Lisa and I watched this interesting, disturbing movie starring Viggo Mortensen the other evening. It’s the story of a small-town business owner with a dark past. He’s a simple, peaceful man who loves his wife and kids. When he’s robbed and threatened with the gunpoint rape of one of his waitresses, he saves the day and ends up a hesitant hero for his small town. But his fame and acclaim bring parts of his past to light, and the act of violence (see the myth of violent redemption) awakens within him dark parts he thought long dead.
This movie is interesting, not as an exploration of the effects of violence on the victims, but for the exploration of the effects of violence on the perpetrators. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more anti-violence violent movie. It clearly shows that those who aren’t willing to be peaceful will never know peace. It demonstrates with careful, subtle strokes that when someone perpetrates violence, the shalom (peace, wholeness) all around them is broken, both within and without. As a warning, though, it’s definitely an adult movie exploring adult themes. Not kid-friendly.
Is there redemption in the movie? Yes. At the end, in slow, halting steps, a very realistic redemption plays itself out through the hands of a child.
Anyone who is further interested in exploring the Myth of Redemptive Violence (which, incidentally, is more deeply saturated into the fabric of our culture than most people would think – fairy tales, hero stories, most movies, etc.) should definitely check out the writings of John D. Roth, an accomplished Mennonite scholar. A highly recommended work of his, purchased for me by Andrew, is “Choosing Against War – A Christian Perspective.” Very interesting.