There is no formal sacrament of confession in the United Church but we saw half a dozen members of the congregation atoning for their Christmas sins at the gym this morning. As we burned calories I'm sure we all hoped for bonus points. **********************************************
Speaking of confession, for us 'tis the season to catch up on movies and yesterday it was Doubt starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman (what's with the Seymour?) and Amy Adams. A great cast in a thought-provoking film which is as much about religious certainty as it is doubt. The movie is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play. It is set in the early 1960's at a time when Pope John XXIII was shaking the Roman Catholic world with reforms which pleased some and disturbed others. Hoffman is the priest who embraces the prospect of a modernized church, Streep is the veteran nun and principal of a Catholic school who shuns change, and Adams is a young sister who is tugged by both perspectives.
Hoffman's priest offers up some interesting little homilies or sermonettes along the way, to a congregation that fills the church (times have changed.) One of his messages is about the uniting power of doubt. Later, in conversation with the older nun he insists that her certainty is an emotional response rather than based on fact.
If the conversation in our car on the return trip (it is in Whitby) is any indication, this would be a good film to see as a group, followed by a discussion.
Have any of you seen Doubt yet? Any other films you want to recommend to others?
We ventured with the three "generations" to see Marly last night. It did get some reasonable reviews, which had surprised me some, as so often the critics take aim at cute dogs and pretty sitcom stars (jennifer anniston.) It was as much a story of life, and the plans we make, some fulfilled others not, as it was the story of a devilish dog. Having lived through many similar scenes as a first time mom of both a puppy and baby girl (what were we thinking?), I could so relate. The movie did remind me of the joy in the "imperfections" of our life, and that all stages beginnings, middles and ends are grace filled. I couldn't help but think of our friend Rev Cathy, who very recently experienced the illness and death of their young dog, and Cathy's wise remarks to a little boy in our congregation who wanted so much for the dog to get better. She told him not to worry because Miksha(?sp) wasn't worried about dying. As we watched Marly peacefully slip away at the end of the movie,just as our Chevy, his eyes said he was okay... I am glad we saw Marly...it won't win any awards, and was perhaps a bit more than the kids had bargained for in the depth of emotions, but a good story of life.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the human stars don't get upstaged by the puppy or the children -- a rarity!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
We have taken in Valkyrie(Good movie),Australia(very enjoyable),Curious Case of Benjamin Button(some good special efforts, but it drags),Doubt(enjoyed),Milk(very good). Am going to see Frost/Nixon and The Reader next week. All have produced lots of discussion.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie. We enjoyed Milk as well. You are the second person to say that Button is a little too long.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we don't live near a theatre anymore. The closest one is a half hour away and it only shows one movie. So, we catch up through rentals. I will keep my eye out for the ones you all have mentioned.
ReplyDeleteWe too went to Marly and Me with several generations and all of us could relate. It was nice to see a movie as a family about a family that in fact stays together through all of the trials and tribulations. I was glad we saw it. Our 9 year old even cried but perhaps for different reasons than we adults.
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