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Baena: Mark Wahlberg's character is the radical Christian in the movie.

Russell: In any interview with Wahlberg, if you ask him what is the ultimate truth, he says "Jesus Christ."

So, the message you want people to walk away with after they see Huckabees is this: They need to step back from their assumptions for a moment and see a Bigger Picture. They need to whap themselves in the face with the red ball, so to speak.

Russell: You want my take on the red ball? That's prayer at its best!

Because it's about getting beyond our "certainty" and opening ourselves up to the mystery of God?

Russell [suddenly talking on his cell phone]: Mark Wahlberg, I'm sitting here with a man who writes for Christianity Today. We're talking about Jesus. Would you like to talk to him? [Russell hands me the phone.]

Mark Wahlberg: Good morning!

Good morning! We're having a conversation about I ♥ Huckabees and how that relates to things that Jesus said. They tell me that you're the guy who can talk about how Christians can appreciate the film.

Wahlberg: When David approached me about this film, I was thrilled with the idea. Then when he told me … how he wanted me to prepare for it, things he wanted me to do—like studying Buddhism—there's a lot of stuff that I was skeptical about.

But I soon learned that nobody was trying to recruit me or change my beliefs. It was just a way for everybody from every religious background to better themselves and learn more about one another, and learn more about life and love. It was beautiful. Everybody I know who has a strong religious belief—especially Catholics—love this film.

The film really focuses on the difference between two perspectives, one that says "Everything matters," and one that says "Nothing matters." Can you share with us how the ideas in the film relate to your own faith?

Wahlberg: It all comes down to Jesus. It is all about love and how we all are connected. Coming from the inner city where there wasn't much hope, where there was a lot of violence and drugs, I can relate to the other side, where it seemed like nothing was connected, nothing mattered. It was all dark and painful. I had those feelings when I strayed from my faith, got caught up in the street life, drugs, and crime … and it wasn't until I woke up in prison that I said, "Oh God, I need to straighten my life out." It was God that brought me back and put everything else in perspective.

So, Huckabees isn't trying to change anybody's beliefs; it's just inviting them to step back and explore some big ideas?

Wahlberg: I want to assure people that this movie doesn't in any way try to get them to change their faith or their beliefs. It only enforces their faith. It's all about love. It's all about Jesus.

* * *

Things feel a bit foggy as I step back out onto the sunny Seattle sidewalk, as though I've been hit in the head by an inflatable ball. I still think it's a bit of a stretch to say Huckabees is about Jesus. (See my review.)

But Russell's onto something: Our lives are a series of humbling realizations. At that very moment nearby, Mount Saint Helens erupts, reminding us of how little we really understand or control. Still, all of us—including Russell, Baena, and me—have a lot more to learn about one thing we can count on: the promises of Christ and his mysterious grace.

I catch someone giving me a funny glance. Do I really look that dazed? Then I laugh and remove my "clerical collar." I'm restored to my normal self, faith stirred, but unshaken.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

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