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Reviews
The Other Side of Heaven (2001)
a well-made film
Considering that this movie was neither made by, nor endorsed by, the LDS church, The Other Side of Heaven is an endearing, uplifting movie that celebrates and pays respect to Mormon missionaries without going too deep into LDS philosophy or beliefs. Produced in part by the same producer who brought us such cinematic gems as Schindler's List and Jurassic Park, Heaven is refreshingly devoid of many "blockbuster"-style elements and is a very low-key presentation of a young man's struggle to survive, adapt, and succeed in a world far far away from his familiar hometown in Idaho.
In the early 1950's Elder John Groberg from Idaho Falls accepts a call to serve a three-year LDS mission to Tonga. Although he is thrilled and dedicated to his mission call, he is understandably concerned about leaving Jean, the love of his life, in Utah for fear that she will marry somebody else. Yet his faith and determination to do what he believes is right are shown throughout this movie as his motivation to stay through the hardships, the loneliness, and the difficulties that are faced during his mission.
The Other Side of Heaven is essentially a chronicle of Elder Groberg's true life mission. At times spiritual, humorous, frightening, and uplifting, the movie is a tribute to a young man who faced overwhelming odds and setbacks to continually overcome some of the most difficult situations ever beset a young missionary. Throughout the film, Elder Groberg's letters to Jean and her letters back to him keep the film centered on it's true message, that of a man out of place . . . loving where he is, but wishing at the same time, to be home with the others that he loves. And it is this internal struggle which, I am sure, has been faced by every other missionary in history, that gives the movie its depth and emotional quality.
My only criticism of the movie comes from the very brief explanation of the traditions and culture surrounding LDS missionaries and the way in which they receive their calls. For those who are familiar with LDS missions, this should be no problem, but for those viewers who have not been exposed to the process of a Mormon mission, the first 15 or 20 minutes may seem a bit confusing. There is another bit of Mormon tradition which is very poorly explained, but I can't tell you what it is without giving away a fairly poignant moment of the film's ending.
Nevertheless, The Other Side of Heaven is not just a Mormon movie. It is a movie that can be enjoyed and appreciated by people of all faiths (and even those of no faith). Because in the final analysis, this is a movie about the triumph of the spirit and the joys and rewards of fighting for, and doing something, you truly believe in.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Stunning
Ever since 1937, when J.R.R. Tolkein, by publishing The Hobbit, unknowingly created the genre of the Epic Fantasy, readers have been thrilled with the incredibly detailed adventures of the denizens of Middle-Earth. Populated with creatures both big and small, evil and good, heroic and cowardly, the realm of the Lord of the Rings saga has enchanted millions of people around the world. And now it is time for millions of movie-goers around the world to be equally as enchanted.
For years, studios and fans alike have dreamed of the day when this tale could be adequately adapted to the silver screen. However, despite two so-so cartoons, and one absolutely horrible cartoon, this has never happened.
Until now.
Finally, movie technology has caught up with the imagination of J.R.R. Tolkein. Driven by the boundless imagination and creativity of director Peter Jackson (The Frighteners), the new movie The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring is a beautiful piece of film making.
Staying lovingly faithful to the story without being a slave to it, Jackson has recreated Middle-Earth with such detail and realism that the viewer is transported without question or doubt into the world of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and orcs. From the peaceful roll of the hillside of Hobbiton and the Shire, to the so-beautiful-it-hurts forests of the elves, to the dank and sweaty caverns of the orcs and the horrifying realm of Sauron, the dark lord, Peter Jackson doesn't miss a detail. The challenge of making a fantasy world look real has left many similar movies feeling cheesy and fake. But not here. So much time, effort, and love for the subject matter has gone into this world, that the audience is treated to a realism and quality that has never before been seen in this type of film. Not even the wonderful work of George Lucas in the Star Wars films comes close to the quality of Fellowship of the Ring.
But, the movie doesn't stop there. Against the amazing backdrop created for Middle-Earth, is a group of actors which have inhabited their characters to such a depth that they become, not actors playing a role, but the actual character. We don't see Elijah Wood computer-enhanced-to-look-little-while-wearing-furry-feet-and-funny-ears, we see Frodo Baggins, the Hobbit who reluctantly accepts his role as the bearer of the ring which must be destroyed to save all of Middle-Earth. Likewise with all of the other characters, Gandalf, Boromir, Aragorn, Galadriel, Arwen, Samwise and the others are all played with a quality of acting that is rarely seen in fantasy films.
Although the basic plot of the saga is simple: Frodo and his companions must destroy the ring of power before the evil lord Sauron gets a hold of it and overruns Middle-Earth with his army of orcs and other assorted nasties ~ the true beauty of this story is in the details. The fear and doubts of Frodo, the jealousy and power struggles among the races and among the companions all combine to provide a wonderfully twisting ride along a fairly predictable course.
And the movie is the same. Peter Jackson shows the tension and the excitement of battle, the fear of the chase, the desperation to save a life, and the absolute terror of the minions of evil who are hunting Frodo, with such skill and grace that you can't help but be tired after watching this movie. It grabs, pulls you in, and puts you through the wringer along with the heroes of the film.
Despite the fact that this is an incredible movie, it is not for young kids. The PG-13 rating is pushing it and could have easily justified an R rating. It is violent, it is frightening, and parents should be careful before taking any young children to see it.
All in all, though, I loved this movie. Jackson stays faithful enough to the original story to satisfy all but the most rabid of fans, yet departs from the story when it is necessary to create a more understandable and more enjoyable movie. The only bad part: we have to wait another year for the second part of the saga to be released.
It's going to be a long year.