theophiles.org - The Grey: A Story of Survival and Faith ?

The Grey: A Story of Survival and Faith ?

Written by whitemice

Tuesday, 31 January 2012 06:09

The Grey is a film about survival in the Arctic wilderness when four men are confronted by a pack of wolves. It is an intense movie with strong Christian undertones, but its powerful qualities are undermined somewhat by oft-used expletives. In addition, the presence of some frightening scenes featuring wolves may prompt parents to keep their children home for this film.

Is it really? Does any reference to religion in a movie mean it is religiously significant? Are religious references in movies over-played by the religious media?

Comments

patronpeter - Christian, really?

|2012-02-18 21:16:46

My two cents is that The Grey is not a Christian movie with any positive religious undertones. Of all the men, the one with no children and no wife survives til' the end... nearly. He bears no fruit for the world, loses his wife and resigns himself to solitude amongst criminals and vagabonds. He walks toward a hunting ground, not away from it, no sign from a God above that he's walking to his death, and to the deaths of all those around him. The men who love their wives and children are killed in horrific ways. As for the scene where he asks God for a sign - he receives nothing, and says quote, "F*** it. I'll do it myself." He then proceeds to do what he has to in order to survive, instead of waiting for help from someone he realizes isn't listening, if he's there at all.

laika - re: Christian, really?

|2012-02-19 13:29:29

Sounds like patronpeter has actually seen the movie. Thanks for your synopsis.

I heard the scene of the guy asking for a sign in a radio review, and I must say that I got the impression of what you describe.

whitemice - re: Christian, really?

|2012-02-21 07:22:50

I saw the movie (before creating this article). And then bumped into a reference to it on a Christian website. I was pretty baffled.

I share patronpeter's response.

In a previous scene one of the other men talks about their survival and being destined to survive, etc... (around the camp fire) which is the scene the Christian website referred to.

Which raised my question about any-reference-to-religion making something "religious". Are Christians just far too eager to see themselves portrayed in mass-media?

Gripe: why is "religion" and "destiny" always coupled in pop-culture. Is that the only way Hollywood understands religion; as a belief in the divine-puppeteer. Once a character says "this was *meant* to happen" then BAM! that is the religious/spiritual person. As a religious person I just want to stand up and scream: "I've walked away from car accidents, burning buildings, and walked out of the ER... and I don't invoke the concept of divine providence"

On the other hand when some random guy asks for divine intervention / a miracle... I don't think it is un-religious for him not to get one. I could easily picture and angel standing behind him on that river bank, glancing down, and saying "Dude, seriously?"

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Last Updated on Thursday, 02 February 2012 18:24

Our valuable member whitemice has been with us since Thursday, 10 September 2009.

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