Movie Critique Assignment
Nathan Jones
PACO 630: Gerontology and Counseling
May 2024
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Shadowlands Overview
The film Shadowlands is about C.S. Lewis meeting Joy, marrying her, and then losing her
to cancer. The movie begins by painting a biographical portrait of C.S. Lewis. It captures his
time and status as an Oxford professor, there are numerous references to his Narnia books, and it
shows him as a rather contended individual. Then Joy, his would-be-wife, shows up (seemingly)
out of nowhere. She is a fan of C.S. Lewis (Jack) but only intends to interact with him and
eventually introduce her son (a big fan) to him. Jack realizes he enjoys Joy very much; Joy needs
a fresh start after leaving her drunkard husband, so she settles into England via marriage to Jack.
However, it is only a legal right. Eventually, Jack realizes he loves her and wants to marry her
before God and enjoy their relationship as husband and wife. The tragedy is that Joy suffers from
a cancer diagnosis. After a stint in the hospital, it seems she has made significant progress in
recovery -but she is on an inevitable timeline for the return of the cancer.
Nature of the Death/Loss Portrayed
There are many conversations had about her approaching death between Jack and Joy.
Eventually, Joy dies. This wrecks Jack more than he had anticipated. He told her while she was
alive, “I’ll manage.” But he barely hangs on as he is overwhelmed with grief. His friends
surround him, and his brother prods him on, even pointing to the need for Douglas (Joy’s son and
Jack’s stepson) for a comforting fatherly figure. Jack comes to the point of processing his loss
and unites with Douglas in their suffering, but the experience changes him. He recognized that
there was a necessary connection between the pain they would feel in her loss and the joy they
shared when they were together.
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Symptoms of the Survivor/s
The loss of Joy resulted in Jack’s manifested isolation, angry outbursts at his friends,
withdrawal from his brother, bouts of crying, and not knowing what to do with Douglas. He
never doubted the existence of God, but at one point uttered, “Does He care?” The movie sets up
Jack’s psyche well, quoting his famous line, “Pain is God’s megaphone to a deaf world.” Only to
reveal how Jack was struck with pain -not realizing what he was supposed to hear from Heaven.
Anthony Hopkins did well in portraying a man torn down by grief, but it was not easy to watch.
Steps Taken to Deal with Issues in the Movie
Negatively, Jack either withdrew from or argued pessimistically with his friends about
how he was to handle the grief. His brother was always by his side through it, even getting to the
point of sternly reprimanding Jack. This was a positive way of handling it. Jack listened to his
brother, who helped him realize his grief was not his own; Douglas was suffering, too. Jack was
in the best position to comfort Douglas, and when he did, it helped Jack process his emotions.
Suggestions for a Better Resolution of the Issues Presented
Jack appeared to have a good support network of friends and a good relationship with his
brother. However, according to the film, his friends did not seem ready to walk together through
difficult times in life. Perhaps the plot/reality of Jack’s friend group could have more depth in
their connections and be a great support during his grief.
Lesson Learned
Reflecting on the story, it becomes apparent that even brilliant and spiritually mature
individuals can be taken entirely off-guard in dealing with loss. Intellectual preparation, or
~
Oy?
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having some academic grasp of pain, suffering, and Christian theology, is not the same as being
bulwarked against the pain when it comes.
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Braveheart Overview
Braveheart is a historical fiction motion picture in which Mel Gibson plays the
protagonist, William Wallace. W. Wallace is a Scottish warrior who leads several successive
battles against England to secure freedom for his people. But his impetus was not solely based on
the desire for independence. Wallace secretly marries a woman he loves (Murron) so that the
abusive authority of the English would now abuse her. Nevertheless, a group of English Soldiers
arrive, harass and assault many of the townsfolk where Wallace and his new bride lived. She
would have been a victim, but Wallace saved her. He thought they were free, but he was wrong.
His new wife was captured and executed to make a point to the Scotts. This destroyed Wallace,
comforting him with grief and rage. This spark led him to instantly revolt and churn into a well-
organized and formidable rebellion against the King. In the end, Wallace dies for his vision of a
freed Scotland.
Nature of the Death/Loss Portrayed
The nature of the loss depicted is of a man, newlywed, losing his wife. Not to cancer or
accident but malicious, unwarranted execution. Wallace had every expectation that he would live
with his wife, for he married her secretly, was a capable defender, and saved her from imminent
danger. He realized his efforts to protect her were in vain; the cruelty of the English was already
on him and his people, but now it had gone as far as taking his wife. It was an overwhelming loss
that led to rage and despair.
Symptoms of the Survivor/s
The symptoms that immediately presented were rage and a desire for revenge. Wallace
did not sulk and grieve upon seeing his wife killed; he became enraged and attacked those
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responsible for her death. Second to his rage was deep grief and bouts of isolation. Throughout
the rest of the film, Wallace is surrounded by men he loves and trusts, but it seems he wants no
company immediately following his wife’s death. He buried her in secret and did not indicate
any desire to process the loss with friends or family.
Steps Taken to Deal with Issues in the Movie
Wallace was an actual historical figure who led a rebellion against the English. But since
Braveheart is Mel Gibson’s interpretation, he relies heavily on a mixture of violent justice and
revenge to fill the gaping hole created by the loss of Murron. It is satisfying to see the perpetrator
meet their violent end for causing such a cruel injustice. Wallace grieves his loss, but it appears
the way he understands it and makes sense of it is to attach that loss to a cause for freedom.
Perhaps he was always supposed to fight for freedom; he was never meant to settle down.
Wallace’s cause appeared to be freedom; losing his wife made him realize that. Pursuing that
freedom helped him fill his loss with purpose.
Suggestions for a Better Resolution of the Issues Presented
Fighting for freedom and seeking violent revenge/justice has its place as an entertaining
and inspiring movie. However, apart from the entire plot, what Wallace could have done to
resolve his issue better is to consider a spiritual dimension to his relationship and purpose.
Wallace was a religious individual, but religion was an afterthought for Wallace. Looking for
hope within the Church, from priests, or the Scriptures (Wallace was highly educated) would
have been a better place to start. He did not give himself enough time to grieve, whether in
private or in the community; grief takes time to process. Rather than move onto actionable
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resolution (war), Wallace should have slowed down, taken time, and pursued his professed
religion to resolve his presenting issues of rage and isolation.
Lesson Learned
This narrative reveals a few things: (1) a sense of loss and grief seems magnified if one is
lured into the false assumption that they have a way to maintain relationships. For instance,
Wallace’s secrecy and warrior skills could be likened to a couple’s good health and financial
status. Neither guarantees protection from loss. If loss is experienced, it may have a more jarring
effect on the individual. (2) Some folk’s religion is only skin deep and does not serve to interpret
loss or provide hope. Wallace was religious, but it was a source of comfort or hope. (3) Loss can
be a part of a bigger picture in someone’s life. Losing a spouse would seem to be the most
significant thing/focus in the surviving spouse’s life, but that may not be the case. Wallace was
invested in a gritty war, a personal vendetta, and a tradition. His wife was the most significant
piece of his life’s puzzle, but it isn’t something that can be addressed in isolation from these
other essential events in his life.
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A Man Called Otto Overview
The film A Man Called Otto is based on Fredrik Backman’s novel A Man Called Ove.
Otto suffers significant loss. First, he lost his wife, and second, his age has made him feel (in
legitimate ways) pushed out of society. The opening scenes depict his attempt to end his own
life, only to have his attempt stalled by new neighbors. Otto is an older widower living alone and
is portrayed as grumpy, obstinate, and frustrated by everyone. To make it worse, he believes (to
some merit) that he is experiencing ageism in the form of mistreatment.1 At work. He is being
replaced by a younger manager, who has trained himself. His attempt to end his life is
interrupted by a neighboring family. They endear themselves to Otto by demonstrating a need
for his help and a vested interest in him. Otto becomes attached to this family, other neighbors,
and friends. His resolution to end his life in misery becomes an endeavor to live it fully, connect
with others, investing in his new friends.
Nature of the Death/Loss Portrayed
Otto’s life is shaped by tragedy and loss. Early into his marriage, he and his wife were
involved in an accident that made his pregnant wife miscarry their unborn child and leave her
paralyzed from the waist down. Later on, Otto loses his wife to cancer. The film’s plot picks up
months after Otto’s wife dies. Everything that gave Otto purpose, joy, and meaning was bound
up in his marriage. Before he met his wife, he viewed his life as insignificant and lacking
joy/meaning. His wife provided so much for him, and it sent him spiraling when that was taken
away.
Symptoms of the Survivor/s
1 Regula Robnett and Walter Chop, Gerontology for the Health Care Professionals. Burlington, MA: Jones
& Bartlett Learning, 2018, 30.
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The immediate presenting symptoms would appear to be irritability and even hostility.
Otto presents as a grumpy man ready to judge everyone as inferior to him or his ideas. This leads
to him living a very isolated life. He cuts people out of his life that were once a part of his life.
His isolation is compounded when he begins to feel what appears to be ageism, getting pushed
out of his company into early retirement. Some of his anger seems justified, but then it becomes
clear that it is a first-layer symptom. Otto is utterly depressed and suicidal. Likely, the rage and
brashness are a defensive cover for dealing with his despondence, isolation, and depression.
Steps Taken to Deal with Issues in the Movie
The immediate steps Otto takes to resolve his depression are to become angry, push
people away, and sever any relational ties. It is as if he is scared of any further emotional
investment that could (and he might expect to) end in loss and more hurt. His solution is not to
have any emotional vulnerability as with his marriage. Eventually, Otto becomes calmly fixated
on ending his perceived miserable life as he calmly rationalizes his motives, makes a plan, and
secures the means to end his life.
Thankfully, Otto was not alone. The steps to deal with his issues were primarily taken by
someone other than himself. His neighbor, Marisol, and her family befriended Otto in profound
ways. Her open heart and community-driven culture of being a good neighbor would not allow
Otto to live a life of isolation. Marisol was a kind neighbor to him and expressed a need for
Otto’s help and subsequent gratitude. This made Otto feel valued and seen. An emotional
connection was somewhat forced upon Otto, though slowly and imperfectly, radically changed
him positively.
Suggestions for a Better Resolution of the Issues Presented
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It is readily discernable that Otto had too much invested in his wife. Not that he should
not be wholly invested in his wife, but that he had no category for living life apart from his
marriage. Job’s perspective, “naked I came into this world and naked I will depart” (Job 1:21,
ESV), was not shared by Otto. However, counseling must do more than analyze the past.
Something that would have been greatly helpful to Otto as he began to process his feelings about
losing his wife would be a grief group. It might seem trite, but grief groups, especially ones
designed for widows and widowers, provide communal context to process grief with folks who
are essentially emotional peers. Otto either lacked or cut off every emotional attachment, which
propelled his anger and isolation. Getting into a group, despite what techniques are employed,
would have been a great help to him early on in his grieving process.
Lesson Learned
From A Man Called Otto, I learned two things. (1) Folks that present grumpy, belligerent,
and judgmental may only be a guise from some deeper issues. Furthermore, someone who is
grumpy, belligerent, and judgmental may not enjoy being that way. It’s easy to presume that
people are grumpy because they want to be, but as with Otto, it is sometimes a faulty coping
mechanism. (2) Sometimes, neighborly kindness needs to be thrust upon others. Marisol,
uncharacteristically of Western norms, was forward in her expression of hospitality and need.
She came off as nosey and needy; this is not an American ideal. However, her behavior was just
a (different) cultural expression of her heart as a good neighbor. While consent is essential in
every manner, it cannot be an easy stop-investing trigger. It wasn’t for Marisol but suitable for
Otto’s sake.
Bibliography
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A Man Called Otto. Directed by Marc Foster. Artistic Films & Big Indie Pictures, 2022. Sony
Picture, 2022.
Braveheart. Directed by Mel Gibson. Icon Productions, 1995. Paramount Pictures, 1995.
Robnett, Regula and Walter Chop, Gerontology for the Health Care Professionals. Burlington,
MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2018.
Shadowlands. Directed by Richard Attenborough. Price Entertainment, 1993.
