Grit, Grace and Dragons--Three Movies

A western, an urban drama, and a historical epic. In the last week and a half, I've watched three movies that deal with how we respond to tragedy and suffering in our lives.

First off, True Grit. In this remake of the John Wayne movie, precocious 14-year-old Mattie seeks out the services of marshall Rooster Cogburn to help her hunt down the man who killed her father. Mattie insists on accompanying him, and she brings her father's gun in the hopes of bringing her own justice. This is a Coen Brothers movie, so there are a few scenes of grisly outlaw violence. It also begins with Proverbs 28:1, "The wicked flee when none pursueth." The score includes heavy use of the melody of "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," and some of the symbolism is hard to miss--when Mattie loses her innocence, she falls into a pit crawling with snakes. The cinematography is excellent, as is the acting. The PG-13 rating astounds me, as the few violent scenes are stark and disturbing. Worth seeing if you can handle a couple of bloody moments.

Then there was The Grace Card, which comes out later this month. In this faith-based movie, police officer Mac is bitter and angry from the death of his young son years before. He harbors this bitterness, which manifests itself in a broken family, a stalled-out career, and racism. His new partner is Sam, a black, part-time pastor. The acting in this movie is good, but the story is contrived. I could live with the storyline up until a cringeworthy last-minute twist. However, I enjoyed the main themes of forgiveness and loving those who don't love you. This is not a subtle movie, and it's not beautiful filmmaking, but it's as good as any made-for-TV movie, with better acting.

Last but not least was There Be Dragons. When I first saw the title, I thought it was an animated kids' movie. It is no such thing. There Be Dragons is the story of Spanish saint Josemaria Escriva. He became a priest at the first rumblings of the Spanish Civil War. His childhood friend also begins at the seminary, but his life takes a completely different turn, as he joins the anarchist movement. These two men both suffer, and the different responses to suffering are the focus of the filmmaker. There Be Dragons is from director Roland Joffe, who directed The Mission and The Killing Fields. Beautiful scenes unfold; I particularly liked one where the priest is tending to someone at the hospital, a Jewish man he's known all his life, and there are three high windows in the gorgeous old building that stream sunlight down on the whole ward like a benediction. This thoughtful film makes some lovely statements about what it means to be human, and what it means to follow Christ. It isn't out until May, but it's a good one.

What have you seen lately that's worth seeing?