I would like to talk about one of the scenes in the LatRG that really stood out to me. It dealt with the question, "What does it mean to be a man?" It implied that this question is the same as, "What does it mean to be an adult." In a simple, yet profound way, I thought this particular clip in LatRG did a great job of showing the reality of what it means to be a man (or an adult), if you will.
I actually found a partial clip from the movie and will intro and outro the embedded clip with some additional dialogue that is important in finishing the thought...
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Lars: I was talking to Bianca [the real girl], and she was saying that in her culture they have these rites of passages and rituals and ceremonies. Just all kinds of things, you know, that when you do them, at least when your done, if you live through them, that you know that you’re an adult. Doesn’t that sound great?
Oliver (Lars’ brother): It does.
Oliver: You know, you should ask Dagmar [Lars’ doctor].
Lars: I did ask Dagmar, and she said that I should ask you.
Oliver: Ok, you know. I can only give you my opinion.
Lars: That’s all I want.
Oliver: Well, its not like you’re all one thing or the other, okay? There’s still a kid inside, but you grow up when you decide to do right, okay? And not what’s right for you, [but] what’s right for everybody. Even when it hurts.
Lars: Okay, like what?
Oliver: Like, you know, like, you don’t jerk people around, you know. And you don’t cheat on your woman. And you take care of your family, you know. You admit when you’re wrong, or you try to, anyways. That’s all I can think of, you know. It sounds like it’s easy and for some reason it’s not.
Lars: I know, because nothing’s easy.
Oliver: It’s like the old man. He didn’t have to take care of two kids alone. He could have given us to an orphanage or something. You know, people do that. But he loved us and he tried to do right even though he didn’t know how, and even though he had a broken heart.
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Many people have a hard time defining the difference between a man and a boy or an adult and a child. Of course there is more to it than what this dialogue shows, but I kinda like leaving it this simple - a man is someone who will...
"Do right."
UPDATE - So, it turns out my good friend, Matthew H. John, hadn't watched LatRG yet, UNTIL last night (thanks to my blog post reminding him that the movie still exists outside of the theatres). He has done the "review" thing and it is quite well said. Check it out here. Also, my other good friend, Barton Stone has some really excellent things to say about LatRG in my comment section, check it out too! - UPDATE DONE!
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6 comments:
Best post yet.
Wanna watch that movie again Tuesday night?
Miah:
I have been skimming your posts, and appreciate your thoughts.
I espcially appreciate your evident authenticity and humility. Thank you for the example and encouragement.
The Holy Spirit ministered to me through this last post, as there is always the dilemma of different types of ethics in order to 'get things done.'
I believe the old adage that says we are to (1) do the right thing, (2) in the right way, (3) at the right time.
It can get confusing and painful at times, though, I would propose.
I really appreciate your post, as it reminded me that the difference between maturity and immaturity is choosing God's way, even when it hurts and even when it is fully a step of faith.
Today, in one of my college classes, my teacher was sharing how God is not afraid of pain, because he came down as Jesus and suffered for us all. Conversely, he was and still is suffering for us all.
My teacher went on to share how a sign of maturity is willingly suffering for the sake of Christ.
This connection, for me, goes right along with your post. Thus, we are walking in God's Spirit when we are choosing to walk in Spirit and in Truth. Even when it hurts.
Thank you for sharing this post! My soul has been enriched.
Holly Heikkila
Holly,
Wow, thanks for the encouragement and great additional insight! Thanks!
haven't seen this movie...but reading this post makes me want to :)
on this subject...you should check out "Healing the Masculine Soul" by Gordon Dalbey...its dynamite...speaks to the importance of a rite of passage and how America's lost that as a culture...hmmm, could be part of why our males are becoming feminized!
Hey Miah,
I saw this movie with Drew in Korea. We both really liked it and if he were here I'm sure he would echo me saying that your thoughts on what it means (somewhat) to be a man are closer to home than one might think.
We can't just explain away our actions and not deal with consequences. Nor can we just give pat answers and expect everything to be ok. Life is complicated and sometimes doing what is right is also, but you can't ignore the simple answer that is given in LatRG.
One thing in particular I learned in South Korea is that you can't do what is right on your own. You may be able to succeed for a while, but ultimately you will fail. What I like best about LatRG is Lars' Sister-in-law, she doesn't give up on him and even brings his brother around to be able to open up to Lars in the end.
You can't live this life alone, especially if you want to DO RIGHT.
Thanks Miah for being someone that was always there if I needed it.
-Barton
Barton,
Inspiring and excellent comments! Thanks bro! We can't do it on our own, nor should we try. That's what I loved about this movie.
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