Top 10 Films of 2007

Best movies both inspire and challenge

By Ed McNulty

In a year filled with strong films, I found it difficult to select the 10 that most inspire or challenge viewers. Some other films are better aesthetically (witness the critical praise for Sweeny Todd), but the following ones can lead us to explore spiritual and ethical concerns long after the screen fades to black. Several lesser-known films on the list offer a simplicity and honesty lacking in more expensive mega-hits. Here’s to good viewing — and lively discussions.

Serving God in Government: William Wilberforce rolling out his anti-slave trade petition in Amazing Grace © 2007 Walden/ Roadside Attractions

1) Amazing Grace (directed by Michael Apted; Walden Media; PG). John Newton, writer of this favorite hymn, advises young William Wilberforce that his position as a member of Parliament is exactly where he can best serve God. Wilberforce then becomes a tireless foe of the slave trade, laboring with friends for several decades before his bill abolishing the solidly entrenched practice finally passes. This inspiring true story demonstrates that we must stand for the right and persevere against all odds.

A life-changing friendship: Jessie and Leslie, who create an imaginary kingdom in Bridge to Terabithia © 2007 Buena Vista Pictures

2) Bridge to Terabithia (directed by Gabor Csupo; Walden Media; PG). Based on Presbyterian Katherine Paterson’s fine novel about friendship, sudden death and the power of imagination and love, this is the only family film on the list. Fifth-grader Jessie befriends newcomer Leslie, even though she has beat him in a race to see who is fastest in their class. They roam the fields and woods together, creating a mythical kingdom called Terabithia, a place where they have power and can conquer strange beasts representing those they confront in the real world at school. Tragedy strikes, but their transforming friendship endures.

A strange path to wholeness: a painfully shy man’s acceptance by his family, church and village in Lars and the Real Girl © 2007 MGM

3) Lars and the Real Girl (directed by Craig Gillespie; MGM; PG-13). I almost passed over this film because of the quirky plot involving the pathologically shy Lars turning to an “anatomically correct female doll” for companionship. (Lars introduces her as Bianca, a Danish/Brazilian missionary he met at a conference.) Told without mockery or condescension, the story is as inspiring as it is amusing. The acceptance of Lars and Bianca by Lars’ family, then his doctor, and ultimately his church and village leads to Lars emerging from his enslaving shell into wholeness and freedom.

The power of goodness: a member of the East German Stasi (secret police), whose spying reveals truths about himself © 2007 Sony Pictures Classics/ Hagan Keller

4) The Lives of Others (directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; Sony Pictures Classics; R). This Oscar-winning film shows the power of goodness in the least likely of circumstances. During the last years of the East German government, Secret Police Capt. Gerd Wiesler is assigned to spy on Georg Dreyman, the nation’s leading playwright, to catch him in a subversive act or word. Bugging the man’s apartment, the spy listens for hours, discovering much about Dreyman’s intimate life. The film ends with an uncharacteristic act of grace by Wiesler, which prompts a subtle and moving gesture of thanks.

Triumph of the oppressed: Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington) preparing his debate team to go up against white teams in 1930s Texas in The Great Debaters © 2007 TWC/ David Lee5) The Great Debaters (directed by Denzel Washington; The Weinstein Co.; PG-13). Set in 1935 at an all-black college in Texas, Denzel Washington’s social justice film tells the story of Melvin Tolson, a controversial poet and professor, whose radical ideas about organizing share croppers arouse the ire of the local sheriff and other white leaders. Using unorthodox teaching methods, Tolson coaches four carefully selected students so well that they become the first team to debate and win against a white team and go on to win an invitation to debate the best team in the nation — at Harvard (though actually it was the University of Southern California). It’s a powerful true story of the triumph of the oppressed.

Love overcomes prejudice: a Minnesota farmer and his German mail-order bride, who make a life together following World War I in Sweet Land © 2007 Forward Entertainment6) Sweet Land (directed by Ali Selim; 120dB Films/Libero; PG). Set in rural Minnesota two years after World War I when hatred of the Germans was still strong, this is the story of a couple’s love overcoming the prejudice of their community and pastor. When Olaf Torvik meets Inge, his mail-order bride from Norway, it comes to light that Inge is not Norwegian but German. The town’s pastor refuses to marry them, but the two vow to make a life together. When financial ruin seems imminent, divine help, delivered through the church, saves the day.

Betrayal and forgiveness: Amir, right, and Hassan, who grow up together as best friends in Afghanistan, and then are separated by Amir’s betrayal in The Kite Runner © 2007 Paramount Vantage7) The Kite Runner (directed by Marc Forster; DreamWorks SKG; PG-13). Based on Khaled Hosseini’s popular novel and set in Afghanistan and America, this film spans almost three decades. Amir, whose family belongs to the Pashtun elite, and Hassan, a Hazara servant, grow up together as friends. Then Amir betrays Hassan. Years later Amir receives a call from a family friend in Pakistan who tells him, “Now there is a way to be good again.” Although it means a dangerous trip back to his native land where the Taliban now rule, Amir sets out, with surprising results. The story reminds us that forgiveness and redemption are not just Christian themes. A discreetly filmed rape scene makes this film too intense for children, despite its focus on the two boys and colorful, symbolic kites.

Prophet of the airwaves: Don Cheadle playing radio personality Petey Green in Talk to Me © 2007 Focus Features8) Talk to Me (directed by Kasi Lemmons; Focus Features; R). A little like Good Morning, Vietnam, this fact-based story about Washington, D.C., radio personality “Petey” Greene Jr. shows that God still uses unlikely persons (remember double-dealing Jacob?). Brash and foul-mouthed, Petey is presented as a prophet of the airwaves, denouncing corruption in high places and calming the storm of rage that threatens to engulf the city in flames following the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. Petey fails to attain a national career, but the film suggests that the worth of a person’s life should be measured by criteria other than fame and wealth.

The joy of learning: Erin (Hilary Swank), whose husband (Patrick Dempsey) does not understand her call to teach at-risk students in Freedom Writers  © 2007 New Line Productions /Jaimie Trueblood10) Freedom Writers (directed by Richard LaGravenese; Paramount Pictures; PG-13). A nice variation of the inspiring teacher formula, this film tells how a teacher enticed cynical students from a tough neighborhood to emerge from their hard, protective shells and enter into the joy of learning. Based on a true story, the film shows students discovering Anne Frank and Miep Gies (the Dutch woman who helped hide Anne and her family), plus the Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights era, as good role models of courage and love.

Other worthy films

In I Am Legend Will Smith gives a fine performance as the last man alive in Manhattan following a human-induced virus plague. His persistence in seeking a cure depicts the human spirit at its finest.

I’m Not There breaks the mold of film biographies by having six different actors (including a woman and an African-American boy) play Bob Dylan. The singer/composer refused to let fans box him into a category (“folk singer,” “protest song composer,” “born-again Christian”).

Also worth seeing:

After the Wedding; Atonement; Away from Her; Blacksnake Moan; The Brave One; Charlie Wilson's War; Evan Almighty; Feast of Love; Gracie; Hairspray; In the Valley of Elah; Pan's Labyrinth; Pride; Rendition; The Simpsons Movie.

For longer reviews of these films, plus related Scripture passages and discussion questions, go to the Visual Parables site.