Spiritual Movies: Films that Inspire the Greater Good

(August 4, 2009)

By Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy.D.
Education Director, VIA Institute on Character
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Citation: Niemiec, R. M. (2008). The character strength of spirituality at the movies. Update, Program for Psychology and Religion, Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute.

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. –Thomas Merton

In a single, beautiful line, this humble Trappist monk comes to the essence of why people love movies. They hold at one and the same time the opportunity for insight and personal growth and relaxing escape. Few other modes of learning are so capable of reaching what Walt Disney called “that unspoiled spot deep within us.” After sifting through big-budget action movies marked by pervasive violence and silly comedies that offer mind-numbing profanity and artificial plotlines, the sophisticated viewer comes upon a type of film that speaks in a deep way. I call such a film a spiritual movie because it elicits in the viewer a sense of meaning and purpose, a deeper faith, and action for the greater good.

Spiritual themes may be found anywhere – in independent, popular, or international cinema. One does not have to probe too hard to find wisdom figures in Yoda, Obi-Wan Ben Kenobi, Gandolf, or the mentors of Harry Potter. The viewer finds much about forgiveness in scenes of Mind the Gap (2004), a film in which a priest makes a powerful distinction for a suicidal man between “saying sorry” and “asking for forgiveness.” The man learns how challenging it is to ask forgiveness, how easy it is to avoid doing so, and how necessary it is in order to experience healing. The award-winning Gandhi (1982) teaches us about humility and the active response of nonviolence. The viewer observes Gandhi’s humble yet influential leadership as he adopts unpopular positions of accepting “untouchables,” empowering women, and promoting unity between Hindus and Muslims. Field of Dreams (1989) portrays an Iowa farmer who puts his faith in a voice (“something greater”) emerging from his cornfields, “if you  build it, he will come.” Through many trials he keeps his faith that this Higher Power voice is presenting an important growth opportunity for himself, his family, and his community.

 I could go through thousands of other films that inspire healthy spirituality, strong character, and the embodiment of meaning and purpose; Danny Wedding and I have done just that in our recent book, referenced below. However, none of this means very much if the films don’t in fact lead viewers to take action to change their lives.

For the viewer that perceives the goodness, persistence, and selflessness in Mother Teresa (2003) or the “little way” of loving God in Thérèse: The Story of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (2004), it is difficult to not be inspired to volunteer or at least practice a random act of kindness or two. Mother Teresa’s instructions to the women in her order to profess a fourth vow – to give hope to those who have lost it and see the face of the Lord in those who suffer – is certainly a lesson most viewers will want to emulate. Many viewers will be moved to desire a more hopeful state of mind after viewing the power of optimism in The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005). This true story depicts everyday heroine, Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore), using her optimism not only to face her own teach her children lessons about what strength truly is. This is meaning making at its best.

The same theme of finding meaning through facing pain and suffering will move viewers of Ram Dass Fierce Grace (2001). In that film, the influential writer faces his vulnerability and the demands of rehabilitation following a stroke in a direct, grace-full way.

Other viewers will be inspired to look at their own lives more consciously after seeing Will Ferrell coming to mindfulness, connection, and meaning in his dramatic role in Stranger Than Fiction (2006). Similarly, who cannot empathize with George Bailey’s triumph over terrible setbacks in the all-time classic Frank Capra film, It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)? Who cannot join with him in being overcome with gratitude for the gift of life, warts and all?

As the Swedish filmmaker, Ingmar Bergman, says, “No art passes our conscience the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.” Should we not be choosing movies carefully so that what is touched in our souls will be to the good? If we do so, the result can be transformative, promoting the healing that follows from forgiveness, kindness, humility, and a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.

Reference: Niemiec, R. M., & Wedding, D. (2008). Positive psychology at the movies: Using films to build virtues and character strengths. Gottingen, Germany: Hogrefe