“Finding God in All Things” is a basic premise of Ignatian Spirituality. Here are ten movies that have helped me to find God in new and meaningful ways. My list is both personal and idiosyncratic. I hope you’ll want to disagree with me!
10. A River Runs Through It [1992]
9. Au Revoir Les Enfants [1988]
8. The Mission [1986]
7. Slumdog Millionaire [2008]
6. On the Waterfront [1954]
5. Secrets & Lies [1996]
4. Babette’s Feast [1987]
3. Schindler’s List [1993]
2. The Year of Living Dangerously [1992]
1. A Man for All Seasons [1966]
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I could not make myself limit it to ten.
15. Michael – 1996
14. Sense and Sensibility – 1995
13. The Treaty – 1991 (Brendan Gleeson as Michael Collins, Ian Bannen as Lloyd George)
12. Remains of the Day – 1993
11. Walkabout – 1971
10. A Christmas Carol – 1938, 1951, 1984, 1999
9. The Bishop’s Wife – 1947
8. Les Miserables – 1998
7. Finding Neverland – 2004
6. A Patch of Blue – 1965
5. Ghandi – 1982
4. Becket – 1964
3. David and Lisa – 1962
2. A Man For All Seasons – 1966
1. Shadowlands – 1994
I forgot Francois Truffaut. I don’t know where they go on my list but they should be there:
L’Enfant Sauvage (The Wild Child) – 1970
L’Argent de poche (Small Change) – 1976
Paul
I whole heartedly agree with some of your choices. The Mission, Shindler’s List and a Man for all Seasons always make it on to my list of favorites.
Here are a few more to think about in no particular order
Big Night 1996
The Spitfire Grill 1996
Hotel Rwonda 2004
O Brother Where Art Thou? 2000
Gattaca 1997
Eric,
How could I have neglected Truffaut myself… and then there’s Kurosawa, of course. But my biggest regret is that I didn’t even consider “Shadowlands.” What kind of drugs was I on?
Some of your suggestions are totally new to me, like “The Treaty” and “David & Lisa.” I shall enjoy watching them in the months ahead.
Paul
Maura,
I liked “The Spitfire Grill” and thought it was worthy, but didn’t love it. “Hotel Rwanda” was grim viewing for me and with “O Brother Where Art Thou” I couldn’t get beyond George Clooney into a willing suspension of disbelief. “Gattaca” washed over me without leaving much of an impression – I will give it another try.
The one that most caught my attention on your list, however, is “Big Night.” It is the favorite film of several of my friends and I know there has to be depth and meaning there that I’m incapable of seeing. “Big Night” did nothing for me – somehow I am “tone deaf” to the charms that are obvious to so many others.
As they say, “There no accounting for taste!”
Paul
Paul,
I got “The Treaty” from an Irish outlet. I do not know how available it is in the U. S.
I have a “How could I forget” movie also, “The Secret Garden”, 1993.
Gattaca probably didn’t truely belong on this particular list. I must admit I rarely rewatch but I love it because it speaks to me about the inmeasurable value of a human life and the power of the human spirit in a world that values people by standards of what have you accomplished and where do you come from. I hadn’t thought about it before but I’m sure it is also emotionally wrapped up with the fact that my youngest sister was born with downsyndrom and I was told by a friend when she was born that my parents should have known better than to have a child at their age (all of 40). There is a part of me that has always rebelled against measuring the value of a life especially hers by those standards. I know for sure that Monica in her 10 months had as great an impact on me and others as some we could have known a whole life time. I’ll admitt that I can see why as a movie it doesn’t do much for others.
As for “Big Night” between that semester in Rome and having worked and lived in two Italian parishes there is something that feels comfortable about it clearing the way for the story to speak. There is something about making a meal for the sheer love of the food and those you cook for that has a eucharistic tone about it.
Speaking of movies with a eucharistic tone have you seen Pieces of April? Awesome movie! Really speaks to the role of the community and the healing that happens at a meal. That one should have been on the top of my list (How could I have forgotten it?)
I wouldn’t say you were “tone deaf.” I think our tastes reflect connections to our experiences real or longed for. Reflecting on all the movies on my list reminds me that I have some personal reason for liking each one. Each speaks to me connecting to a family story or experience though not always in obvious ways. Perhapse that is what all good story telling does it connects to our human experiences and makes us rexamine our lives in light of a bigger picture.
Maybe for” date night” tonight we will see Slumdog Millionaire.
Peace
Maura
P.S. In my own defense I have never understood why people go ga ga over George Clooney. What I like about the movie is really the sense of divine justice that leads him to revaluate his life and priorities.
Paul,
How about “Black Robe” — a great movie about Jesuits.
I’d also add “The Apostle” and “Groundhog Day.”
Nobody mentioned a comedy. If we can find God in all things, we can surely find him in comedy. Nominees: “Tootsie,” “Roxanne,” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
totally incomplete list:
the boy who could fly
shadowlands
oh god (sorry- but it is pretty awesome!)
dan in real life
Dear O’Mahoney & Reader Girl,
Many years ago I got the insight that newspaper “agony aunties” occasionally would deliberately give very bad advice to some people in order to stir up outraged comments from their readers. With this post, I think I may have achieved something of the same goal!
O’Mahoney is correct, of course, about “Black Robe” being a great Jesuit movie… but is it Ignatian? I thought about “The Apostle” but, frankly, I didn’t enjoy the movie very much so left it off my list. “Groundhog Day,” could certainly be classified as “Ignatian,” but – again – I didn’t particularly enjoy it. I’d want to talk with you, O’Mahoney, if we ever meet about why you think “Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid” rates as Ignatian.
I have never seen “The boy who could fly,” I have already been taken to task, and have admitted goofing up, over “Shadowlands,” find the suggestion of “Oh, God!” a little idiosyncratic, but love the inclusion of “Dan in Real Life.”
Paul
Paul
Paul,
I think Butch and Sundance were contemplatives in action. As bank robbers they were clearly active men, fully engaged in the world. But the movie shows them to be thoughtful as well. They repeatedly asked each other, “Who are those guys?” while they were being chased by a relentless posse. Sundance had great respect for his partner’s intellect. His refrain was, “You just keep thinking, Butch. That’s what you’re good at.” And remember the opening scene, when Sundance was winning every poker hand? One of the other cardplayers thought he was cheating, and sneered, “What’s your secret, cowboy?” Sundance answered, “prayer.”
Yes, I think Butch and Sundance were active men of the spirit. Admittedly they made mistakes. But these mistakes made for a pretty good movie.
I hope we can get together some day to discuss these things. I’d like to know why “Slumdog Millionaire” and “On the Waterfront” are Ignatian while “Black Robe” isn’t. And I’d like to know your nominees for Ignatian comedies.
O’Mahoney,
Okay, you’re on. Just remember, however, that there’s no accounting for taste!
Paul
hi everyone,
just wanna join you guys…this website was recommended to me by a priest from the LA Archdiocese. i had been reading your comments. very interesting! i am a big movie fan…i agree with most of Paul’s list although i might add “It’s A Wonderful Life” which i never get tired of watching every Christmas season. i just saw ” slumdog millionaire” . it was well made! but it depressed me coz of cruelty towards children. however after deeper reflection i saw the element of undying LOVE which is very similar to God’s love to each one of us. A God who always seeks for us and never gives up!!!
Nodelyn,
Welcome! Thanks for your comment. Like you, I love “It’s a Wonderful Life” and it probably should have been on my list… there was just an embarrassment of riches to choose from. I agree that “Slumdog Millionaire” is tough to watch but the theme of forgiving and transcendent love made it very dear to my heart.
Paul
1. Remember the Titans – 2000
2. The Matrix – 1999
3. The Mission – 1986
4. Schindler’s List – 1993
5. Finding Neverland – 2004
6. Gandhi – 1982
7. Dead Man Walking – 1995
8. Chariots of Fire – 1981
9. The Devil Wears Prada – 2006
10. Flashdance – 1983
The Boy in the Striped Pejamis
Motorcycle Diaries is one of my favorites. Although the violence can be unnerving and not something I usually watch, American History X stayed with me for a few weeks. There were so many elements of Ignatian Spirituality and since it was about such a dark world gave hope also.
Throw out Slum Dog…move The Mission to the top three!
If you like Rahnerian models of grace (transcendental like walking through a field of flowers and finding God’s presence, you got to notice them) , add The Color Purple
God is…trying…to tell you something (God is self-communicating).
Why no superhero movies?? I once used a clip from The Dark Knight (2008) for a Kairos retreat for Year 12 students.
And what about Signs (2002) and Unbreakable (2000) for a “Finding God in All Things” theme?
“Romero” would be on my list, along with “Places in the Heart.”
“Life is Beautiful” as well. Each shows the movements of grace and the presence of God in all things.
Very nice list. To be current I would include There Be Dragons. http://www.therebedragonsmovie.com/
Additions:
The Lives of Others (Das Leben de Anderen) (2006)
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Dogma (1999)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
I love thinking about all you all have said. I just found your site. This was a great promt for reflection. Thank you.
I notice American Beauty doesn’t feature in any list. A Jesuit friend of mine finds it very Ignatian
Don’t forget to your list of films to watch:
“Kite Runner”
“The Human Experience”
“Balseros”
“Fighting for Life”
“The Way We Get By”
“Life is Beautiful”
“The Mission”
“St Giuseppi Moscati- Doctor of the Poor”
“The Way”
And pls add to my list posted earlier
“Boys Town” –Father Flanagan
Shawshank Redemption
Cry Freedom
Of Gods and men
The Green Mile
Please don’t forget the Paulist film “Romero”. His conversion certainly sparked by the Martyrdom of his dear friend Jesuit Rutillo Grande. His life, writing and preaching guided by the Jesuits of the UCA. A truly incredible film.
“The Ultimate Gift”
“Patch Adams” (For sure!)
“Habemus Papam” (A great one)
“Into the Wild”