The 31 Best Films I Saw in 2011 takes a look at a film that covers a serious issue. This film takes a look at the culture war between Christians and pretty much anyone who doesn't share their beliefs or ideals. A 2008 documentary from an evangelical Christian tried to get to the bottom of this divide. While his intentions are good, there are some flaws in his film. Yet, the message of this film is one that is poignant despite the informal manner its proposed in.
The Best I Saw in 2011: Dan Merchant's Lord, Save Us from Your Followers
Dan Merchant takes a look at the grand crevice preventing Christians and people of various lifestyles/non-believers from finding common ground to stand together on. Donning a jumpsuit littered with different bumper stickers, he entices people walking by for their opinions on the rhetoric presented on them. These scenes, while serving as segues in between segments, offer genuine candid moments missing in other documentaries.
The interview subjects include, but aren't limited to, the likes of Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church, Al Franken, Michael Reagan, and Dr. John Perkins. These figures are often viewed as being on extremes, yet are shown in a moderate stance. The film features clips and soundbites from Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Ann Coulter, Bill Maher, Jerry Falwell, Lewis Black, and Monty Python. These particular people are used in a way that adds light to the message of the film.
Merchant's message is that Christians need to stop distancing themselves from people because of the their lifestyle or set of beliefs. They need to get out of their isolation and see more of what's happening in the world around them. Nowhere is this more evident in the game show segment that has Christians squaring off against atheists/liberals, and the subsequent dominance on display by the non-Christians. This shows what Bill Maher has been saying for years: Atheists know more about religion than the people who believe it.
The Review
While there seems to be sincerity on the part of Merchant, there doesn't seem to be much some of the people he interviews. The films puts Rick Warren on a pedestal as an exemplary Christian yet many criticized Warren having spent millions on supporting Proposition 8. There is an interview with the founder of Battlecry, a youth group, that held a gathering in San Francisco and was faced with protests from the homosexual culture of that city. Sister Mary Timothy, a cross-dresser and was a counter-protestor to Battlecry, made an stirring condemnation of “the other side” sending it children to counter their protest as a cheap tactic.
Merchant does maintain a care-free nature about him that keeps anyone from taking this film seriously. This is a dire matter that is happening in our country when you have militant members of both sides taking venomous shots at each other with moderates in the crossfire. While many will not speak highly of Michael Moore, he does know when to take things absent of humor and when to take things in humor. Had Merchant taken up this strategy for himself, the film would have more of a punch to its message.
Overall, this film will likely not change many minds. This film will only bring superficial changes. There will still be the “Us vs. Them” mentality plaguing Christianity today. They will still hate the sinner and the sin. All from the lacking resonance the film has.
Conclusion
While this film does have a good message, it does present it in a softball manner without digging deep into the issue. The film's choice of interview subjects and tone don't add much weight. This is the film's flaw: it comes off as not being earnest in its subject, which is what is so badly needed to be.
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