Christianity Today

So, we put our heads together to come up with the 10 Most Redeeming Films of 2005, and what a diverse list it is. Our second annual such list includes everything from brutal boxing to wheelchair rugby. Everything from exorcists to terrorists. Everything from a mysterious caped crusader with a penchant for justice, to a wide-eyed young boy with a heart for compassion. And a talking lion.

What do we mean by "redeeming" films? They're all stories of redemption—sometimes blatantly, sometimes less so. Several of them literally have a character that represents a redeemer. And with some of them, the redemption thread is buried beneath the surface; you might have to look a bit harder for it, but it's most certainly there. Some of them are "feel-good" movies that leave a smile on your face; some might leave you with more of a contemplative frown, asking, "How should I process that?"

See for yourself in the list below, which we present in reverse order, with the No. 1 movie at the bottom. (Just imagine the drum roll in your head and play along, OK?)

10. Cinderella Man

The story of real-life Depression era boxer James Braddock, who literally went from the soup lines to the world championship, is more than just another story about someone who overcame tremendous odds. It's a story of family and friendship, of goodness and faith. Braddock, played marvelously by Russell Crowe, is portrayed as a God-fearing man of integrity who is madly in love with his wife and kids. It's a story that illustrates the power of truly knowing what you're fighting for. Crowe and Paul Giamatti, who plays Braddock's manager and best friend, both turn in Oscar-worthy performances.
(Our full review.)

9. Batman Begins

Yes, there's a marvelous tale of redemption amid all that darkness—starting with the Dark Knight himself. It's a story of how, even in the face of awful things happening in a broken world, you can channel your anger and sorry into something very good. As a young boy, Bruce Wayne had seen both of his parents gunned down by a thug in a back alley. As an adult, Bruce turned his anger into a relentless pursuit of justice—instead of vengeance, and there's a significant difference. Before his death, Thomas Wayne had asked his young son, "Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up." Lesson learned.
(Our full review.)

8. Murderball

When this movies starts, we see handicapped athletes; by the time the credits roll, we just see athletes. "Quadriplegic rugby" is the topic of this rough, hard-edged MTV documentary, a story about the rivalry between several athletes and the former teammate who now coaches the other side. The men in the spotlight have inspiring stories of willpower, courage, and hope; the story is funny, suspenseful, dramatic, and above all, human. There is even some acknowledgement of God's grace as one of the athletes survives multiple trauma, and we watch a victim's anger transformed into a compelling passion.

7. Crash

Paul Haggis, who wrote the screenplay for the award-winning Million Dollar Baby, wrote and directed Crash, a film exploring the consequences—some obvious, some subtle—of racism. But it's much more than that. It's about the way in which we withdraw from society, keeping with people who make us comfortable, and judging everyone else—reminding us that we're all capable of ugly behavior. The film ultimately illustrates realistic change in people's lives—not miraculous turnarounds, but those first little baby steps toward a new attitude. Few films last year provoked so many rewarding conversations in communities, churches and on campuses.
(Our full review.)

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