I just recently watched this film, and was touched like many others. I'm in the middle of doing some research. But I've come across several articles/posts about people criticizing Rocky or his friend for pushing a religious agenda.Or so some claim... So I thought to myself:
Would it really be a bad thing for him to turn the kids into Christianity (if that really is the case)?
Or what's really the issue ?
What am I missing here ?
I'm not religious, but obviously some of Rocky's beliefs inspired him to do great things. And at the end of the day he's passing on some good moral values to the children (wanting them to be grateful for example). Whatever his religion, he's an incredible person. It also appears that they downplayed some of the Christian aspect of it, perhaps to reach a wider audience, but it's not the focus of the film anyway. The film is about him and his love for the kids, and the emotional journey he goes on. He doesn't strike me as someone that would push his religious beliefs on his wards, but is teaching them some good moral codes to live by. Those kids flourish in his presence and in the work he does. It's a beautiful film, and I'm not someone who is moved often!!
It's too cerebral! We're trying to make a movie here, not a film!