Get Low

Get Low is the type of movie that Hollywood has forgotten how to make. Producer Dean Zanuck spent the better part of eight years knocking on every door in Hollywood. He said he was turned down by every major studio at least three times. Period American pieces for adult audiences featuring primarily older actors are a tough sell. But, because of his persistence, Zanuck found the funding and the means to make this film a reality. Zanuck has made an outstanding and authentic American film. This is what filmmaking should be about.

Get Low is based on a true story which occurred during the depression in the 1930s. Felix (Bush) Breazeale, a backwoods Tennessee recluse, had a funeral party before his death. It was a national sensation featured in Life Magazine, and over 10,000 people came to the funeral party.

Get Low is a poetic story which combines elements of comedy, tragedy and drama. The film was directed by first-time director Aaron Schnider, who also wrote the screenplay. Schnider is known as a cinematographer, and it shows on every frame in this film. Get Low is beautifully photographed and exudes Southern atmosphere.

Of course the acting is nothing short of brilliant. America’s greatest character actor, Robert Duvall, plays the hermit, Felix Bush. Bush decides it is time to get low so he heads to town looking to plan his own funeral before he dies. The catch is he wants to be there in attendance so he can hear others telling stories about what they’ve heard about him. Bush apparently has a rather clouded past and is a rather eccentric character. Is he a harmless old man or a threat?

Frank Quinn is portrayed by Bill Murray, who is the local undertaker in need of business. Apparently no one in town has been dying. Quinn is more than willing to help Bush out, especially when he sees a huge wad of cash. Quinn’s assistant, Buddy Robinson portrayed by Lucas Black, is more interested in the reason why someone would want to do this in the first place. He seeks answers. Why would Bush choose a life of solitude away from the world for over 40 years?

Adding to the mystery is Bush’s old flame, the widow, Mattie Darrow, portrayed by Sissy Spacek. Apparently, she knew Bush before his days of solitude. The one man who can unravel the mystery is the Reverend Charley Jackson (Bill Cobbs). He knows the truth and the history behind the events that changed Bush’s life.

The question is does Bush really want to hear what people have to say about him or does he have another motive? To increase the excitement and interest of the funeral party, Bush will give up his prime virgin land at his death, in a lottery in which each participant will put up five bucks to enter.

Get Low is so much more than a movie about a tough old man who is trying to come to terms with his own mortality. This is a spiritual film, a quest to reveal dark secrets and to seek release from past sins and guilt. At its heart are redemption and reconciliation. Sometimes we just don’t feel that we have the right to seek forgiveness so we make our own prison. These are the complex issues that fuel Get Low.

Robert Duvall has always had a special place in his heart for films like Get Low. In fact, you can say it’s his trademark. He has a deep respect for rural people and traditional values. You can see it in his past body of work, such as The Apostle, Secondhand Lions, and Lonesome Dove.

One actor that I hope more people recognize is Bill Cobbs. He’s been in the business for over 35 years but often doesn’t receive the recognition he deserves. Get Low debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival and was acquired by Sony Classics. It grossed over $9 million at the box office. Obviously, there is an audience for films like Get Low. If you are looking for a film from the heart that’s truthful about life and the need for forgiveness and God’s redemptive power, then I wholeheartedly recommend Get Low.

Look for it on DVD. It is currently available and not too hard to find.

Chariots of Fire

This month, we are screening the 1981 film Chariots of Fires at Friday Night Flicks. It had occurred to me that I have never written an official review of this film. I consider Chariots of Fire to be one of the best films from the 1980s. It certainly is the best example of how a faith message can be incorporated into a mainstream film. In fact, if you want to see a portrayal of a Christian who reflects the nature and character of Christ, you will find no better example than the character of Eric Liddell.


From the opening scene, Chariots of Fire invokes deep emotions that have captivated audiences for over 30 years. It certainly captivates me as we watch the British national track and field team training for the upcoming 1924 Olympics to be held in Paris, France. The scene evokes the sense of optimism, hope and victory as each team member is running on the beach in unison.

They are all running for different reasons—God, country, King, national pride. The question is “in what order”. The heart of the story is about two very different people. Harold Abrams (Ben Cross) is an English Jew who is looking to overcome prejudice and find acceptance in the English hierarchy. He enrolls in Cambridge University and sees running as a way to achieve his goals. Eric Liddell, a Scotsman, (Ian Charleson) is the son of missionaries to China. He is a man of conviction and states “I believe that God made me for a purpose. But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure.” Liddell believes running will give him the opportunity to bring glory to God and an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel. Both men are on a collision course as they train and prepare for the Olympics. It’s clear that their motives, reasons and methods are radically different. But their destinies are linked.

Chariots of Fire is based on a true story. The part of the story that shocked the world was Eric Liddell’s refusal to run in the 100 meter heat because the event fell on the Sabbath. He faced enormous pressure from his country, including the Prince of Wales and future King of England. His refusal set off a firestorm of criticism. Is God first or is your country first? Is national pride more important than your integrity and beliefs.

The questions that Chariots of Fire pose are just as relevant and timeless today. What defines Eric Liddell is an important question. He is not being self-centered nor is he arrogant in his faith. I believe the movie does an excellent job depicting the character as a man who is defined by his faith. If you separate his beliefs and integrity from who he is, he would not have the strength or the will to win the race.

Harold Abrams, the son of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania, is also fighting his own battles. He faces enormous odds in discovering his identity and purpose. Abrams is trying to run his race. But what is the source of his power. Liddell asks the question, where does the power come from to see the race to the end. It is the central question of Chariots of Fire. Two very different men. Two very different belief systems. Each will have to find the source of that power in order to fulfill their destinies.

I find it hard to believe that a movie that depicts such powerful and compelling Judeo Christian beliefs could ever have been produced, yet alone win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Chariots of Fire was a surprise winner at the 1981 Academy Awards beating out films such as Reds, On Golden Pond and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Over the years, the film has received a fair amount of criticism for being the worst film receiving the Academy Award for Best Picture. But this small, low-budget British film is worthy of all of it’s critical acclaim. I just don’t see the critic’s beef. You have to wonder if they just don’t like the movie’s central theme and message.

Bottom line. if you haven’t seen this film or if you’ve seen it multiple times, Chariots of Fire will inspire you and provide a perspective and insight on how you can see your race to the end.

Main Characters

Eric Liddell

Ben Cross

Lord Andrew Lindsay

Jenny Liddell

Themes

Faith

Acceptance

Testing

Pride

Purpose

Scriptures

I Samuel 2:30

Isaiah 40:31

I Corinthians 9:24-25

II Timothy 4:7

Awards

1981 Academy Award for Best Picture

Discussion Questions

1.      How are Eric Liddell’s and Harold Abrams’ motives, reasons, and methods different from each other?

2.      How do we run the straight race and see the run to the end?

3.      How does Eric Liddell present a balanced view of Christianity?

4.      Where does the power come from to run the straight race?

5.      How does Chariots of Fire deal with class hierarchy?

6.      How do we deal with enormous pressure to compromise our core beliefs?

7.      What is your favorite scene in the movie and why?

8.      What are the questions Jenny raises about Eric’s commitment to his faith?

9.      Why does Harold Abrams feel persecuted?

10.      How does Eric Liddell bring glory to God?

11.      Are we made for a purpose?

12.      What emotions does Chariots of Fire evoke?

13.      Can we serve national pride and God at the same time?

14.      What values does Chariots of Fire teach us?

15.      How does this film define success as well as winning?