Movies reflect human needs: Forgiveness

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.

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)

• 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)

• Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) asks Kathleen (Meg Ryan), "How can you forgive this guy for standing you up and not forgive me for this tiny little thing... of putting you out of business?"

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.)

Movies reflect human needs: Empathy

Blogging from A to Z Challenge

Theme: Movies reflect human needs...

Empathy

Image from storyblocks.com

Movies give the opportunity to experience empathy when we imagine ourselves to be the characters portrayed. What would life be like if we were in the situations the characters face? If I lived in that time period, or lived in that country, or lived in that house/hut/shelter... if my skin was that color... if my family background was like theirs... if I had that opportunity, or challenge...

"Change begins with understanding and understanding begins by identifying oneself with another person: in a word, empathy. The arts enable us to put ourselves in the minds, eyes, ears and hearts of other human beings." (Richard Eyre, British director and producer)

And, "Movies are the most powerful empathy machine in all the arts," according to film critic Roger Ebert.

Why is empathy a human need? Well, considering the political, cultural, social, upheavals going on, I think of what Mehmet Oz said:

"The opposite of anger is not calmness, it's empathy." 

In To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) tells Scout (Mary Badham):

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."

Walking around in someone else's skin... some movie plots take that literally and have the character(s) experience life in another body...

• Freaky Friday (1976, 2003)
• Goodbye Charlie (1964)
• Vice Versa (1988)

Or experience an age they imagined would be great...

• Big (1988)
• 17 Again (2009)
• 13 Going on 30 (2004)

Or experience what life might be like for the opposite sex...

• Mulan (1998) (I love the animated version!)
• She's the Man (2006)
• Some Like it Hot (1959)
• Tootsie (1982)

But here are some movies that helped me gain better understanding and empathy...

• Connie and Carla (2004)
• Front of the Class (2008)
• Just Mercy (2019) ("My Take" review found here.)
• Leave No Trace (2018)
• Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)
• 12 Angry Men (1957) ("My Take" review found here.)

What movies come to your mind regarding empathy? Is there a movie that helped you understand circumstances or someone better?

(Note: The movies listed might not be completely family-friendly. See my "Movie Content" information on the blog's sidebar.)

Movies reflect human needs: Dreams

Blogging from A to Z Challenge

Theme: Movies reflect human needs...

Dreams

Image from storyblocks.com

 

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.  (Langston Hughes)

So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.  (Christopher Reeve) 

A literal dream pointed me to the path of studying film and screenwriting. I wrote about it in a blog post found here.

Many inspiring movies contain a "follow your dream" theme, and many of those come from true stories of people who overcame the odds and accomplished their heart's desire.

Eddie the Eagle (2015)

• Based on the true story of young man from Britain, Eddie Edwards (portrayed by Taron Egerton), who was determined to compete in an Olympic event. (My ClearPlay review for this film is found here.)

Field of Dreams (1989)

• Not based on a true story, but is certainly a feel good movie about following a dream.

The Greatest Showman (2017)

• Based on the life and dream of renowned entertainer P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman). (My ClearPlay review is found here.)

October Sky (1999)

• When Sputnik goes into orbit, Homer Hickman (Jake Gyllenhaal) starts dreaming about building rockets. I love the tagline for the film: Sometimes one dream is enough to light up the whole sky.

Rock Dog (2016)

• A fun animated film about a Tibetan Mastiff who dreams of being a musician.

Rudy (1993)

• The story of Daniel E. Ruettiger ("Rudy" portrayed by Sean Astin) who, more than anything, wanted to play football for Notre Dame, despite being small in stature. (Also a wonderful example of Agency, as Rudy breaks away from family and community restraints and expectations.)

Soul Surfer (2011)

• Bethany (AnnaSophia Robb) loses an arm in a shark attack, but continues to chase her dream of competitive surfing. (Based on a true story of Bethany Hamilton.)

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

• Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) proves it's never too late to follow your dream. In his golden years, he traveled from New Zealand to the Bonneville Salt Flats and set a land-speed record with his 1920 Indian motorcycle. (Based on a true story.) ("My Take" review found here.)

Are you following a dream? What movie(s) would you add for this topic?

(Note: The movies listed might not be completely family-friendly. See my "Movie Content" information on the blog's sidebar.)

Happy Easter!

Because of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ...

We can repent, re-evaluate, reconcile, restart... starting today...