What Are Movies Saying About Our Culture and Christians?

Written by Phil Boatwright

This article is courtesy of Living with Teenagers magazine

Between the 1930s and the mid-1960s, the entertainment industry was governed by the Motion Picture Code, which regulated the presentation of sexual situations, violence, language, and religious ridicule in movies. While that may sound limiting, it actually caused artistic creativity. Every subject was addressed, but filmmakers, governed by regulated codes of decency and their own instinctive ethic, were careful not to exploit or tear down. There was an overall optimism generated in film land.

Moviemakers showed us not just what we are, but what we could become. Alas, the days of a paternalistic code are long gone. For thirty-some years, the often-unbridled MPAA rating system has allowed filmmakers to not only reflect our nation’s moral standards, but disregard them as well. 

With the aid of indifference among Christian and morally conservative people, the Motion Picture Code gave way in the mid-’60s to a new form of monitoring. The movie industry no longer approves or disapproves the content of a film. This would now be the sole responsibility of parents. Now the morality in movies is governed by injudicious filmmakers who believe freedom of speech demands no accountability by its practitioners.

Movies Are Influential

Those who populate Tinseltown have given us wonderful films that make us laugh (About A Boy), touch our emotions (The Rookie), or cause us to think (Dead Man Walking). The influential power of those making the movies must never be underestimated. Not satisfied with being our modern-day court jesters, many members of the entertainment industry have taken it upon themselves to debate political, social, and religious standards: three subjects of which movie folk believe they instinctively know all there is to know. 

Certainly, there have been others with articulate clout bent on changing the interpretation of principles set forth by our Founding Fathers. Madeleine Murray O’Hare wanted prayer out of schools. Someone else insisted teen girls be permitted to have abortions without parental knowledge. Others said it wasn’t necessary for leaders to be held accountable for their lifestyles. And so on. It has been the immoral media majority who have embraced these deleterious manifestoes, as if it was their duty to support rebellion, no matter the cause.

Movies Reflect the Culture

Here are several elements commonly found in today’s movies. Has Hollywood merely reflected the times we live in or influenced them? You be the judge.

Smoking. The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that 430,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related diseases and 4,800 kids between 11 and 17 smoke their first cigarette every day. Yet, a recent study indicated that more than 85 percent of films contain tobacco use, usually by the beautiful and the young. Almost half of these films aimed at adolescents. For the tobacco industry to survive, they need a subliminal product campaign aimed at youngsters. 

It was reported that Philip Morris paid $350,000 for the privilege of displaying Larks cigarettes in the James Bond film License to Kill. Why do you think they are willing to pay that amount?

Drugs. Ted Demme’s film Blow concerns the rise and fall of George Jung, who became the world’s premiere importer of cocaine from Colombia. Although a well-acted and poignant film, the producers fail to paint the entire picture of the drug culture. The attention is focused on George Jung’s involvement in making drugs hip and available, but the writers and director neglect to showcase any victims of this deadly lifestyle. The movie merely deals with the exploiters who got caught up in a hedonistic way of life. Had there been at least one example of a life ruined by cocaine use, we might have seen the film’s protagonist and his accomplices for what they truly were – soulless. Rarely do films show the consequences of drug use.

Sex. The common expression reminds us that sex sells. Hollywood has sold everything there is to sell, aided by sex. Christians, young and old, are overwhelmed by sexuality in our culture. I want them to know that sexual desires are normal, but the media exploits sexuality whenever possible. Even though we are new creations in Christ, we still battle the world, the flesh and the devil. 

The Bible makes it clear that we are not to be governed by the world’s standard. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom. 12:2). The key word here is renewing. 

Comic Crudity. The Animal, Corky Romano, American Pie (One and Two), and nearly every other comedy aimed at the teen market rely on gross-out humor. I fear this generation will assume that all comedy stems from flatulence jokes. 

Why are we becoming so crude? Could it be because a generation of filmgoers are accepting it as the norm?

The Acceptance of Crime. When the Motion Picture Code was intact, movie criminals were unable to get away with a crime (The Asphalt Jungle). Today the audience roots for the sophisticated, glamorous, and downright good-looking to get away with illegal activity (Entrapment, Bandits, Heartbreakers, The Score, Oceans 11). Every single film I have seen in the past two years featuring the leads as cons or thieves has had the stars getting away with their lawlessness.

Cynicism. While artists have always been able to poke fun at pomposity, under the Code, humor or dramatic messages seldom emphasized cynicism. In Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, we do see corrupt politicians, but we are also given an example of how political life is supposed to work. The film’s finale portrays a spirit of hopeful aspirations rather than the cynical view of mankind’s failings. 

A humorous observation can stimulate thought. Cynicism, however, merely shows contempt. The cynic feels he’s done his job by denouncing. Yet, he seldom offers a constructive solution.

Profanity. Exodus 20 instructs us to reverence God’s name; yet, nearly every actor of this era has misused God’s name or that of our Savior on the silver screen. If words are the summation of the heart’s thoughts, then surely people who constantly misuse God’s name are contemptuous of His nature.

What About Us?

Are we teaching our Christian youth to see past the propaganda of the media? The first step in any battle is to be informed. Are they armed with the armor of God? To fend off the world’s hypnotic tugs, parents and children alike need to know God’s guidelines and why He gave them to us. Do your children believe the Bible to truly be the Word of God? Church fellowship and family Bible study are still the best way to reach them, along with parents who live Christ’s example. 

As His kids, we are to be a light to the world. It won’t be until we desire to rise above the world’s standard that we will embrace God’s. “Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises” (Ps. 25:14, TLB).¹

Scripture quotations marked TLB are taking from The Living Bible. ©Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1971. Used by permission.

Phil Boatwright is the editor and film reviewer for The Movie Reporter, a monthly film guide from a Christian perspective. His Web site is www.moviereporter.com.

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