Comments on: The Movie First Reformed Unpacked and Explained

By: Jérémie

Jérémie — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 07:50:50 +0000

Good movie, but not the one you should watch if you want to take a break from the news and escape today’s world.
One of the lessons of the movie is perhaps that we should not withdraw into ourself and let ourself get fixated on one problem. Basically, take a break from the news and escape today’s world. Enjoy the time with the ones you love.

My main issue with the movie is that it is not clear what Toller wanted to accomplish with his actions. It seemed like an awful and very ineffective way to fight for his cause.
Also the evolution of his relationship with Mary is very cliché.

Otherwise,
I liked the profoundness of some dialogues, which is a rare quality.
I liked the use of purple (nebula, sky), which, I guess, is symbolic.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 12:37:29 +0000

Wow, what a powerful movie. So much so that I tossed it in the suggestion box before searching to see if it was here. I should have known better! I thought it was newer since I get a weekly watch list in my email from the NYT every weekend and this was listed for Prime. Anyway, that was so not the ending I expected and the levitation scene kind of jolts you out of the contemplation of the rest of the film but I think the mix of styles was definitely to the benefit of this film. I thought for sure he would blow up himself and the “evil doers” in the church. But then comes Mary and the story changes. This is not an attack on Christianity by any means. I think to be religious in this time, you have to parse out the things you believe in and then get rid of the rest. I know for myself, I grapple with my beliefs as well. I was raised in the Church receiving all my sacraments but there are also many things I take issue with. Toller took issue with his church being subsidized by a man also destroying the earth and when you mix that with despair, bad health and alcoholism, it could certainly be a deadly mix. He also took issue with the ideas of some of the youth group which were extreme right views such as the kid who was mad he couldn’t disparage Muslims. His feelings were not wrong about the environment and the youth but still extreme. I found Mary bringing him back from the brink at the end more powerful than him blowing up the church.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 12:26:58 +0000

In reply to Andrew. I just came from reading that article myself because I wasn’t aware there was a post here about this film. I found it shocking somewhat that the film barreled in one direction and then all of a sudden the appearance of Mary stops him in his tracks. While I agree the article expounds a lot further, the film does abruptly end when they kiss. I did enjoy reading about the other similar films, though.

By: Keane

Keane — Thu, 07 May 2020 05:08:54 +0000

Hmu on my email , let’s talk .

By: Taylor Holmes

Taylor Holmes — Thu, 07 May 2020 03:16:11 +0000

In reply to Keane.

eh?
Did you even read this post? I mean, beyond the opening sentence. Which you misconstrued to my not liking the movie? It feels like an attack on Christianity? How? My hatred for God? WHAT?!?

Let me say this again. I gave this movie a 4.5 out of 5. A near perfect movie in my mind. And theologically, it opened up really really interesting complications and interesting conversations. Why is it that its the Christians that are threatened by theological honesty? Just really fascinating.

I’ll say this again – I am a Christ follower that is so fully in love with the creator of the universe that everything else is a distant second. But do I think the Church is perfect? Or even untouchable? Uh no. Have you heard of the Crusades? The Catholic church’s problems with pedophaelia? Yeah, absolutely not. But to watch someone struggle authentically – to attempt to truly grapple with the reality of our flawed existence in the face of walking on this spiritual journey called life – is a nigh on holy experience. YES! IT WAS A GOOD MOVIE! NO, IT WAS A GREAT MOVIE! Just unbelievable.

Heck, I see myself in Ethan’s character. I’m torn. I am unshaken on my faith in a Perfect God. A God that has provided a way for me, for my forgiveness in spite of the fact that I screwed up today even. A lot. Regularly. I’m a mess. And yet He loves me. He has forgiven me. Wow. And I see this movie really wrangling with these deep, painful, and profound questions. Faith is complicated. And if you see it black and whites, you aren’t looking at the same world I’m looking at.

Keane, yes. you are right. it was a good movie… which is what I said. My apologies if that wasn’t clear.

By: Keane

Keane — Thu, 07 May 2020 02:54:04 +0000

It feels that this was more of an attack on Christianity than an actual review . Your hatred for God and his people doesn’t surprise me. It’s just a case of total depravity we are all born with, which you must be born again. Anyways dude , chill . It was a Good movie

By: Mary K

Mary K — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 00:13:27 +0000

Mary told Reverend Toller that she was the one who brought her husband to church, that in strange cities she sought out churches. This is one of those interesting culture observations that is echoed in Carol Howard Merritt’s book, “Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation.” Men don’t typically go to church unless their women (or in more liberal churches, their men) encourage them to attend.

At the end of the movie, Mary calls Reverend Toller by his first name, Ernst, which made me think the endings could go either way: the sad one, being called home (welcomed by his intimate name, not his title) or the hopeful one of someone who has the spiritual depth to hold him grounded.

My devotional is focused on Mother Theresa this month, who spent most of her life in despair. “There is so much contradiction in my soul. Such deep longing for God—so deep that it is painful–a suffering continual–and yet not wanted by God–repulsed–empty–no faith–no love–no zeal. . . . Heaven means nothing—to me it looks like an empty place.” But then she accepted it. “I have come to love the darkness. For I believe now that it is a part, a very, very small part of Jesus’ darkness and pain on earth.”

I will have to watch this movie again. That’s the power of great movie—how long the characters and the emotions remain with you long after the movie is done.

By: Taylor Holmes

Taylor Holmes — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 22:52:12 +0000

In reply to Kate.

Woah woah woah…
I’m not just a church goer – I’m a full tilt Christian. And I am in no way, shape or form, a Trump supporter. Heck I’m seriously considering handing in my Republican party membership, I’m so disdainful of what Trump is doing to the Grand Old Party. In saying “Trumpian Churchgoer” I was identifying a very distinct Christian-subculture. A subculture that has circled the wagons and been thinking about money, safety, and security, above the widow, the orphan, and the impoverished. Now, if THAT is offensive, I’m ok with that. But I definitely was not saying all church goers were Trump fans. Because at the very least, I am not one. And apparently you aren’t either. So there, there’s two of us at least.

taylor

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 22:44:36 +0000

Trumpian Christian Churchgoer? Why would you say that? As if to say ALL Christians are Trump supporters…the two are not synonymous. Way to stereotype and label people, humans are multifaceted and not flat, unlike your writing.