So is there anyone else out there that looks on the Rotten Tomatoes website to look at critics' reviews before they go see a movie? I do. I'm not even sure why I do anymore because a lot of the time, I don't see eye to eye with them on whether a movie is worth seeing or not...or whether a movie is especially great or especially bad. But usually, there are at least one or two critics listed with reviews that I agree with. And that makes sense. We are all different. We all see things differently. We all go to movies, read books, listen to music for different reasons and bringing different life experiences and expectations to the table. It makes sense.
So when I decided to go see the movie Meet the Mormons a few days ago, I went to the Rotten Tomatoes website to see what the critics thought. And this is what they thought: 0% recommended it. I have to admit, I thought that was kind of funny. I have never gone to look at reviews for a movie and seen a 0% of the "tomatometer." Most of the critics thought the people's stories were optimistic but felt the film was merely PR stunt done by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the critics didn't like that it didn't address some of the "controversial" issues that the church doesn't agree with the media on. Things like same-sex marriage. Granted there were only 8 reviews by critics so not very many critics have seen or made any comment on the film.
What is strange to me about those 8 critics' issues with the film is the following:
1. The Church did make this movie basically to be a PR thing. And it really professes to be nothing else. The movie website says:
"Meet the Mormons examines the very diverse lives of six devout Mormons. Filmed on location and across the globe, Meet the Mormons takes viewers on a journey into the day-to-day realities of individuals living in the U.S., Costa Rica, Nepal and beyond. From their individual passions to their daily struggles, each story paints a picture as rich and unique as the next while challenging the stereotypes that surround the Mormon faith."
The only thing the movie claims to be is the story of six diverse, devout Mormons. And it hopes to challenge stereotypes (like Mormons have lots of wives and Mormons aren't Christian) that surround the Church, not to delve into controversial beliefs.
2. The Church is not trying to hide its fundamental beliefs. Delving into Mormon doctrine wasn't the purpose of this film, according to the movie description above. However, anyone interested in knowing about the Church's beliefs about marriage, Jesus Christ, and the roles of men and women in the family and in the church can find it on the Church's websites: like this one and this one and this one. Also, in recent years, PBS and others have produced documentaries (the kind of documentaries that I assume the critics wanted this movie to be) about Mormons. One of them is called "The Mormons" and was produced by people who are not members of the Church. It talks about the history and beliefs of Mormonism and tries to show things from a non-Mormon, ex-Mormon, and devout Mormon perspective. So that kind of documentary already exists and can be viewed on the PBS website.
That being said, what did I think of the film? Well, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So the people portrayed in this film shared my religious beliefs. So am I biased? Absolutely. Did I like the film? I did. I thought the life stories shared in the film were vibrant and inspiring. Their stories made me want to be a better person because they were people that got up off of their chairs and did a lot of good--they accomplish things in their lives that I am too lazy or selfish or scared to do in my own life and I want to be better because of them. (I know people who aren't members of this Church who live similar lives and inspire me to be better. The people in this film happen to be members of my Church.) It was also filmed beautifully. I loved the gorgeous glimpses of Costa Rica and Nepal and even Atlanta, GA that I got as I watched. I didn't know that I wanted to visit Nepal until now.
Should you go see it? Sure! If you have no desire to know anything more about Mormons but you want to just see people doing good things and want to leave feeling a little happier yourself, then this is worth your time. (And all proceeds to the Red Cross.) If you are looking for a documentary that delves into the doctrine and history of the Church and addresses the beliefs and controversial issues from several different perspectives, then this film will probably frustrate you as it did the critics.
If you want to know more about Mormons, this is a positive look at the cream of the crop...I'm certainly not even close to as wonderful as the people in this film...but the best place to find out about Mormons is by checking out your local Mormon church. Attend a worship service there. Meet the Mormons in your community. You can find a church building in your area at this website.
Elin
- Who really wants to go to Nepal.....
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