Well – we took the kids to see Bridge to Terabithia today and I expected a reasonably exciting, Narnia-esque fantasy adventure. What I got instead was a brutally powerful, emotional story that left me trying to catch my breath when I left.
Now – I am a sucker for emotional movies but don’t tell anyone because I have to keep up my he-man macho persona. There is so much depth to this film which explores the friendship between two middle school kids (guy and girl). I was so completely caught off guard by how emotional the movie was that it is hard even now to recall some of the details.
It really is hard to review this film since I never read the book (which I will be reading). I will simply say you should see the film because it touches on some incredible themes and emotions and you will leave the theatre better for the experience if not a little drained.
Favorite quote:
At one point in the story main character Leslie has just been to church (maybe for the first time) and remarks that her friend Jess and his sister May Belle have to believe in Jesus but don’t like the story of his death and resurrection. Then she says "I don’t have to believe it and I think it’s beautiful".
I think this quote illustrates some of the baggage (our own and other’s expectations) we bring with us when we are brought to Christ, whether we like it or not, as opposed to the insight of one who encounters Him as if by accident. Leslie can see the beauty of Christ’s sacrifice because it is presented to her unadorned by family expectations, tradition, and cultural bias…she is simply a young girl recognizing the significance of sacrifice and resurrection.
Powerful movie.
Harnessing Chaos 
Wow, I can\’t believe you\’ve never read that book! It\’s a classic of middle adolescence. Likewise, I cannot imagine what it would be like going to see that movie without any preknowledge of the story. That must have been one heck of a surprise!
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Er, I meant to say it\’s a classic of middle childhood not adolescence. Oops.
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Yeah – it was a pretty major shock! I think I might have actually grieved through the last part of the film. Very effective directing for Gabor Csupo, who had previously only directed The Wild Thornberries and Rugrats episodes.
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