The Bone Collector

The Bone Collector (1999)

Information at Internet Movie Database
Roger Ebert Review, Chicago Sun-Times
"The Bone Collector: Works Theology, Anyone?" Steve Lansingh, TheFilmForum: Christian Conversation about the Movies.
Review, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Health - Spiritual Practices for Human Being.
Themes
- Female Christ Figure
  - Amelia's love for Lincoln Rhyme brings about the rebirth of his hope & life.
- Healing
  - Lincoln Rhyme's life is healed through his relationship with Amelia and through immersing himself in his work once more, yet he is still a quadriplegic. (Healing can happen when the disease/disability remains.)
- Hope
  - Lincoln Rhyme's loss of hope causes him to contemplate suicide. As the film progresses, it is his hope that gives him the will to live.
- Journey/Wilderness
  - Amelia establishes her integrity/identity as she enters the crime scenes.
  - Rhyme's time in bed as a quadriplegic is a "wilderness" time, during which he must establish his integrity through being "tested" in many ways.
- Rebirth/Redemption
  - Lincoln Rhyme's life is resurrected and even redeemed through his relationship with Amelia.
- Teacher/Student
  - Amelia begins as Rhyme's student. Through the movie she becomes him (in a fairly literal sense - she is his eyes, ears, & feet). Then she begins to teach him, and the relationship becomes mutual.