The Truth about Movies and Les Miserables -- Fr Barron Reflects

I don’t usually go to movies to be entertained; instead, I go to engage with truth, beauty, and goodness. I find that movies often allow the voice of God to break into my soul in a way that no other medium can. Movies to me are like living icons – windows to God and truth.

As such, I have little regard or appreciation for the common kind of analysis that movie critics provide (with a few exceptions). For instance, I agree with the critics that There Be Dragons really didn’t work well as a movie. Frankly, I don’t care much about the trivia related to why it didn’t work. However, I think that all Catholics should see it. Why? Because in this movie we are presented with the opportunity to, in some small way, peer into the heart of a saint.

So my criterion for whether or not a movie should be seen relates more to its devotional value, and less to its cinematography, acting, or other qualities. That said, I do recognize that these latter elements can significantly enhance a films devotional value.

Here’s what I want to know: can the movie draw me closer to the heart of Christ and therefore conform me more and more to Him? Can it shape my mind and perception in a way that helps me to “bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”? Can it help me to love what God loves, hate what God hates, and see our existence more clearly through His eyes? Does it help me to see what He sees? It is in this spirit that I wholeheartedly recommend Les Misérables.

As with most truths that are profoundly important, Fr. Robert Barron is exemplary in his explication. I will leave you with his insightful reflections on this movie which should be seen and pondered by every person who desires to more fully understand what it means to live and love within the redemptive grace of God.

If you have you seen the movie and it has in some way helped you to better understand grace and redemption or the torment of law without grace, I would like to hear about your experience and reflections.

This post was originally published by the National Catholic Register.

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Dan Burke

Dan Burke is the past President and C.O.O. of EWTN's worldwide news network. He is presently the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 90 countries and prepares men for seminary in over 40 dioceses. Dan is the author and editor of numerous books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com. In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church. Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.