Theological Reflection and Eleven Movies

            I’ve finally gotten hold of the purpose, goal and method of this study (I think). The idea is to see a move and then “throw theology like a net over it, to capture its meaning.” Following are the movies I’ve seen in the past six weeks, along with notes on theological themes. The themes are not necessarily identical to themes found in the movies.

            “Admission.” Not all movies lend themselves to theological reflection. This one doesn’t.

            “Oblivion” is a source of reflection on four themes. Creation: an alien intelligence subverts the vision God has for the earth. The human person: the dignity of the human person, which is “rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God” (CCC 1700), is deeply damaged. God: the alien invader calls itself God, the creator of a new kind of human being. Apocalypticism: the movie presents a grim vision of the future.

            “Mud.” I first wrote about “Mud” in terms of art (the movie’s theme and genre) and literature (the Epic of Gilgamesh). The moral life is the theological theme for reflection, considering the contrast between Mud’s lawless life and the lessons Ellis’ parents teach him.

            “42” evokes thoughts on the human community, especially with respect to social justice; and virtue. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Society ensures social justice when it provides the conditions that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due, according to their nature and vocation” (CCC 1928). In the movie, Jackie Robinson and Branch Ricky demonstrate the virtue of courage.

            “Iron Man 3.” The actions of Iron Man to liberate the Western world from the evil intent of the Mandarin are possibly a metaphor for redemption, the saving work of Jesus Christ.

            “The Truman Show.” Clive Marsh puts this one in his chapter on God; the producer of the show plays God with Truman’s life. The movie also provokes reflection on the dignity of the human person.

            “The Place Beyond the Pines.” The sacraments (baptism and implicit references to matrimony); church (a scene occurs inside a church); and sin. Sin is a difficult concept. The Catechism discusses it as acts of the will in defiance of God; the movie invites reflection on it as something that darkens and weakens the human mind (see McGrath, 428-9).

            “Do the Right Thing.” Invites thoughts on the human community, but this time more along the lines of what it takes to live in society. “Through the exchange with others, mutual service and dialogue with his brethren, man develops his potential; he thus responds to his vocation” (CCC 179).

            “Promised Land.” Brings up the theme of the human community as well. There is also the struggle of the main character, Steve Butler, to live a moral life.

            “Crimes and Misdemeanors.” This movie directly addresses the themes of the moral life, God, and sin. Sin this time refers to specific acts of adultery and murder.

            “Minority Report.” The dignity of the human person is a significant issue in this one. Agatha, Dashiell and Arthur have been impressed since childhood into service as “precogs.” They are confined to a watery tank and treated as nothing more than oracles predicting murderous acts.

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