Good Times with The Good Lie

Last updated on: October 29, 2014 at 12:06 pm by Faithful Democrats

Good Times with The Good Lie 2014-10-29T12:06:45-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

If I’m going to review The Good Lie, I should start with a truth – I was crying at the end of this film. So was my wife.

The Good Lie stars Reese Witherspoon and tells the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan who survived civil war and a decade in a refugee camp to come to America. We watched last weekend not expecting much as this genre of good-doer films often seems overly simple and unrealistic. Instead, we were left feeling a connection with so many characters maturing in real ways to solve problems without some Deus ex Machina. Perhaps the best part of the film came from the eventual – and not the obvious — heroin. Instead, compassion, patience and love lead to harmony and opening one’s doors to the stranger.

The Good Lie subtlety inserts faith and focus on God’s love without smashing it over the viewer’s head. I appreciated scenes crossing a river while being chased by enemies, praying for a lost friend and aiding a hungry homeless woman illuminates a progression of God’s mercy and kindness and not simply being told what is right. The adaptation of the Word in war-torn Africa was also smartly used.

The Good Lie is a beautiful film in cinematography, showcasing great contrast between Africa’s amazing color and a cold, flat winter in Kansas City. The story is also one filled with emotional conflict to complicated war-torn problems because of ongoing ambivalent immigration policies the United States has failed to solidify. The film puts faces to those caught between failed politics, and reaffirms the good Christian families can do by opening their doors.

That’s why I’ve signed up to raise awareness about The Good Lie and demonstrate support for Peace in Sudan this week.

If you’re looking for a good film to reaffirm the power of God and faith in real-life decisions, and be moved by the actions of our fellow brothers and sisters in difficult situations, you too, will be taken in by the Sudanese Lost Boys and The Good Lie.

The ending is absolutely worthy sticking around for, and the greatest surprise was that the main actors playing the Sudanese are related to who lost their lives, or were former Sudanese child soldiers themselves. We understood how they could deliver such an amazing performance after knowing their connections. The film comes out Oct. 23, and supporting films such as The Good Lie are important because if movie studios see interest and strong bottom lines for projects with great plot, values and good works, they’ll keep making them.

On Wednesday, I’m going to participate in a Thunderclap, and don’t worry if you don’t know what it is. I didn’t either. But the idea is pretty cool. It is a platform that organizations use to pledge a Tweet or Facebook post about a particular message to be release at the exact same time. Think of it as flash mob for social media. The idea is to get talking about this incredible movie so that it starts trending and gets out to a wider audience. If you participate, Thunderclap will automatically post a message like this at 1 p.m. this Wednesday Oct. 1. “Join me in watching #TheGoodLie this October and supporting peace in #SouthSudan http://thndr.it/1qgKN75

Joseph Gidjunis is the former Director of the Young Democrats of America Faith & Values Initiative and an award-winning photojournalist who owns JPG Photography in Philadelphia. He serves as a remote fellow for Eleison. He is married with two wonderful dogs.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

August 4, 2014

Redistricting: A Faith Issue?

Next Post

October 29, 2014 Raise the Wage

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In what parable does a father run to greet his lost son?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The Lost Sheep The Rich Man and Lazarus The Two Sons The Prodigal Son