My Favorite Movies

Before Michelle and I got married, there were a few things that caused problems between us. Now that we're married, of course, we never have any problems.

One of the things that bothered her was my penchant for movies which depict violent or otherwise offensive acts. Right off the bat I should clarify; it's not a particular affinity for such films. The more accurate statement would be that my penchant for movies does not exclude those which contain these less than savory elements. As always, the more accurate statement is the less gramatically pleasing one.

She couldn't understand why I enjoyed nasty movies (her adjective), and orthogonally, why I listened to nasty music. It didn't fit with my character as she knew it (and she knew it well). I was (and am) a moral, idealistic, even naive, good Christian boy. The sarcasm and cynicism is all just a front with me, though not an entirely voluntary one. I'd like to lose some of the cynicism if I could...another post for another day.

How then, she would ask, tearfully at times, as we were not yet married and this was a source of fear about our potential future life together, this unknown and irreconcilable aspect of my otherwise admirable character...

Too many subclauses. Starting over.

How then, she would ask, could I watch such films and still heed Paul's call in Philippians 4:8:

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.

I'd like to point out, as I did to her, that absent from this list of adjectives is the word 'nice.' Truth is not always pleasant. That which is noble and right, and even pure and lovely, is not compulsorily free of ugliness. I think the greatest stories of our or any era show that, in order to portray truth and beauty at its most excellent and praiseworthy, the artist must also faithfully depict her characters' depravity, whatever it may be.

Obviously, this doesn't justify violence for violence's sake. There are plenty of movies which offend just to offend, and I don't enjoy them. Usually I don't even watch them; they're pretty easy to spot in advance. One film I haven't seen which I'm curious about is American Psycho. If anyone can tell me whether it falls into this category or not, I'd appreciate it.

But there are quite a few 'nasty' movies which are incredibly redemptive, including my two favorite films, Se7en and American Beauty.

Se7en is the story of a serial killer, but shows none of his killings. The narrative follows the detectives tracking him as they view the scenes of his crimes. Some violence is shown in brief flashback form, but it is not the killer's acts that make the film so disturbing. It is his purpose. And the mind-blowing climax, in which his character is so vividly revealed and his acts transformed into something both greater and more terrible than murder, raises questions which last far longer than the closing credits.

I watched American Beauty for only the second time last night, six years probably very close to the day after the first. What an amazing film. The conclusion, after so much selfishness and shallowness from nearly every character in the movie, manages to resonate with love, generosity and redemption. Not redemption for the characters, for they are all guilty though none without excuse; but somehow Life itself is rescued from emptiness and meaninglessness through one man's death, and by proxy our lives as well. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry. You will."

I could give several more examples of films which, through some violence or depravity, portray the human condition and model its salvation. Pulp Fiction and The Matrix are obvious ones. I highly recommend The Talented Mr. Ripley. Even Life Is Beautiful must show some darkness to be as bright as it is. I know some of my readers are thinking of more examples as rapidly as I am...Saving Private Ryan, the Godfather trilogy, I haven't seen the Kill Bills yet but I'm sure they would qualify. A couple you might not have heard of...Boondock Saints and Cube are definitely worth checking out.

Not that I'm expecting everyone to agree with me. That's not the point. Michelle and I have laid this issue to rest to our mutual satisfaction, but as with so many things in a healthy marriage, the solution does not require either party to change. What is required is understanding and respect for a position different, but equally valid and in some ways more mature, than your own. I admire Michelle for not wanting to pollute her mind with images of evil. There is certainly enough of that in the real world not to have to go looking for more in fiction. And she can agree that there is benefit to be gained from films which she nevertheless has no interest in seeing, and be okay with me watching them when she (and Toby) is (are) not around.

Thankfully there are plenty of good flicks we can both enjoy. We still haven't seen the new Chocolate Factory yet, despite my devotion to the original as one of the best films of all time and my esteem for the incomparable Mr. Depp. Some of our favorites include Shakespeare In Love, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Sliding Doors. Special recommendation for linguists and National Geographic readers only...The Story of the Weeping Camel.

So what are your favorites (in either category)?