Movies That Have Moved Me
Yesterday, I wrote about a movie that, fifty years ago, moved me not to weep but to come out of the comedy closet, as it were. A movie that gave me, the boy who’d suffered countless time-outs merely for bringing the joy of laughter to his classmates, the courage to finally stand up and proclaim, “I have a pun and I’m not afraid to use it!”
But even earlier, I’d discovered the power of drama. Movies inspired me during my make-believe times (i.e. most of the time), to courageously sacrifice myself to save a pretty girl, and then die in her arms; or to contort my face and body in the bathroom mirror into those of a tragically misunderstood outcast (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), moving myself to tears.
The power of imagination doesn’t lie in originality (kid’s steal wholesale from movies, books, video games), but in the ability to believe in the things one imagines. And, oh, how I believed–then and now. The stories in my head are every bit as real as the ones in the world around me. Which makes me one of two things, I guess:
Crazy.
Or a writer.
Is there a difference?
Movie mogul Samuel Goldwyn once grumbled, “If ya wanna send a message, use Western Union.” Nevertheless, it’s message movies that leave the deepest impression on me. From the heart-on-his-sleeve classics of Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington); to the cautionary tales of Billy Wilder (Lost Weekend, Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard) and Orson Welles (Citizen Kane); to dramas of lost-and-rediscovered hope (A Beautiful Mind, Manchester by the Sea); to living-for-something-bigger-than-yourself stories like Casablanca, On the Waterfront, and The Verdict.
But it’s redemption stories that have most deeply influenced my work as a storyteller. And no film has ever touched that God-implanted disposition in me more deeply than Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, which thirty years ago this month was dominating theatre screens worldwide. As Ben Kingsley’s character says near the end of the film, “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.” I still can’t watch the final scene (below), or hear more than ten seconds of John Williams’ heartbreaking theme, without shedding tears. Why? Because redemption isn’t simple sentimentality (for that see the Hallmark Channel). It’s the essence of life itself.
And that’s why I chose a redemption drama, Healing River, to be my first feature film as a writer-director-producer. Oh, I still love comedies (I have two waiting in the wings), but even those have echoes of redemption. Redeemed love stories make me smile (When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail), and redeemed family stories make me wipe my eyes (Toy Story, Parenthood, Inside Out).
But redeemed life stories touch my soul.
Oh Yes !!! Well this is one I have seen 😁👍🏻
Great Classic 👍🏻
This movie is incredible and the ending is always a moment that makes me cry. Magnificent.
“Healing River” is a great movie that portrays the power of forgiveness in the worst of circumstances. You’ve gleaned well from movies and the Bible. Thanks, Mitch. 🙂
As always, my privilege, Nancy. And thank you.
[Redemption] is the essence of life itself.” I like the way you think!
Schindler’s list had a huge impact on me…
That theme song!
Indeed.
It was a wonderful movie and the message is clear
I love that your film “Healing River” demonstrates (very powerfully and realistically I might add) how despair can be transformed to delight. You succeeded, in the end, to provide hope for us all!
Aw, thank you, dear Nancy.
I’m loving this little movie series of posts… the inspiration for you, the personal connections. For me songs have made impact on me as a writer… but movies have been a fun part of my marriage… Each summer we do these movie challenges. One summer was 80’s movies… we got to choose one move for each year of the 80s to watch. The only rule was no horror (which was hard for me as a fan of that genre.) This summer we are using out local library and going through the alphabet. She is starting at A and I am going backwards from Z (just so we know we will watch through the alphabet by the end of the summer). What is cool about any media is the shared experience. The opportunity to have something to share and talk about together. Sorry for the long comment…
What a great idea!
I think that’s why Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables is one of my favorite novels, musicals, movies. 😊
Yes!
I have Schidlers List. It’s a good one.
One of the greats. 😉
Movies don’t often move me, but this one did, and still does. I’m a fan of Capra.
Wonderful redemption movie! We rewatched it after my daughter read the book in school. And later got to put stones on his gravesite in Israel.