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It was a week for mixed messages at the movies: The tempted-by-Satan comedy Bedazzled had some good points to make about the devil, but some lousy points to make about redemption. Pay It Forward, a drama about starting a "chain letter" of good deeds, also drew criticism for implying that humankind can save itself, but was highly praised for endorsing compassion.

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In Bedazzled, the devil (Elizabeth Hurley) buys the soul of Elliot Richards (Brendan Fraser) for seven wishes, which Elliot uses to try to become the dream guy for his dream girl. The wishes, of course, go humorously awry, since the devil is a master of trickery and duplicity. "Hidden in this film are some remarkable (and no doubt inadvertent) truths about the nature of Satan," says Curtis D. Smith, guest reviewer for Christian Spotlight. "Over and over we witness deception, lies, unfulfilled promises of satisfaction and arrogance on the part of Hurley's character, the father of lies." Movie Reporter Phil Boatwright agrees, saying "this rendition of the classic tale of Faust selling his soul to Mephistopheles reminds viewers of Satan's seductive offers, and how they come at a price." Boatwright also praises the film's comic touches. "When Elizabeth Hurley ... confirms that God exists and that he is a man, she adds, 'Most men think they are God. This one just happens to be right.' Well, I nearly doubled over. It was a great line and a pitch-perfect delivery." But the U.S. Catholic Conference wasn't rib-tickled, calling it a "tiresome film [that] emphasizes makeup and costuming more than humorous substance." Steven Isaac of Focus on the Family attacks the theology, too, saying the spiritual truths are outweighed by the misconceptions. "On closer inspection," Isaac says, "humanistic theology and spiritual smokescreens turn [the movie] into a monster. Quite literally, Elliot conquers Satan and earns his salvation with his own strength. And God is just another guy in the park with a few good ideas."

Pay It Forward's central idea—to do big favors for three people and ask them to pass favors on to three others—was inspiring to many Christian critics. "The concept of helping others is uplifting, and a welcome relief from more self-serving themes in many of today's movies," says Preview's John Evans, and the U.S. Catholic Conference calls it a "poignant drama [with an] exemplary message." However, the favors which Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) does to start the movement were met with skepticism. "Part of the flaw of Pay It Forward is in the depiction of the good deeds themselves," says Crosswalk.com's Michael Elliott. "Trevor's first act is an ill-advised one of bringing home a homeless drug addict and letting him spend the night. Later, a bag lady will, as her 'pay it forward' responsibility, help a fleeing criminal escape from the police. We should all aspire to do good for others, but we must be wise in our actions and true to the laws of the land." Another favor that drew criticism was Trevor's attempt to get his lonely teacher (Kevin Spacey) together with his mom (Helen Hunt), which rankled the Rev. Ed McNulty of Beliefnet: "Hollywood's propensity for showing premarital sex as an answer to everyone's prayers won out: Trevor is improbably shown rejoicing when he sees his mother and teacher sharing the same bed." Focus on the Family's Bob Smithouser was disappointed that characters relied on their own strength for redemption. "Despite good points about forgiveness, the fallout from addiction, and the need to reach out to struggling strangers," says Smithouser, "the message is humanistic. God has no place in the recovery of individuals or society." Holly McClure of Crosswalk.com, though, found the message of forgiveness poignant even without an explicit reference to God. "This is a heartbreaking story that proves how the golden rule pays off when an act of kindness is performed, but it's also about redemption and forgiveness," says McClure. "Mimi Leder has directed a movie about emotional healing from life's scars and how easily forgiveness can mend broken hearts and lives." (However, McClure warns parents that the previews for the film don't hint at how dark the movie is. "Even though the trailers show Osment with Spacey in a classroom situation, the story is not aimed at kids. This is an adult movie.") For more about this film at ChristianityToday.com, see Douglas LeBlanc's review/interview with director Mimi Leder and my movie review.

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October (Web-only) 2000, Vol. 44