Blogging from A to Z Challenge
Theme: Movies reflect human needs...Forgiveness
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My husband likes to joke, "In our house someone is always saying, 'I'm sorry' and Trudy is always saying, 'That's okay.'" Ha! As if he's the only one who blunders in our relationship. I mess up plenty of times, trust me, I'm human.
Humans make mistakes, it's universal. All of us need forgiven for our offenses, and all of us have the need to forgive others... and ourselves.
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. (Lewis B. Smedes)
The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world. (Marianne Williamson)
Some wonderful movies regarding forgiveness...
Amazing Grace (2006)
- His is not the main story in this film, but John Newton (Albert Finney) used to captain a slave ship and tells of his struggle to find forgiveness and peace. The beautiful hymn he wrote expresses part of that journey: "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me." (I love this version, performed by Il Divo!) ("My Take" review of this film is found here.)
Antwone Fisher (2002)
- Psychiatrist Dr. Davenport (Denzel Washington) counsels a man trying to overcome a painful past (Antwone, portrayed by Derek Luke), and gives Webster's definition of forgiveness, "Regard without ill will despite an offense."
The Grace Card (2010)
- "I promise to pray for you every day, ask your forgiveness, grant you the same, and be your friend always." That is the grace card.
- Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore) tells her daughter she needs to forgive her father. "Forgive him. Forgive him so you can embrace this truly remarkable day." ("My Take" review of the film found here.)
Take (2007)
- Bitterness and anger nearly destroy Ana Nichols (Minnie Driver). She has to learn to forgive Saul (Jeremy Renner). (I wrote about this film here and here.)
You've Got Mail (1998)
Which do you find tougher... forgiving others, or forgiving yourself? Does holding onto a grudge indicate a lack of forgiveness? What movies about forgiveness do you recommend?
(Note: The movies listed might not be completely family-friendly. See my "Movie Content" information on the blog's sidebar.)
Trudy,
ReplyDeleteWOW, this one is tough. "You've Got Mail" is a great movie. The original "Shop Around the Corner" falls in with these. What about the western "Unforgiven". A man who turned away from crime to only get sucked back for revenge. He was certainly wronged and the bad people deserved the swift lethal punishment delivered upon them but even they need forgiveness. They needed the kind that only God can give. It's hard for human's to forgive when someone is taken from them but we should peace in doing just that.
Stop by when you get a chance to check out my Looney Tunes Foghorn Leghorn art sketch on Curious as a Cathy. ;) Happy A2Zing!
I didn't think about the movie Unforgiven. Good example of how not forgiving others can be destructive. Some movies, to drive conflict in a plot, focus on revenge rather than forgiveness.
DeleteTrue forgiveness is sadly lacking in the world today. In films I think of something like American History X - not for the faint-hearted, but the idea that criminals can reform and seek and give forgiveness is a powerful story. Enjoying these posts - making think of re-watching so many films!
ReplyDeletehttps://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/07/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-f/
I wasn't familiar with American History X, so I watched the trailer and, wow, it sure looks like a powerful film!! I'm glad you shared that.
DeleteWell, forgiving others is quite easy to me, and I find forgiving myself a lot more difficult ;))
ReplyDeleteQuilting Patchwork & Appliqué
A lot of us have difficulty in forgiving ourselves. I am really good at beating myself up and re-hashing past mistakes. (I'm making improvements, though!)
DeleteInteresting theme for films and I've actually only seen one of the films you feature. My go to films for this topic would be Dead Man Walking, Green Mile, and Les Miserable.
ReplyDeleteThose movies definitely fit the topic. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteMy stepfather used to say that my mom could bury a grudge, but never forgot where the grave marker was...
ReplyDeleteThat made me laugh! I might resemble that remark more than I care to admit.
DeleteBryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative has a great quote, "I believe that each person is more than the worst thing they've ever done." There is a great documentary about the EJI called True Justice. I highly recommend. It is so good.
ReplyDeleteWe all make mistakes and need to be forgiven from time to time. My grandmother could keep a grudge but it's not for me. I'd rather forgive and move on.
Weekends In Maine
I love Bryan Stevenson's quote. And I think of how "Doubting" Thomas could also be called "Devoted" Thomas, because he was willing to die with Christ (John 11:16), but, no, he's labeled for doubting.
DeleteI've read the book Just Mercy and watched the movie. I'll keep my eye open for the documentary True Justice. Thanks for recommending that!
In your list, I have always have just one movie I have seen, and since I loved that movie, it makes me want to see the rest of them as well. "You have got mail" was a simple yet amazing movie which I watched few times... As for forgiving, it is always easy to forgive than myself - this holds true for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! I'm glad my lists of movies are helpful. I like sharing movie recommendations.
DeleteSometimes characters have trouble forgiving. Film I am thinking of is "Promising Young Woman." Just watched it and it was powerful! Forgiveness is something the main character struggles with for years.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen Promising Young Woman, so I watched the trailer. That's a tough situation to forgive... I can understand why it would take years.
DeleteYou know I love that you included You've Got Mail in this one! ��
ReplyDeleteI thought you might like that! :-) I recently watched You've Got Mail again, so when he says that line about forgiving him, I had to include it!
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