Tweet

EMAIL

PRINT

Comments (0)

Related articles and links |  1 of 5

Stay, illusion! If thou hast any sound, or use of voice,
Speak to me: If there be any good thing to be done,
That may to thee do ease and grace to me …
—Horatio to the Ghost in Hamlet

For almost as long as people have built campfires, ghost stories have teased us with ideas about life after death. The greatest artists have wrestled with their fear and curiosity by giving shape to their afterlife imaginings, whether inspiring or terrible.

Shakespeare's famous ghost, Hamlet's murdered father, is one of the most haunting phantoms in all of literature, with his tales of hellish torment and his appeal to Hamlet for justice and vengeance. Movies frequently echo this episode—in The Devil's Backbone, a murdered child appeared to some orphans, leading them to avenge a horrible wrong. I found the film to be one of those rare ghost stories that rises above simple tricks and surprises to become a profound work of art. The ghost became a symbol of war's innocent casualties, those who are ignored by powerful clashing armies and then left behind, forgotten, devastated, with no one to avenge them.

But finding a meaningful ghost story is a challenge. Most cinematic spook-stories recall another Shakespeare line—"A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Most are so sloppily told that some Christian film critics go so far as to ignore or condemn any movie in which heroes come into contact with ghosts.

I'd like to hear from you: Has a movie about ghosts or the afterlife ever been a rewarding experience for you? If so, which one, and why? Do you think any of these supernatural expeditions offer real insight, encouragement or comfort? Or is this subject a dead-end? Are ghost stories off-limits for Christians? Write me here.

This week, three new releases offer stories dealing with death, the desire to overcome it, and the suffering of those left behind.

In Message in a Bottle, Kevin Costner mailed letters to his dead wife by tossing them into the ocean. This week, in Dragonfly, Costner plays Joe, whose dead wife takes the initiative in maintaining contact. To cope with unexplainable signs and events, Joe seeks the help of a nun (Linda Hunt) and receives some counsel. The movie has critics scoffing. And the counsel Joe receives has given religious press critics a collective furrowed brow.

Nevertheless, the movie opened successfully. Clearly, film buffs are still eager for stories about contact with the dead, perhaps seeking assurance that death will reveal design and meaning in life. Perhaps September 11 still has enough hold on our minds and hearts that many are still seeking answers and insight. Beliefnet's interview with Dragonfly's director Tom Shadyac contains more interesting and provocative ideas than the film itself. Shadyac, a professing Christian, discusses how he believes movies offer promising possibilities for exploring tough spiritual questions.

Dragonfly has won a few fans, including Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat of Trinity Church Wall Street's Spirituality and Health. They argue, "Although there have been a handful of afterlife dramas proclaiming that love is stronger than death, this is one of the best. Dragonfly beautifully conveys how great gifts can be hidden in death and how they can bear fruit in our lives if we only have the patience and the faith to let them unfold."

Similarly, Holly McClure (Crosswalk) affirms "the inspiring and miraculous message of hope and faith represented within the story. Dragonfly is the kind of movie that will stimulate discussion, leaving audiences asking questions and searching for their own answers."

next page... |  1 of 5

February (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46