About a month ago, Christianity Today came out with their annual list “The 10 Most Redeeming Films of 2009.” It’s no secret that I love watching movies, in particular discovering scenes of redemption in film. I am using the concept of ‘redemptive moments’ as scenes or images of grace intersecting broken or apparently ruined lives, at times even revealing the brokenness within the ‘good life’ as superficially understood.
That’s why I love movies from the now-dated The Mission (Robert De Niro & Jeremy Irons) and The Shawshank Redemption (Tim Robbins & Morgan Freeman) to more recent films like The Soloist (Jamie Foxx & Robert Downey, Jr.) and Gran Torino (Clint Eastwood).
I quickly realized that budget and time issues had mitigated against my viewing of most of the movies on this list. Aside from UP! and The Soloist, I have not seen any of these films.
Take a look at the films CT listed and let me know your thoughts about them if you’ve seen them.
I’d also be interested in hearing about other movies you think offer redemptive moments.
A couple of good books on the topic are:
- Robert Johnson, Reel Spirituality
- Catherine Barsotti & Robert Johnson, Finding God in the Movies
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Matt…
Just stopped by to read your post after seeing it on Twitter. You know me, I love my movies too. On that list, I would say to definitely check out “Up in the Air.” And, also on the “ones that got away” section, you should check out “Crazy Heart.” I think there is a clear (and tough) redemption tale there… and, as you may have seen from his Oscar win, Jeff Bridges is outstanding in it. The music is great too…
Kyle
Thanks, Kyle. I haven’t seen “Crazy Heart” yet but am looking forward to it. I’m a fan of Jeff Bridges in many ways because of his often quirky roles. I’ll look forward to seeing it sometime soon.
District 9 (which I was really surprised to see on their list) was amazing. Definitely worth watching. A thinly veiled plot line, but it does a great job of making the point.
Sam, thanks for the vote of approval for “District 9.” I haven’t seen it yet, but am planning on seeing all of the films on their list as I get the chance.
My favorites are:
The Green Mile
Cinderella Man
Crash
Gran Torino
Lori, thanks for commenting on my blog. Welcome to the community! I like all of those that you mentioned.
I really appreciate Clint Eastwood’s film-making, even though it’s quite dark at times. “Gran Torino” is a great example of that, as is “Million Dollar Baby” and “Unforgiven” (this is a bit violent, but worth the watch).
There were times when “Crash” felt a little put-on to me, but overall I liked the way the movie portrayed interweaving characters and lives that touch each other in unexpected ways.
Great films!
Million Dollar Baby is another favorite. But the clear winner in our house is Return of the Jedi.
The entire Star Wars movie saga is in a realm by itself; particularly episodes 4-6.
My favorite is “Chariots of Fire”. There is so much truth in that movie. I would have to put “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” as a close second. Again, great truths!
Thanks, Beth. I really like both of those as well. “Chariots of Fire” is incredibly inspiring, especially when considering the story behind Eric Liddell’s life mission and eventual stay in a Japanese interment camp during WWII (as recorded in Langdon Gilkey’s “Shantung Compound” and Norman Cliff’s “Courtyard of the Happy Way”).
My favorite is Les Miserable with Liam Neeson.
The thief becomes so much more because of a good man who sees something worth redeeming – despite the opportunity to seek vengeance. It changes the whole course of the man’s life and leads him to help others.
Thanks for bringing attention to that one, Ruth. I really enjoyed that movie as well. The book, though monstrous in size, fleshes out the redemptive power of grace in even greater ways.
I particularly like the opening scene where the Bishop shows grace to Jean Valjean (Neeson) even though he deserves punishment. Wow!
I agree – the Bishop behaved the way Christ calls us to- how challenging!!! The other characters turn us on our ear. The person we are supposed to trust to do good (the constable) is the character we don’t like. What does this mean? It led me to be challenged to remember that in desiring what is “right” we often forget the people we are called to love need forgiveness and compassion – not only justice. True justice weighs it all and does not focus on the deed alone.
It’s not a movie, but I’ve been repeatedly struck by the redemption themes present in the TV show Lost. It is particularly prevalent in the first and current (last) seasons.
Believe it or not, Heidi, I’ve not really watched “Lost” much. When the show started, I was the Collegiate Ministries Pastor at Elmbrook and the Tuesday night time-slot was taken by our large-group gathering for students. I’ve been tempted to go back and watch the whole thing on DVD but that’s obviously a huge time commitment.
I’d love it if you’d make your case for why I should do watch the show.
I think it’s just good entertainment! I particularly like that it has a story arc – six seasons with an end in sight, not the perpetual “up-the-ante” plots you wind up with in a show like ER that has been on the air for forever.
On a more…philosophical level, it deals extensively with how our choices determine the path(s) our lives will take, and the relationships between good and evil, authority and power, etc. There’s a bit more moral ambiguity (is he a good guy or a bad guy?) than I like, but since a lot of the show centers around mysteries, I see it as part of the plot.
Some of the seasons (2 and 3 in particular) weren’t so great, but I think it’s picked up steam as they head toward the series finale, and while I don’t think they’re going to wrap up all the sub-plots in the next month or two, I think the show has been pretty well-organized overall. If you want to watch it, you’ll need to start at the beginning, which you can do on abc.com or hulu.com, at least until the end of 2010.
Amazing Grace has become one of my favorite movies. William Wilberforce was an incredible man. I thought the movie was about the song – It wasn’t.
And of course, the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Great story of temptation, brokenness, and of course, redemption.
Great picks, Bill. “Amazing Grace” is definitely an inspiring movie. I didn’t know much about Wilberforce, aside from generalities, until viewing the movie. Watching the story really piqued my interest in finding out more about his role in changing British views on slavery. What a tangible picture of redemption for an entire culture!
I’m a big fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well. I completely agree that it portrays a great look at temptation and brokenness, as well as the grand conflict between good and evil and how that affects individual lives and communities.
Shawshank Redemption.
Terry, I really love this movie, too. Some folks don’t appreciate it because the depth of the darkness in it can be overwhelming. For me, however, I find such joy and life on the other side of the darkness. “Unforgiven” is like that for me as well.
Lord of The Rings trilogy?
Invictus?
Paul, I love LOTR, but haven’t seen Invictus yet. That is definitely on my “must see” list for the next few months.
Bella
“Bella”…Caroline, thank you for mentioning that one. I saw this with Kelly and my mom when she was in town. Heart-breakingly beautiful!
Check out the flick with Samuel L. Jackson, “Black Snake Moan.” Probably one of the most intense movies I’ve laid eyes on. And one of the most captivating, raw stories of redemption.
I suppose the deep south and electric blues lend themselves to the “rawness” a bit….
Thanks for the input, Eric. I haven’t seen this one and at first thought you were referencing “Snakes on a Plane” with Samuel Jackson, but am glad you weren’t. I’ll have to check this one out.