What Dreams May Come

 I remember the trailers for this movie ten years ago, and thinking that it looked like an intriguing depiction of 'heaven'.  And visually, it definitely has some things going for it in this respect.  It's an artist's movie in terms of visual aesthetics.  While some of it seems visually interesting merely for the sake of interest, other aspects of it are genuinely beautiful - even if most of it is computer graphics. 

It's the story of soul mates separated by death not only temporally but potentially eternally, and the refusal to accept that separation.  It's heavy on syrupy sentimentality, but what else do you expect from a movie about soul mates?  I like Robin Williams in dramatic roles, where the twitch of a grin or the twinkle of an eye can bring to mind more manic antics that have been his hallmark in the past. 

Theologically, it's thoroughly 20th century America.  We all go to heaven when we die - unless we commit suicide.  There is no judgment factor in where we end up, it's simply a reflection of whether or not we went with the natural flow of things, or subverted that order and therefore are caught up in a destructive cycle wherein the suicide themselves is the one keeping them in hell.

God is about as pervasive in the afterlife as he is on earth.  He's "up there, somewhere, shouting down that he loves us".  But, most people aren't really paying attention or caring.  Heaven is individualized, and we're free to create it however we like.  The people we love will be there.  It will be beautiful and amazing. 

Of course, this isn't very Biblical.  The idea that God can be ignored in heaven as he is on earth makes me wonder what the point of him even existing is, if we have to take care of everything for ourselves in the afterlife, just like on earth.  We can still be haunted by guilt in the afterlife.  We can still find ourselves bound up in the painful emotions of wanting to be accepted and trying to please the important people in our lives, even after we're all dead.  In many respects, this heaven seems a lot like hell ought to be.  But the scenery is prettier, and our dogs are there. 

I'd say it was disappointing, but that would mean I had hopes it wouldn't be.  It was a visually interesting movie with very little thought behind the story that seemed almost a thin excuse for a group of artists to create some very impressive scenes.  I don't pretend that, to greater or lesser degrees, it probably mirrors what many people just assume about heaven.  It's just depressing to realize that in the afterlife, as in this life, people are most concerned about themselves. 

I don't know much about what heaven will be like.  But I'm fairly certain that it will be a celebration of the God who created, redeemed, and sustained me, rather than a self-indulgent narcissist-fest.  At least, I hope so.
 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
  • No trackbacks exist for this post.
Comments
  • No comments exist for this post.
Leave a comment

Submitted comments are subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Name

 Email (will not be published)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.