Movies/Scenes
Representing
Determination/Obsession/Perseverance
- Ice Age (2002)
- First preview clip to the film 'Ice Age', where the little squirrel is holding on to his nut no matter what the situation is a good illustration of our lives. No matter how tough life gets, no matter what God passes onto us. Hold on to the faith. Don't blame God, instead realize that He is our protector, he's the one that gives us strength to run the race set out before us, and like the squirrel in the film, we will finally catch the prize. (Ted Sherrin)
- Chicken Run (2000)
- "It's not the fences around the farm that keep us here; it's the fences around your brains." A fun show, not just for children. (submitted by Eric Bagwell)
- Men of Honor
(2000)
- Cuba Gooding Jr.'s character shows perseverance and determination in completing tasks in the face of obstacles and prejudice. Two scenes come to mind. The first is when, to pass a diving test, he has to assemble a piece of pipe under water in a given time. His superior sabotages the materials, and the scene shows the character pressing through and completing the task, much to the amazement of those who are watching. The second scene is near the end of the movie, when he is in the courtroom, attempting to prove his fit-ness to continue to dive and must "walk" in an incredibly cumbersome and heavy diving suit. He does so, in very dramatic fashion (Martha Johannides, Quest Community Church, Lexington, KY)
- Erin Brockovich (2000)
- "Erin Brockovich" is essentially a film about empowerment. A mother of three children is unemployed and has no source of income. She decides that she has to find a job at all costs. In her work at a small law firm, she discovers that she has very little respect from the other employees. She comes to believe that the women of the firm are jealous of her physical attributes when she is asked to change to more appropriate work clothing. She dreams of one day having a job where she is respected for what she brings to her position. She dreams of being viewed as a person of integrity. As the story unfolds, Erin develops a friendship with her boss that only strengthens with time because of her hard work and determination to do a good job. He strongly affirms Erin with several votes of confidence. As Erin works on her case, she receives acceptance from her co-workers gradually and also from those whom she wants to sign the petition. She also is required to show some great courage when she receives some threats to her family. Her case in a small California town that is plagued by bad water requires endurance from her and from her children and boyfriend/neighbor. The film depicts a journey of self-discovery for Erin. She finds that there are many obstacles that she must overcome, including dealing with the tension of not being with her children as much as she would like when she is working on her project for the town. The tension between working and not working is a strong one for Erin, who does not have the benefits of child support for her three children. As she gains the trust of the town, a sense of community between these people develops. They begin to understand that all of their medical problems are interconnected and that by joining together as one community they have a greater chance of achieving their goals. At the end of the film, Erin shows great joy at her accomplishments as a person in the working world (not to give away the ending). (submitted by Valerie Lyson Humphreys, Independence MO)
- Angela's Ashes (1999)
- The Straight Story (1999)
- it's a film about aging, what's important, how we change, the power and need for reconciliation, wisdom, the heroic within. it's all shot as thru the eyes of an older person as well so the pace is slow and contemplative. (submitted by Sandi)
- Alvin Straight's slow, arduous journey on his lawn tractor to bring reconciliation with his brother is a powerful witness to the patience and tenacity that is required if we are to make things right; if we are to tear down walls that separate. Alvin's serendipitous encounters on his journey with ordinary, caring folk underscore the Good News that even though the journey to reconciliation may be painful, we will be surprised by joy in doing what it right in the sight of God. (The Rev. Bob Naylor)
- Music of the Heart
(1999)
- (Early part of the video) Roberta is talking to her classes and tells them "you must stand tall and strong." Later in the video when she is considering quitting she goes into her classroom and talks to a little girl who wares a brace on her left leg. The young girl wants to quit because she can not stand tall. Roberta says "Standing tall is more than standing on your legs. It can also be to stand tall here (as she touches the girls heart). Application: standing tall in the faith even when we are wounded. (Richard Reese)
- Double Jeopardy (1999)
- Libby overcomes many obstacles in her search to be reunited with her son.
- The Green Mile
(1999)
- The prison guards are determined to bring John Coffey to heal the warden's wife.
- October Sky
(1999)
- Homer and friend find ways to continue to work on the rocket project despite many obstacles.
- Everest (1998-IMAX)
- The grief, the challenge, sacrificial acts
- The Prince of Egypt (1998)
- Simon Birch (1998)
- Beloved
(1998)
- Sethe's flight to freedom and her survival as a free woman.
- The Tango
Lesson (1997)
- Sally's determination (obsession?) for dancing.
- Amistad
(1997)
- Cinque uses a nail to free himself from his bonds. (see review at Hollywood Jesus)
- The Shawshank Redemption
(1994)
- Andy uses a rock hammer to break out of prison.
- At the River I Stand
(1993)
- "Memphis's 1300 sanitation workers formed the lowest caste of a deeply racist society, earning so little they qualified for welfare. In the film, retired workers recall the fear as they took on the entire white power structure when they struck for higher wages and union recognition...At the River I Stand succeeds in showing that the causes (and possibly the solutions) to our present racial quandary may well be found in what happened in Memphis. Its riveting portrait of the grit and determination of ordinary people will inspire viewers to rededicate themselves to racial and economic justice." (California Newsreel Official Site)
- Rudy (1993)
- Strictly
Ballroom (1992)
- Fran's determination to learn to dance.
- What About Bob? (1991)
- Bob continues to strive toward relationship and health despite the psychiatrist's attempts to chase him away.
- Field of Dreams (1989)
- The determination of the voice that calls Ray, and Ray's determination and perseverance building the field.
- My
Left Foot (1989)
- Young Christy writing "MOTHER" on the floor, holding chalk in his toes. (DVD chapter 5)
- The Mission (1986)
- The Color
Purple (1985)
- Celie's survival and endurance despite the cruelty around her
- Places
in the Heart (1984)
- The determination of Moze and Edna to get the crop in on time.
- Edna's determination to keep her family together.
- Close
Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
- in search for truth - Roy (and others) making models of Devil's Tower.
- The Little Foxes (1941)
- Regina blackmails her way into an unscrupulous business deal with her shady brothers.
- Grapes of Wrath (1940)
- "We're the people that live. They can't wipe us out. They can't lick us. We'll go on forever, Pa, 'cause we're the people."
