OPINION:
“Harold and the Purple Crayon” doodles up some laughs. It also draws us in to ponder spiritual questions about life, purpose and more. “The Firing Squad” truly shows how God can transform us into new creatures — and how His love can sustain us even in our darkest moments. Considering the heavy content about domestic violence and sensuality in “It Ends with Us”, it’s not necessarily a film you’d want to watch for entertainment.
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At the core of this story, Crockett Johnson’s “Harold and the Purple Crayon” is about the many ways Harold uses his imagination to create his world, seemingly from scratch. And Carlos Saldanha’s live-action depiction of that story throws a little existential crisis in the mix.
OK, it’s not that dramatic. But I certainly didn’t expect to see a grown-up version of Harold longing to meet his creator to ask what the meaning of his life is.
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If “Harold” wasn’t a comedy intended for children, it could have gone even deeper into those very spiritual themes. Instead, like the first scribble on paper, it brushes the broad strokes to the beginning of a spiritual conversation that families will have to use their own imaginations to complete.
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And “broad strokes” may be a good way to describe some of the other elements of this film, too: violent content can get dangerous but never results in anything more than little bit of blood. And while adults will pick up on the double entendre present, they’ll probably go over a child’s head. (A pride flag briefly glimpsed in the background should also be noted again here, too, an image that is gone as soon as it appears.) So while some minor content issues pop up and should be noted, there’s little here that feels truly objectionable.
Ultimately, “Harold and the Purple Crayon” is a fun, if slightly strange, story. Its positive messages may resonate well with families. And the story’s spiritual undercurrents could provide Christian parents with an easy opportunity to talk with their children about finding our Creator, too.
Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.
“The Firing Squad” is based on true events. In 2015, the Indonesian government executed eight prisoners for drug smuggling. But before they died, all eight came to Christ. And they went out singing praises to God.
Those events are reflected here (albeit through mostly fictional characters). And Christian audiences will be moved by the courage Peter, Lynbrook and their friend, Samuel, display even as they’re marched to their deaths.
Each man admits he had to lose his life before he could find it again in Christ. Each man is ready and willing to face the punishment for his crimes here on Earth. And each of them finds peace in the Holy Spirit, taking on the attitude of Christ even as they face death.
“The Firing Squad” truly shows how God can transform us into new creatures — and how His love can sustain us even in the worst of circumstances.
That said, families with younger children may want to exercise some caution. The themes here can be heavy — especially the scenes involving the firing squads. We don’t see any bloodshed onscreen, but the lead-up to these executions is intense and could be upsetting for more sensitive viewers.
But if you have older teens who are prepared for these tough topics, you’ll find a film that dramatically demonstrates faith in action. Characters in the movie ask why anyone would believe in a God who would allow a man to be put to death. But the response is clear: Because the joy and peace we find in Jesus Christ surpasses all earthly things. And better to lose one’s life for Christ than to live a single day without Him.
Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.
“It Ends with Us” should probably come with a trigger warning for victims of domestic abuse—or even children of those victims. This is not an easy film to watch. The themes are sympathetic but incredibly heavy. And viewers who perhaps thought this film was a light romcom should beware: It is anything but.
We witness violence against women at the hands of their spouses. A teenage boy also becomes a victim. And the film explores why one woman chooses to stay with her husband while another struggles with the decision to leave.
“It Ends with Us” is also incredibly sensual. There’s no nudity, and sex is left largely offscreen. But passionate buildups leave little to the imagination, including some flashbacks to a teenager’s first sexual experience.
Language is perhaps the last big hurdle here. We hear a smattering of profanities across the board, including several uses of the s-word.
Some potential viewers may be interested in what this film has to say about domestic violence. You or someone you know may be searching for answers to the questions I listed at the beginning of this review. But readers, I would urge caution. “It Ends with Us” doesn’t explore this topic from a Christian perspective. The answers you’re looking for probably won’t be found in this film or the book it’s based on.
And considering the film’s heavy content (both in terms of violence and in sensuality), it’s not even necessarily a film you’d want to watch for entertainment purposes.
If you or someone you know would like to speak with a counselor, call 1-800-A-FAMILY or visit here.
For more resources about abusive relationships, visit here.
Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.
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Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate, and impact the culture in which they live. Through our reviews, articles and discussions, we hope to spark intellectual thought, spiritual growth and a desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Reviews written by Emily Tsaio and Kennedy Unthank.