent God's children. "Hook can't get to Pan, so he goes after his children."
"E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" had striking resemblances to Jesus for Bobby Nuckels of Iron Gate. "He taught love. He died, came back to life and - as he was about to ascend into the heavens - promised to `be right here' in the heart and mind."
Jean Wheeler of Bedford, a Sunday school teacher and elder in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), found the quintessential religious theme of good versus evil in "Die Hard." "You just can't wait to see Bruce Willis get the bad guys," she wrote.
Other nominees included "Tender Mercies," "Witness," "Mrs. Miniver," "Bram Stoker's Dracula," and "Babette's Feast."
To wrap up, we'll let the Rev. David Cox of R.E. Lee Memorial Church in Lexington get in a good word for a television series he believes consistently treats religion with respect - "Northern Exposure."
A recent episode, for example, "Joel confronts his own sin during Yom Kippur. And taking faith seriously actually makes a difference in a character's life. Atonement is a heavy topic, yet it was treated with good humor but with the utmost respect."
Maybe must-see television programs will be a topic for the future.
Thanks for your suggestions. See you at the movies.
by CNB