Submission to UNews, July 2009

Unification News Movie Reviews – July 2009

Welcome to the Unification News Movie Reviews! I look forward to leaving no stones unturned in searching for the best that the movie industry has to offer you. I will be placing an emphasis on plot and character development, and how these films can generate a positive impact on your life, as well as that of your family and community. If you have any comments, questions, or film recommendations, please don't hesitate to email us!

This month we have a double feature – one film for the entire family, and one geared more towards older teens and adults. Enjoy!

Wall-E

(2008)

Directed by Andrew Stanton

Written by Mr. Stanton and Jim Reardon

Disney/Pixar

Running Time: 1 hr, 37 min

The fate of humanity rests in the hands of two small lumps of steel with hearts of gold, in Disney and Pixar's award-winning 2008 feature film, Wall-E. This family-friendly, eco-conscious comedy follows the intergalactic adventures of a humble robot, programmed to process the trash left behind by a consumer-driven society. In fact, Wall-E is the only machine still in operation (perhaps someone forgot to switch him off?). But one fateful day, Wall-E discovers the key to restoring human life on Earth. Enter Eve – a sleek new retriever robot sent by the Axiom, the cruise liner-esque spaceship housing the remaining human population. Though initially drawn into Wall-E's life by her programmed directive, their relationship grows, and is tested as they face the challenge of bringing the human race back home.

Wall-E is a wonderful work of cinematic art. Sight, sound and story are fused together to create a captivating, beautiful world - but it is not a world we hope to become. Yet, in spite of the film's bleak post-apocalyptic circumstances, it retains a fascinating warmth, endearment and hope. So, from where does this positivity arise? From a storytelling perspective, we can suppose that the bearer of hope is Wall-E, the film's protagonist. Somehow, Wall-E is able to maintain something which the remaining humans are quickly losing – humanity. It is the humanity nestled deep within this little machine which allows the entire story to move forward.

But, what exactly is the quality of humanity? Though it can be defined in many ways, most definitions of humanity revolve around compassion and morality towards others. From a principled point of view, the quality of humanity could be defined as living for something beyond oneself. Wall-E provides an excellent illustration of such principles, as his actions, driven by his love for Eve, compel him towards goodness. And when these actions begin to interweave with the actions of the other characters (see Wall-E's interaction with the humans aboard the Axiom as an example), this sense of humanity begins to ripple outwards. Ultimately, the humans' return to their innate understanding of humanity parallels their external return to Earth, their homeland. This beautiful tale serves as a reminder that it is in re-awakening our original minds that we return home.

Some questions that families may want to discuss after watching the movie are:

1. Why do we care about Wall-E? Why do we like him, and want him to succeed?

2. How does Eve change Wall-E's life?

3. Even though this film is a work of fiction, are there any aspects which remind you of our current culture? Are they good reminders? What steps can we take to prevent Wall-E's world from becoming our future?

The Apartment

(1960)

Directed by Billy Wilder

Written by Mr. Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond

Starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray

Running Time: 2hrs, 5 min

The 1960 Oscar Winning dramedy “The Apartment” chronicles the life of a young bachelor entering the business world, who is forced to choose between maintaining his morals or getting ahead. Unfortunately, C.C. Baxter chooses the latter, lending out his humble brownstone apartment to his superiors for their extra-marital affairs in exchange for corporate advancement. But when his own romantic feelings elevate the dealings to a new realm of confusion, Baxter re-encounters his crossroads. Will he change? Or will he perpetuate the cycle of lies and greed?

Now, you might be thinking “Am I reading the right newspaper, or did this review get lost in the mail room and end up here by accident? What on earth has compelled this writer to give a favorable review of a film involving infidelity?” Rest assured, what you are reading is very much on purpose. My reasoning can be summed up in a quote from Jack Lemmon, the actor who plays Baxter, who once said that in making The Apartment, “Wilder grew a rose in a garbage pail”. Much like in Wall-E, though Baxter's initial choices create an atmosphere that seems rather hopeless, it is when Baxter loves and cares for something beyond himself that he is challenged to push beyond his shortcomings.

So how does Baxter make this remarkable transformation? While I certainly don't want to spoil the ending, let me say this: like any real life change, each of the characters' transformations are subtle and nuanced. Pay attention to the wonderful details the writers and actors give in every scene; pay particular attention to the scenes involving Dr. and Mrs. Dreyfuss, Baxter's Jewish neighbors. Wilder and Diamond utilize these characters to breathe life into a necessary plea for virtue, allowing morality to exist within the film without any outright sermonizing. And as Baxter comes to understand Dr. Dreyfuss' plea for him to become a mensch – a human being – he begins to command his life in a way that will compel you to stand up and cheer.

Some questions that you may want to keep in mind are:

1. Why does Baxter lie to his neighbors? What excuses might he give for living

2. Why does the director choose to introduce us to Ms. Kubelik the way he does, only to show her in a different light later on?

3. Listen to Ms. Kubelik's remarks about her broken mirror. What is she alluding to?

4. What doe Baxter see in Kubelik?

Though these two films are set in very different circumstances, both explore what it is that makes us truly human. And while most of us have no intentions of living the lives portrayed in either of these films, we can still see a glimmer of ourselves, in the times when we were not living at our truest. In this way, these stories serve as eloquent reminders of what can happen when we transcend those moments and allow our true nature to exist unhindered. Our original mind – our humanity – implores us to let go of what is untrue in and around us. And often, as can be seen in both films, our choosing to do so inspires others to do the same. Thus, I heartily recommend these films to you, as they prove that something beautiful can still grow from a garbage pail (or a dying planet), when we embrace the original essence of our being.