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Farmiga's Film Acts as an Honest Portrayal of Process

posted 13 years ago by landonlynch1
16 replies | jump to latest

As a general statement, Hollywood's portrayal of people of faith, especially the Christian faith, has been agenda-ridden to say the least. No doubt, Christianity in the United States has provided a deep well of potential stories for the critically minded filmmaker. A phenomena I have always found interesting is how the most radical, judgmental, bigoted religious individuals tend to be the loudest and thus are viewed as the spokespeople for their faction. Understandably, these very charismatic individuals are easier to make films out of. But then again, since when was good filmmaking supposed to be easy? In Higher Ground Vera Farmiga takes the propensity for questioning, the skepticism toward a system driven by sound bytes, and the honest pursuit of truth that is the story of Carolyn Briggs and portrays it with grace and great intentionality.
The film is peppered with many comical moments, but then so it religion. A common critique of religion is how it makes taboo many of life's pleasures and necessities and refuses to have a sense of humor about the searching that must occur when trying to comprehend its mysticism. Higher Ground does neither. It actually addresses the way religion makes sexual acts taboo through humor when Corinne's close friend, Anika, encourages her to begin drawing her husband's penis for him to spice up their lovemaking. The question of speaking in tongues is also not off the agenda as Corinne wrestles with that as well.
I believe that Christian or not, viewers will appreciate the conflict in the story as Farmiga's character begins to deal with the larger, more daunting questions for religion, such as, "A cliche religious phrase doesn't give me comfort when their is deep pain and loss. Is there something more to this system than having the right answer? What do I do when these religious slogans seem to be just one more way of avoiding tough questions? Where is God in all of this?"
Normally, this is the point in the movie where the main character has this sudden realization that everything in Christianity is just a grand facade, that they have been a fool for believing it, they allow themselves to be enlightened, and all of the people of faith in the movie are shown for the unintelligent fools that they are. Farmiga's adaptation is quite different. Corinne allows herself to process. Ultimately she does have to break away from the system she has been a part of, but not as a damnation of the system, as a perspective-giving separation. Multiple scenes in the movie depict Corinne caught in a moment of enlightenment and simultaneously longing for the church (the community and the system) from which she came. Even her final speech as she leaves the church for the last time is gracious and complimentary towards the individuals in the church who have cared for her and who she admires.
I would highly recommend this film to the religious individual or the so-called "seeker." In Farmiga's depiction and Briggs' personal narrative both will find an inviting place to honestly engage questions of faith and spirituality.

[–] ChocolateFrankenstein 13 years ago

Thank you, that was a very diplomatic review.

"Beauty is the means which we use to measure our own vanity."

[–] tlsnyder42-1 13 years ago

Does the movie focus on Bible study, studying and following God's Word written? There's no real Christian faith without it.

[–] landonlynch1 13 years ago

Sometimes I find myself asking questions because I'm genuinely interested in the answer and learning something, and other times I find myself asking questions that are more about me telling someone who I am than learning about who they are. Sadly, I hear the tone of the latter in your post.

Following God's written Word in Jesus' discussion of his parables would be to get to know the one who is telling the parable through the wrestling with how the words Jesus is speaking rub up against the life I am living.

In this way, I think that Farmiga's film does focus on study because good study is nothing more than asking honest questions, allowing oneself to see life as a whole and one's own life for what they are--calling them what they are and pointing out gaps and more questions--refusing to conceals one's doubt under a mask of certainty and dogma, and pursuing answers until they are found (Matt 7). An honest portrayal of process and trusting God to reveal himself when I push in with my doubts are about as focused a depiction of following God's word as I've seen.

[–] fyo_films 13 years ago

I think what those questions were getting at is the notion of criticizing the tenants of a religion (the taboos and rules and what have you) without actually studying the core text. A lot of movies that deal with Christianity are only really dealing with the way some Christians handle the content of the religion, but these stories often pretend to be saying something about the faith journey as a whole. Does that make sense?

I think it's a legitimate concern for a practicing Christian to wonder if a movie examining his/her religion deals with the details of Biblical study and an appreciation for what the Bible actually is and does. The Bible and its ideas are the core of the religion, not any particular Christians.

That said, I haven't seen the movie or even read a good synopsis, so I have no idea what it actually does. The trailer would indicate to me that the things I find most valuable about the Christian experience aren't included or at least aren't central to this movie.

Everybody runs.

[–] fortunate1 13 years ago

That said, I haven't seen the movie or even read a good synopsis, so I have no idea what it actually does. The trailer would indicate to me that the things I find most valuable about the Christian experience aren't included or at least aren't central to this movie.

You sound as if you're scared of what this film might do to you and your beliefs, fyo -and you really needn't be. I won't go into its bona fides here (funny how apt that term is in this instance!), but I can tell you with some firmness that neither a good synopsis nor a trailer will convey the totality of the movie to you. It's a subtle piece of art and a sincere one; the only way you're going to be able to meet it on its own terms is to sit in a theater and watch it from beginning to end. I suspect you'll ultimately find it compelling.

That said, the word you wanted was "tenets" [of a religion], not "tenants."

[–] fyo_films 13 years ago

Ah, I suspected I wasn't spelling that right.

I'm not particularly frightened of the movie. All I was saying is that I'm not at this point particularly interested in seeing it, as I don't know why exactly I NEED to be seeing it. I haven't gotten the impression that it's going to contain much material that either surprises me or challenges me - and I'm perfectly fine with being wrong, but I haven't heard anything yet that makes me interested in checking it out.

I've seen plenty of movies that deal with Christianity (this one in particular gives me vibes of The Apostle) that haven't really tackled the sum total of what goes into the practicing of a religion. Some of them have been good, even great movies on their own terms, but I've sort of grown weary of seeing my religion "analyzed" in such a simple way. As a commentary on Christianity (as opposed to a commentary on Christians) most of them have fallen short.

So, apathy would be closer to describing my feelings on this movie than fear. My beliefs are strong enough to where it would take considerably more than a movie to tear them down. As for the practitioners of the religion, I doubt this movie is going to show me anything I haven't seen as far as people who are asking the wrong or right questions of Christianity.

Your response could have described a shocking number of movies I've seen (and a fair few that I've seen and disliked). Why should I go out of my way to see THIS one?

Everybody runs.

[–] toribjork10 11 years ago

You're trying very hard to appear like an intellectual Christian, like studying a bronze age book written by shepherds for vague nuggets of applicable wisdom is somehow noble and wise. Between Noah's arc, Jonas, Babel, and talking snakes with magic apples.... I just can't with you people. The "Christian experience " is, in the end, rejection of facts and embracing personal emotion. Willful ignorance is nothing to respect.

[–] Ithilfaen 10 years ago

Your response could have described a shocking number of movies I've seen (and a fair few that I've seen and disliked). Why should I go out of my way to see THIS one?

Because you can't be told what a movie is. Or a book. Or even what it's about. You have to experience for yourself.
If you are not because you are worried that it won't be a Bible study, then I guess you should give up on movies altogether.

The movie, just like the book it was adapted from, is about someone's struggle with her faith. It's not meant to convert anyone, or even to dissuade anyone from their faith and while it does present certain arguments (not in any way argumentative) as to the separation that can exist between faith and religion, it's not a movie that is critical of religion, in general or specifically Christianity. It's someone's own struggle with her faith. If you watch it, you'll find things you can relate to, others not, but at its core it's not trying to be all-encompassing or scholarly about religion or even faith.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] Breakout_Hitter 12 years ago

The Bible and its ideas are the core of the religion, not any particular Christians.

I'm curious because I don't know, are there quotes directly from Jesus in the bible that say the bible is the core of the religion? I know he referenced them in a few chapters when defending himself and his views, but does he actually say that reading the bible is the single most important thing a Christian can do? If so, can you recommend the chapters?

Thanks.

[–] theverymany 13 years ago

I really want to see this movie. I love Dagmara Dominczyk so she's a reason why I'd like to see the movie.

[–] mikeyflatley 13 years ago

will be disappointed tho...not da best character

I live, I love, I slay, and I'm content

[–] bart-229 12 years ago

Even if we grant that claim, which is by no means universally held, the most one could say is that Bible study is necessary but not sufficient for Christian faith, a means but not an end in itself. Many other things are important, and you should know that, with respect, the Protestant Reformation--which is where, I sense, your comment originates--is not the last or only word in Christianity. Indeed, for most of Christian history there was no such thing as Protestantism, and for much of church history people were largely illiterate, making Bible study for individuals problematic. Not to mention the fact that Bibles were rare and expensive handmade things before the advent of the printing press in Europe in the 15th century. Were those people unable to undertake Bible study not truly Christian? Bible study is important, surely, but it is not the only thing that is. Indeed, we can infer from the parable of the last judgment that it is works, not right belief or bible study, that is central ("When did we do those things?" the sheep and goats ask, implying that they did not know what they did when they fed the hungry and clothed the naked, or failed to do those things.). And the importance of Christian sacraments cannot be overstated. Indeed, in the early faith of the church faith was based on the Eucharist, not the other way round. As Prosper of Aquitaine wrote, "the rule of belief is founded on the rule of prayer" (for "prayer" read "worship").

[–] rzajac 12 years ago

Interestingly, Bible study/scripture citation *is* part of the brocade of the messy narrative.

And I do mean "messy" in the best sense of that word.

[–] ilovetati 13 years ago

Don't be so paranoid. Hollywood isn't out to get Christianity, but the latter seems to think that every time a hyporisy is pointed out through art.

I wouldn't have it any other way...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIH6xzL0QBI

[–] Breakout_Hitter 12 years ago

Ummmm... I think the loud mouthed fundamentalist have made themselves a target through their insensitivity. As a result, 95% of Christians in TV and movies are portrayed as being at least a little bent. Which is too bad because we're throwing the baby out with the bathwater. God is real, but he is not the mean prick the fundamentalists want us to believe.

[–] dancemacabre 10 years ago

Well, to me doubting the faith is a process where faith is trying to reach on higher level. Struggle of faith is what is naturaly and is good for deeper understanding of faith and deeper searching for answers what faith may bring on higher ground as title of the movie. Dealing with doubt isn't proof that faith is illusion as atheist may suggest, ut's personal struggle which may be good. One who can deal with doubt and overcome all doubt could be deeper undestanding of faith. And even some saint of the Catholic church have doubt, they didn't become atheist, they become deeper in knowledge of God and some of them became mystics.

God Exist and Jeus is the true Son of God.