We might re-name this column Who's Afraid of a Happy Ending? After all the fuss over whether Shrek's conclusion was happy, another movie is dividing critics over its last minute surprises and tearjerking contrivances.
Hot from the Oven
David is a robot. He's been given to a needy family, the Swintons, to help them through a time of grieving and stress while their real son Martin lies comatose. He's considered a toy, but it quickly becomes apparent he's not just a plaything. At first, Monica Swinton feels insulted, and frightened too, to have such a strange "substitute son" in the house. But as little David's all-too-human charms go to work, she decides to flip the switch that makes him special. He's the first robot to be programmed to "love" his mother. When David's "love" begins, Monica begins to know joy and healing. But nobody, not even the robot makers, realize what they've done. And when such childlike love feels threatened, or learns about the reality of death, other lifelike qualities develop: jealousy, fear, and anger. Will David's new family persevere, and love him back? Or will he become "inconvenient," or perhaps too dangerous?
This is the premise of Steven Spielberg's new futuristic epic A.I. (Artificial Intelligence). The movie recalls Pinocchio, The Velveteen Rabbit, and many other fairy tales. The Swintons struggle over the responsibility we have for those we bring into the world. The dilemma of Cybertronics, the company that invents David, is part of a larger debate about science, technology, and our responsibility for the things we create. Above all, it is a cautionary tale about how our arrogance can set in motion things we cannot control. As Jeff Goldlbum's character said to the dinosaur makers in Jurassic Park, "You were so busy thinking about whether you could that you didn't stop think about if you should!"
For years, movie buffs have salivated at the thought of a Kubrick/Spielberg collaboration. And while Kubrick died two years ago, his vision is clearly woven throughout Spielberg's finished product. What a feast for the eyes! A.I. is gorgeously filmed by acclaimed cinematographer Janusz Kaminski (Saving Private Ryan, Three Colors: Red), and stars The Sixth Sense's Haley Joel Osment and Jude Law from Enemy at the Gates, with a soundtrack by John Williams and cameos by Robin Williams and Chris Rock. The movie seems a guaranteed success. But judging from the wide array of critical reactions, it is safe to say the film will be remembered more for its controversial ending than for its technical quality. Parents are quickly finding out that this is not another E.T..
Most complaints from critics in the religious media targeted the uncharacteristic grimness of Spielberg's storytelling. Consider the reaction of The Movie Reporter's Phil Boatwright: "This is one dark, cold movie, with elements of cruelty and despair. This isn't just a depressing film, it literally grieves the spirit." Notice also the warning provided by Focus on the Family's Steven Isaac: "A heart-wrenching scene of abandonment will prove unsettling to almost everyone who watches it; a young child, however, could be deeply affected. Dark, sexual images and the ruthless killing of human-looking machines mar the simplicity and innocence of the story." Movie Parables' Michael Elliott writes, "What could have been an interesting and compelling examination into the nature of life and love … becomes a mediocre and maudlin sci-fi soap opera." Ted Baehr's Movieguide review claims the film "has a number of storytelling flaws … and a number of moral, philosophical and spiritual flaws." Preview's uncredited critic claims A.I. "propagates the disturbing science fiction idea that human emotions and even the soul are nothing more than electronic pulses on a microchip. While it does differentiate the emotion of love from sexual sensations, it misses the true source of love. And while man creates robots in his image, man's Creator is ignored."
Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only.
If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.
1 of 6
E-mail
Print
Post
Subscribe to Christianity Today magazine today!
