A Story of Betrayal and Healing

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In languid prose, Maugham tells the story of Walter and Kitty Fane in cholera-beaten China. The novel begins with their marital rift (named Charlie) and takes the couple on a journey through harsh conditions and isolation while each decides what to do with a broken heart.

I flew through this book because of its fascinating dialogue. I felt the author created very accurate scenes of tension, passion, hatred, and remorse. As bonus, the literary reference to Goldsmith's poem takes the reader to a deeper understanding of Walter's anguish.

On the flip side, the story itself was unsatisfying. Kitty's ending resolve did not seem serious...or at least not as serious as one would expect after such a dramatic experience. Her character does not invite sympathy but rather pity. In short, you don't root for her.

Having seen the film adaptation, I must comment on its comparison here. I felt the film's plotline adjustments improved the story and rounded the characters. The ending of the film was also a solid punch in the face of Kitty's past, which brought much more resolution and closure.

So...I enjoyed the novel's dialogue, but I prefer the film's storyline.

View all my reviews

Proving the Ark

The Discovery of Noah's Ark

Recently, Mark and I watched a 1993 documentary of what was believed to be Noah's Ark found in modern-day Turkey. It was narrated and written by G. Edward Griffin with the discovery and promotion of the site credited mainly to two men: Ron Wyatt and David Fasold.

Watched without biased or further research, the film was incredibly convincing. It explained how the site met all the 'requirements' to be the Ark of Genesis. It also showed how the mountain (near the famed Ararat) had been considered the landing place of Noah's structure by ancient residents. The researchers also brought in instruments to test for metal samples in the soil. All in all, it was an interesting film and gave a good argument for the Durupinar Site. (This website outlines much of what the film presented.)

However, afterward I was curious as to why this had not gotten further publicity and researched the finding further. Of course, I was surprised to see it almost immediately challenged and discredited. This essay outlines the faulty and doubtful arguments and explains how David Fasold actually denied his initial claims to this site as the actual ark of Noah. Fasold found Wyatt even to be outlandish, and the essay documents what other Christian discoveries Ron Wyatt claimed to make (including a DNA sample of Jesus).

There are a few things I took away from this experience. First, I'm amazed at how zealous some are to prove the Bible--to the point of fabricating the discovery of Noah's Ark. Granted, most of the false findings were probably motivated by greed and a lust for fame. Still, many Christians get excited--for the wrong reasons--whenever another claim of the ark arises in the media. It's as if our faith is suddenly justified. But who wants that kind of faith? Isn't faith, by definition, "the conviction of things not seen"? Shouldn't we trust the Bible's accuracy regardless of whether or not archeology proves all its written history?

Second, I'm reminded of how one man's offensive behavior can cause a widespread negative impression of Christianity. Even if the Durupinar Site truly held the fossilized remains of Noah's Ark, Wyatt's association with it would immediately discredit it. His erroneous and wild claims are appalling in the least. His intentions are unknown, but if he was trying to bring together science and faith, the results of his work may have done more damage than good.

His Weakness in Country Strong

Country Strong--starring one of my favorite actresses, Gwyneth Paltrow--may seem to glorify and justify extramarital relationships on the surface, but its core truth is the unity and support needed in a marriage.

The movie begins with James Canter taking his wife Kelly out of an alcholic rehab center early so she can start touring again as a popular country singer. Immediately, viewers can tell that he is pushing her career more than her recovery. As the plot progresses, James has clear signs that Kelly is having an affair with her young friend, Beau, but James doesn't step in to interfere because he sees that Beau is actually helping to steady Kelly toward a successful return to fame. Over and over, Kelly reaches out for her husband, but he is only willing to embrace and support her when she shows herself "strong"--giving him a glimpse of the steady woman he married. He is unwilling to accept her in her broken state, but rather keeps pushing her to the stage to reclaim the image he remembers.

This movie shows the greatest weakness in a husband. James abandons his wife in exchange for his own dream. He disregards her need for him, denies her the love and encouragement for which she desperately longs, and pretends to care for her when he actually only cares for her success (which would ultimately be his success since he is her manager). If asked, he may have argued that he was doing what he thought best for his wife; however, he never stops to ask her what she herself wants.

At the end of the film, viewers see that Kelly finally realizes her position in his eyes. She knows that he will keep pushing her toward publicity despite her resistance and keep drawing back from her emotional needs. She realizes she is trapped and seeks the only method she trusts for freedom.

This film is powerful because it challenges ambition instead of glorifying it. It shows the strength in a sad, torn woman and the weakness in a driven, hard man.

Black and White with Tears

No one warned me that I'd need to bring tissues to see The Help. Reading the novel, which was amazing, did not churn me to tears, but seeing the same story on the screen brought the civil rights struggle right into that theater in Seoul, Korea. I could feel the tension, the frustration, the resistance, and the fighting. In myself, I felt the bitter seed growing just like in Aibileen--refusing to accept the "separate but equal" slogan of that era.

This will probably be my favorite film of the year. It was an excellent adaptation of the novel by Kathryn Stockett. Of course, some changes were necessary for the transfer to film, but the story's themes and characters were portrayed well, the acting and casting appropriate and not distracting, and the weighty material balanced with humor. Go see it.

Despicably Funny

Mika and I recently watched Despicable Me. My initial review to my husband was "Even though it doesn't have a good message, it sure is funny!"

No, there is no moral value here. Villainism is upheld, and the audience roots for the underdog thief. What makes this movie enjoyable and successful are the silly or ridiculous characters--the robots are hilarious! If Mika were older and able to understand though, I would need to sit her down to discuss what was wrong with Gru's behavior, intentions, etc. He never repents of being evil--only of being a bad parent.

We must be mindful when choosing entertainment for our young children. Many animated films such as this one are deceptively funny. Like someone with good charisma, it draws us in, and we forget that we completely disagree with the morals being displayed. Movies should be a platform for discussions, regardless. Our children should learn to discuss right and wrong, recognizing and discerning the difference, and media like movies provide good bases for these teaching moments. Even though we allow them to view what others hold as worldviews, we parents must intentionally be the prominent teachers to their young, growing minds.

Themes, Dreams, and What Stirs Your Heart

Everyone I've talked to about Inception completely recommends it--why?

The easy answer is "the special effects" because they are impressive. Buildings warp, tilt, and shatter. But this does not make a good movie.

Another answer might be the plot. However, if you think about it, saving the world from a big company monopolizing the market is not quite a blockbuster. It's not the kind of cause that stirs your heart and clenches your fists as you sit in the theater. What is?

What made this movie worthwhile to me was the themes--the running messages that stick to the side of the plot, unobserved but absolutely necessary. The movie delves into the aches of men for meaning, for family, for life. It tampers with our concept of reality, making us wonder what effects our dreams have on us in the wakeful world. Is a coma much like Limbo? And can a memory (like his of Mol) be more destructive than good? Why is it so hard to release love, even when its giver is gone? If we've acted out a story in our dreams and learned much from the experience--is that not living?

Shared dreaming is a fine premise, but it is only the lure. It's the themes that make Inception a keeper.