Bad Morals in Hollywood? No, Just Art

Chuck Colson, one of the fall guys in the Watergate scandal, turned his stint in prison into a ministry for prisoners which, by many accounts, has done a lot of good. Today as I surfed the radio channels after several stations dropped out while driving through the mountains, I was not so impressed by a radio review of the film Revolutionary Road by Colson.

It's a film that I wasn't rushing out to see, since '50s family dramas are not my thing, but after hearing his sanctimonious review, I think it's better than being banned in Boston for piquing my interest.

The review, which can be read in full by clicking on the link in the first paragraph, judges the film's plot to be a celebration of narcissism, slams the critics who approved of the acting and jibes the Academy for picking it for award nominations. Even a quick glance at the array of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes makes it clear that not all critics liked the film.

I suppose it's possible that the film could be interpreted in only one way, but it seems that through Colson's prism, there's no room to believe that the film is a portrayal of flawed characters whose choices lead to tragedy -- a cautionary tale of sorts. Certainly, with all of the fighting and unhappiness that takes place in it, you can't consider it a glorification of self-centered people.

If the film had promoted promiscuity, adultery, or any other of the seven deadly sins, aside from pride, maybe I'd be inclined to agree with Colson. But from all reviews I've seen, it apparently does not. When I hear a review like his, about a film like that, I feel uneasy, as though if it were in his power, such films wouldn't exist. Thankfully, we have freedom of speech and expression in this country. Just as God gave us free will and a mind to use.

As much as I like some Christian films, I believe the world has to be a part of our lives, and sometimes worldly films can be instructive and inspiring. Art, even when it's ugly, has its place. When films fail as art, and when they are offensive, we have the right to walk out on them.