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February 07, 2006
Christians and Movie Criticism
In talking with a friend the other night, the comment was made that the friend did not appreciate movies with a redemptive story. Note that I am not talking about movies about salvation, those that feature a tearfully repentant drunk kneeling at the altar of a country church. I instead think of many movies within the film noir canon, most of which show that we do indeed pay for our sins.
The topic was Woody Allen. I enjoy Woody Allen's films a great deal; Lori and I watched Annie Hall last night while I graded papers. There is an undeniable truth, however, in Allen's films; almost every one of his protaganists are egomaniacs of the highest order. A proper Christian evaluation of this tendency in Allen's films will note that while we are all sinners, fallen and depraved, behaviors have consequences. In Stardust Memories, Sandy Bates is neurotic and self-involved. He is a rather miserable character, and as a believer, I would be remiss if I failed to mention that such self-indulgence harmed Bates and the women with whom he was involved. Art doesn't have to have resolution, but it is an existential failure to suggest that art is complete without further commentary. Brokeback Mountain may be a very well-made movie, but it cannot be ignored that in pursuing their own fantasies, the protaganists harm their wives and children. Whatever one believes about homosexuality, it is terribly irresponsible to endorse the notion that abandoning one's commitment to one's family is acceptable in pursuit of adolescent lust.
It would be unfair and perhaps even bigoted to limit this criticism to a movie that deals with homosexuality. In fact, Brokeback Mountain is just the latest example. Yes, like Woody Allen, we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. And it is because of this truth that our own criticism should not ignore, nor it should unlovingly condemn, the truth that our sins have dire consequences for ourselves and for those around us.
Posted by Matt at February 7, 2006 12:16 PM
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Whatever one believes about homosexuality, it is terribly irresponsible to endorse the notion that abandoning one's commitment to one's family is acceptable in pursuit of adolescent lust.
That's a strained reading of the film, which doesn't endorse adultery, leaving one's family, etal. What it does do is follow a classic tragic narrative arc: you have the tragic flaw (staying in the closet) and the tragic consequences (several ruined lives).
A rule of thumb for criticism: critique based on the form of the object (in this case, a tragedy), rather than what you desperately want it to be (a morality play).
Posted by: jpe at February 8, 2006 05:11 PM
Matt,
Since you are a fan of Woody Allen's, let me commend to you Crimes and Misdemeanors. Its exploration of morality is layered and profound.
Enjoy!
Posted by: Richard at February 8, 2006 05:33 PM
JPE: I'm thinking more of the public praise of the film, much of which ignores the tragedy that you and I both mention.
Posted by: Matt at February 9, 2006 01:37 PM