Breaking the Stereotypical Description of Christianity by the use of Life-Changing Scenarios or Events.
The films the Da Vinci Code, The Grace Card and The Shack are philosophical films which are based on Christian values and beliefs. The films are objectivization of the struggle with matters of faith after an experience which leads them to question their belief in God, or a relished Christian symbol and ideology. The movie has a common theme in that all the characters have a transformation at the end of the film, where they realize the true intended meaning and revelation of the answers to the questions they had been doubting. Transformation in this sense is not physical rather that it is a mental revelation of the aspect of affirming one’s belief on something which had long been hidden form them and caused serious anguish to them.
The film employs the ideology that the path to transformation and revelation of one’s true purpose must be undertaken on personal initiative and requires an open. The films depict how the people in the films struggle with their belief in something until they finally realize that it is a matter of belief and faith in one’s capabilities which would free them from their personal anguish to self fulfilment and awareness. All of them have happy endings after the films start with tragedy, in that tragedy changes a person’s belief which sets him towards the path of revelation. The films are based on characters belief on Christian stereotype which is eventually broken in the end. For example, the Da Vinci Code is based on the Christians stereotype that the Holy Grail is a cup which bears the blood of Jesus Christ. It is later realized that the Holy Grail is a companion of Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene who has surviving descendants in the world today.
The film Shack and the Grace Card bear some common stereotypes that tragedies in the world today all lead to a person having moments of sadness which leads to them abandoning everything they hold dear and live in despair. Also, all the films have the stereotype that one must encounter with a revelation to have a mental transformation. Stereotypes here are based on the Christian teaching and the literal interpretation of the Christian bible. However, there are binary opposites in the film in such a manner that the Da Vinci code contrast the other films because it is based on the conviction of faith rather finding the truth regarding a certain Christian belief or tradition. The other two, the Grace Card and the shack are different in the manner that the aim of the Shack is to enable a person towards should searching where they can find self-awareness and learn to employ different virtues while the one of Grace Card is based on the precept of having different calling and finally realizing their true purpose here on earth.
He films use archetypes which exemplify the themes in the plot in the Da Vinci Code uses the archetypes of Mary Magdalene who depicted as the perpetuator of the bloodline of Jesus, the Shack employs the aspect of Christian trinity that is God the Father, the Son and the Holy spirit which are depicted as helpers towards spiritual revelation and the cabin turns into being a paradise. The Grace Card employs the archetype of revisiting the issue of racism and the dislike of black ministers by the whites which is portrayed by a lead character who is a cop towards his black partner who doubles as a cop and a church minister.
There are notable transformations of the characters in the films which is usually used to cap the intended message in the films. The Da Vinci code lead character R. Langdon eventually comprehends a poem and finds out the hidden location of the Holy grail. He becomes aware that the Knights Templar had dedicated their lives in keeping the secret of Holy Grail hidden from the general Christians. On finding the sarcophagus of Mary Magdalene, Langdon kneels before it, just like the other Knight Templars before he had done. Hewas transformed into a guardian of the location and the existence of the Holy grail, known only by him alone.
The shack, on the other hand, gives the lead character transformation after he encounters with the Christian trinity in the cabin. He is transformed from a bitter person who is unable to move on from his past and instead he finds revelation by opening to the trinity and learns hoe to forgive and get closure about the death of his daughter. The same transformation is found in the Grace Card where the lead character who is transformed from a self-hating cop, and a racist, who blames himself form letting his die more than 17 years ago. He is later transformed after realizing how is behavior after the death of his son had caused anguish to the people close to him and the pain he caused them. Eventually, he gains redemption from self-hating and embarks on setting things right by having confessions and asking for forgiveness. His family and companions readily forgive him, and he is a changed man, already moved from his son’s death.
In conclusion, the films are based on the aspect of finding the true meaning and worth about some of the events which happen in real life and on historical perspectives. The films are the embodiment of the struggle to understand why some events occur and how they can change a person’s life. In this case, the theme of transformation taking a center piece which is the culmination of gaining revelation and insight of how things are, from the Christian perspective and belief.
References
Evans, D. (2010). The Grace Card. United States: Grace Works Pictures Provident Films.
Hazeldine, S. (2017). The Shack. United States: TIK Films (Hong Kong) Limited Gil Netter Productions Windblown Media.
Howard, R. (2010). The Da Vinci Code. United States: Imagine Entertainment Rainmaker Digital Effects Skylark Productions.
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