WHAT HOLLYWOOD GAVE ME THROUGH THE FILM, NOAH
I was excited when I first saw the trailer!
For the film, Noah, I, like everyone else, saw a portrayal of mankind’s wickedness, animals gathering 2-by-2 and eventually, humanity fighting for survival, willing to do anything to get on the ark.
The story that gave us wonder and chills as children, had finally come to the big screen!
This is what the trailer pitched anyway. And most Christians seemed to embrace quite quickly. However, as we’ve seen from our Facebook timelines and Twitter feeds all this week…
Christians are feeling duped.
Pastors and Christian leaders (even some who haven’t seen the film) are up in arms. They’re begging congregates and followers not to see the movie. (Which has obviously pushed tickets sales even higher, as is always the case.)
So what about me? I don’t have much of an opinion.
But I have a story.
On Tuesday night, my wife and I decided to go see Noah for our date night. We had both seen a few rants on the film over Facebook; but like many people, we wanted to see for ourselves.
The film was exactly what I would expect from Hollywood. An epic storyline, blown way out of per portion for the pleasure of the viewer.
Like other films like Troy, Gladiator, Braveheart, you name it; it was over the top in every way imaginable: Epic battles, struggle to survive, a touch of romance and viola; a blockbuster!
Sure, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I shook my head a bit, the first time I saw fallen angels looking like the Rockbiter from The NeverEnding Story. But once they started taking out the descendants of Cain, I got right into it.
The best part of the evening!
As we got back into the car, Nicole immediately pulled out the Bible that we keep in the side pocket of the car door. She read the account of Noah and we had an amazing conversation about Biblical truth versus Hollywood.
I don’t ever remember coming out of a movie theatre before, and immediately been drawn to Scripture!
It might have been years before I ever read the account of Noah again. Never-mind reading it with my wife! So, that was a precious moment for me. One that I’m very thankful for!
Hollywood’s account of Noah isn’t a Biblical one. But for Nicole and I, it did end quite Biblically.
Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts
Should Christians go see the film, Noah? Why or why not?
You know what the irony is? Normally I am totally one of those guys who says, “don’t judge a book by its cover” or in this case, “don’t judge a movie by its trailer”. I am the guy who looks for salvific themes in all kinds of Hollywood blockbusters, from LOTR to the Matrix.
But when I found out the line Noah speaks in the trailer “I am not alone” was not a reference to almighty God guarding His purpose and plan through Noah, but in fact to a bunch of Satan’s buddies trying to “earn” their way back to heaven with “good works”, that began my questioning of my earlier philosophy in the case of this film. And the more I learn about the actual textual and spiritual basis for this film, the more I am convinced that I cannot recommend or condone it, even with a movie ticket.
Thanks for leaving your thoughts Oliver! This movie has definitely got all of us talking. I absolutely respect your opinion and position.
My husband did the same thing, pulled up the Bible on his phone and read it out loud. It was a great thing! Of course their were weird things in the movie, but all in all it was a great story, with lots of drama, intense emotion, but also love and mercy!
Thanks for posting Lorraine! So glad you and your husband were able to share that moment!