Two of the girls and I went to see this movie starring Tom Hanks tonight. I thought it was great. The movie has been out for a while (still in theaters), and it got mixed reviews. Some people thought the plot was too unbelievable or that the sentimentality was too contrived. However, I think Tom Hanks’ acting and the character he played totally overcame any weakness in the plot. Tom Hanks is just a good actor. In this movie, he plays a “man without a country”–or at least a man unable to return to his country. And Hanks’ character Victor is a good guy. He submits to authority, even unreasonable and stupid authority. He finds legal honest ways to support himself. He makes friends. And he only lies in order to help a man who’s in trouble, not to get himself out of his own predicament.
I wish I could say the same for Victor’s love interest who’s played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Amelia is a stewardess who calls herself “poison to men.” and at least she’s got that right. Victor deserves better.
The movie was funny and thoroughly enjoyable. If the script writers had left out the few obligatory off-color remarks, it could be suitable for the whole family.
Hello. Newbie on your blog here.
You posted, “And he only lies in order to help a man who’s in trouble, not to get himself out of his own predicament.”
Bouncing in thought,
Is it really lying if it’s not done with the intent of evil or are all untruths considered lies regardless?
I believe a lie is a lie is a lie. However, sometimes, a lie, in this fallen world, is the lesser of two evils. The classic case is: would you lie to the Nazi police when they came to ask if you were hiding Jews in your home? Of course, you lie–and do as good a job of acting as you can. Then, you ask forgiveness and hope you were successful in misleading the evil-doers. The case in the movie is not as clear-cut, but it does seem to be a matter of life and death.