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How Movies Helped Save My Soul: Finding Spiritual Fingerprints in Culturally Significant Films

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Let me start off by saying that without Gareth Higgins' asides and parentheticals, How Movies Helped Save My Soul would be half as long and a third as funny. I love it when editors allow the writers unique voice to come out, and Cara Baker has outdone herself this time around. However, the personal style that Gareth uses points out too well the major downside to this book. Namely, the title is How Movies Helped Save MY Soul, with the emphasis clearly on the author.

Higgins takes us on a mad cultural, philosophical, and somewhat inspiring journey deep into the heart of Hollywood, searching for anything he can find that is redemptive or redeeming about the films he loves. Along the way, he explores his very Biblical worldview, which can be stated simply as, "If God created everything, then how can we divide things into sacred and secular compartments?" And indeed, I agree that glimpses of grace and Christ abound in virtually anything you can mention. However, as is often the case with this worldview, sometimes experiencing Freedom in Christ can get in the way of explaining that freedom.

To be more specific, Higgins sees God and Christ-imagery in every movie he loves. Unfortunately, many of these movies are seen by mainline evangelical Christianity as abhorrent and unredeemable. Mentioning films like Eyes Wide Shut, American Beauty, and The Exorcist immediately puts less open-minded Christians on guard; regardless of the fact that many don't even know why they think these movies are taboo. And thus, the message is lost in the choice of media.

Communication, we are taught, is not the message sent as much as it is the message received. And when you explore issues using films and books that people cannot see past, they miss the message, and you are left largely preaching to the choir, which avails no one. Perhaps that is why the book has reached the heights of being listed as one of the top tomes on DiscerningReader.com's "Books To Avoid" list.

Unfortunately, the choice of movies is defined by Higgins' personal tastes more than a definitive objective viewpoint. That would be the major flaw in this otherwise enjoyable book. Rather than being an exploration of Christian themes and worldviews in the movies, like William Romanowski's Eyes Wide Open, How Movies Helped Save My Soul is more of Gareth Higgins movie diary - personal reflections on spirituality and spiritual views in the movies HE loves. He even admits in the chapter on The Matrix (which seems horribly outdated in light of the recent conclusion to the trilogy) that he missed the spiritual overtones of the movie until a friend pointed it out and he watched it again. Too often, Higgins stretches a little too far searching for a reason to watch his favorite films again and again. Although I admit I will never see the story of The Exorcist the same way again, Higgins repeatedly falls back on personal reflection rather than clear-cut examples.

Higgins own words convict him, "This book, for what its worth, is my gift to you. It's just a collection of my thoughts, which are no more or less valid than yours..." As I said before, a film diary.

Would I recommend the book? Yes, to one and all, and especially to Christians who strive for safety in all things - the God we claim to serve was NOT a God of safety. Just be warned before you pick it up, it's more a biography than a proof text. As long as you keep that in mind, you can feel free to enjoy it for what it is.

The awards season is in full swing. Already we've sat through acceptance speeches at the Golden Globes and the Grammys. The Oscars, grand poomba of all award shows, is fast approaching. So this is the perfect time to pick up a book about movies!

HOW MOVIES HELPED SAVE MY SOUL: Finding Spiritual Fingerprints in Culturally Significant Films, by Gareth Higgins, is the newest addition to a growing number of Christian books dedicated to exploring religious themes in film. Brought to us by Relevant Books, an upstart publisher with its finger planted firmly on the pulse of 20-something Christians, this book displays the innate comfort post-modern Christians have discussing movies and their power to positively influence personal lives. This is notable because many older Christians can remember a time when mainstream moviegoing was widely recognized as taboo.

As one might surmise from the title, Higgins' approach to the subject of movies is as much about memoir as it is criticism. Some of his earliest memories are of his dad taking him and his brother to the movies, beginning his lifelong love of the big screen: "Film is so wrapped up with the fabric of my life that, along with the community of friends and family with whom I'm blessed to travel, I simply cannot explain myself without it."

Like listening to a veteran bibliophile list off his or her favorite books, it's daunting to realize how many movies Higgins has viewed in his relatively short lifetime. If I got started right now I'm not sure I'd catch up! Thankfully, I don't have to catch up and the encyclopedic roster of movies Higgins has seen is clearly an asset to this book.

Higgins chose to sort through his ideas about movies by organizing his thoughts into chapters on big themes such as Justice, God, Community, Brokenness, Outsiders, Death, Fear, and so on. In each chapter he presents a relatively detailed critique of two or three movies he thinks best explore the subject at hand. What follows varies from chapter to chapter, but it generally involves lists of additional suggested movies and his musings.

This book is a much-needed departure from what has been, until recently, the standard format for Christian movie criticism --- counting all the bad words. Perhaps such simple criticism does have its place, but Higgins does an excellent job of pointing readers to the ways movies, even those with bad words, can reveal striking portraits of grace and faith and hope:

"Who among us has not felt at least in microcosm the anguished courage of a William Wallace in Braveheart, or identified with the last minute redemption of a Lester Brunham in American Beauty, or suffered the torment of a Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part II, on realizing that what we thought we controlled was actually controlling us? Film, in the final analysis, can do for you what all great art does --- irritate and heal, challenge and affirm, inspire and sadden. It can, in the case of a film like Magnolia, truly give you more life, or as in Wings of Desire, make you believe in God, or as with The Wizard of Oz, tell you the truth about your own existence."

HOW MOVIES HELPED SAVE MY SOUL is weak when it strays from its understood mission. Far too often it leaves both movie criticism and memoir and turns into a soapbox for Higgins' ideas about community and the death penalty and the institutional church and whatever else he's inspired to preach about. Loose writing also creates the cumulative effect that Higgins is rambling at times, as opposed to providing tangible insight.

The most helpful chapter in the book is the first, titled "Dr. Higgins' Rosetta Stone." In it he gives a brief primer on how to move from being a passive moviegoer to an informed amateur critic with the ability to mine movies for all they're worth. Some of his suggestions are probably a bit too involved for most would-be amateur critics (I don't know many who would spend the money and time to subscribe to and read "a decent, intelligent but accessible film magazine" as he suggests), but many more of them are excellent and simple ways to make moviegoing more interesting and beneficial.

This book could be a great tool with which to start your own movie club. People get together and talk about books, so why not do the same with movies? I'll bring the popcorn!

--- Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel

First, let me get a few gripes off my chest. Gareth Higgins has an interesting style, which was generally able to grab and keep my attention. Unfortunately, my anticipation for the meat of the subject may have been too high, as I sometimes found myself disappointed to be eating only side dishes. On several occasions his tendency to ramble on in a stream-of-consciousness fashion, often drifting way off topic, forced me to fight through this book instead of enjoying every moment of it. In addition, there were a number of grammar and typographical mistakes, which I found to be extremely distracting.

That said, How Movies Helped Save My Soul: Finding Spiritual Fingerprints in Culturally Significant Films was an overall success, despite the occasional frustrations mentioned above. With chapters that dissected films addressing a multitude of themes including "war," "love," "fear," "God" and "death," How Movies Helped Save My Soul was an eye opening book, full of useful information. I especially enjoyed the "Primer" and "Wrap" sections that closed each chapter, often prompting readers to reconsider their current outlook on the topic with a controversial question or statement.

Though this book could have been more effective from a less subjective standpoint, I found myself generally intrigued by Higgins' personal insight into a variety of big screen hits and not-so-well-known masterpieces, often wishing I had seen them more recently (or seen them at all). I would definitely recommend a movie marathon prior to delving into this book in order to refresh your memory on the films that Higgins addresses, or to catch up on those you haven't taken the time to see before. Believe me, it will be worth the money if you're truly interested in digging deeper into the spiritual side of film.

How Movies Helped Save My Soul encourages readers to look at film in a fresh way, with a desire to learn from it and use it to teach others, rather than being the passive movie participant that so many of us choose to be. If nothing else, this book piqued my interest in films I would have never thought to see, and inspired a new approach to my own film watching. Knowing that this was Higgins' intent when he put pen to paper, I would have to say that How Movies Helped Save My Soul accomplished its goal.

I've enjoyed this book, especially Gareth's writing style - sarcasm and stream of consciousness work for me. And while I haven't seen and probably won't see *all* of the movies listed, of the ones we have in common Higgins has been pretty reflective and has built upon my own take. There is so much truth in art in general and in movies in particular. We love good stories, and we're more and more open to imagery - movies are our parablee; directors are our storytellers.

If you've ever emerged awed and blinking from a film with a feeling that life is not quite the same as when you went in, you'll love this book. In a hyperactive world, argues Belfast-based writer Gareth Higgins, going to the flicks is one of the few contemplative rituals we have left.
Contrary to a couple of somewhat clenched reviews on this site, it makes no claim to be a definitive guide to the spiritual content to films. This is not "God's Favourite Movies: Ten Vetted Film Nuggets to Save You From Doubt". Instead Higgins offers us his own subjective and bracingly candid meander through themes such as death, community, fear, conspiracy, power and love, drawing on diverse cinematic offerings ranging from "Amores Perros" to "The Wizard of Oz".
Written in witty, conversational style but without sacrificing intellectual rigour, it also has a beguiling vulnerability. Higgins shares his life as well as his love of movies, and the result is often as moving as it is illuminating.
Evidently a man who has been bruised as much as blessed by his Christian religious heritage and unafraid to say so, he refuses to be thrown off the scent of the great Director at work in the universe. The result is part filmography, part memoir, part meditation - an engaging and uplifting meander through one man's love affair with life both on and off the silver screen.
Borrowing a habit from Woody Allen in "Manhattan", Higgins ends the book with a list of the everyday miracles that make him grateful to be alive: Randalstown forest on a crisp morning; coffee with friends; tigers; Singin' in the Rain; the inside of Krakow Cathedral; and the feeling when the lights go down in the cinema...
You're left with the same brimming fullness you experience after a stunningly good movie: a sense of life's luminous beauty and pain, a renewed vision of the good, or God, that so often goes unnoticed... and of course a determination to see more films.
More than a cinematic guide, this is a spontaneous act of generosity. Enjoy.

I am leading a Christian study group using popular films. I was hoping this book could help me use film to illustrate some Scriptural truth. Unfortunately, the author was much less interested in a Christian message than to make sure he took every opportunity to insult the "church." I know that churches have problems and hurt people, but it is not as common as this author seems to assert.
He seems very angry at the church (and for some reason, all of western culture - especially America.) Living in N. Ireland could make one suspicious of religion I assume, but despite his claims to be a Chrisitan so concerned about commmunity, he seems to enjoy tearing down more than teaching and building up.
It is a good study of film (not movies - he definatley comes from a critical point of view and not that of an average person) but not very useful in the context of the church.
That's my take anyway. God bless.

If all I received from "How Movies Helped Save My Soul" was a few good recommendations on what movies to rent next, I would have been somewhat satisfied. The author mentioned many great ones that I had never heard of, which made the lengthy list posted on my fridge entitled "movies to rent" worth this read to me. But fortunately, it went much deeper than that. Higgins was very open and exposed himself very plainly through his reviews, revealing his mind and heart to all readers. I didn't feel like I was in a lecture hall, I felt like I was listening to a friend share his thoughts and observations with me.
I am also a fan of books that are broken into sections, so that I can skip around. The format served well for this subject. I think some of the reviews are best after seeing the movie yourself. So when I see one of these movies at a later time, I can read just that section again and rediscover his opinions and compare them to my own.
He brought up some very solid points and really challenged Christians to be what they claim: followers of Jesus Christ. Although I agree with Higgins that there needs to be a major reformation in the church, I think he could have given some grace. Many churches are taking great strides to fulfill the vision of community, service, depth in teaching and worship, and love for God and people that Christ had for the church. I hope that he challenges and encourages many churches to do the same, but it is hard to be encouraged when you are simply being put down. It's good to be real, but show some hope, man.
In this book Higgins seems very passionate about the importance of Christians keeping their eyes open to the world and the culture surrounding them, using everything they can to further their understanding of God's word and people. After all, one of the most forward messages of the Bible is to love the people around you...all of them.
Good book with one of the best conclusions I have ever read. Shows you how to get even more out of films. They aren't just entertainment. They are meant to challenge, to enlighten, and to make you feel, then act on those feelings. Higgins, you grasped that knowledge and threw it in our faces. Thanks.

Reading How Movies Helped Save My Soul first made me realize that I need to see more movies, and that I would enjoy having meaningful discussions about such things as movies. Pure entertainment; the author would strongly disagree when talking about movies. In his book, Gareth Higgins helps to prepare your mind for an enlightening and possibly life-changing experience when seeing a movie. It is an insightful book that is meant to challenge Christians to really look at the significance of movies. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to challenge their intellect and stimulate their minds when seeing a movie. The author likes to have a ten minute block of silence once a movie is over with to allow the movie to process in his head. I think that is a good idea, for we all too often will jump to the conclusion that a movie is good or bad. Without going any further, we fail to appreciate all the time and work put into this piece of art. It is entertainment, but can be much more meaningful and significant. I enjoyed this book, and will enjoy it again, once I see more of the movies the author discusses. This is a book you can enjoy over and over again and actually put to good use.

Gareth Higgins has written a delightfully irreverent, insightful, and immanently readable guide to exploring the spiritual significance of movies. His voice is conversational, conspiratorial, witty and extremely opinionated. He never fails to let you know what he really thinks, pulling absolutely no punches. That is as it should be. I know if I wrote a guide to movies I think are important and laden with spiritual significance, it would be just as opinionated. That being said, he has left out some of my favorite films. However, there are a plethora of movies to delve into here.

What's more, this book is not just about the movies; I came away feeling like I knew Mr. Higgins, and what matters to him in life. There is a lot of down-to-earth philosophy here, just the way I appreciate philosophical thought being rendered. It is always accessible. It feels like a conversation with a new friend that you have the eerie feeling you've known all your life. It never falls victim to the arid quality of so much critical theory when it comes to academic offerings on film or literature. No, this is a celebration. It is also a blueprint for a life of significance. There are winning sections on community, and persuasive thoughts about how we have lost our sense of connectedness in Western culture, and more importantly, how to get it back!

The wonderful thing about the structure of the book is that Higgins has parceled out the films he discusses thematically, with chapters on weighty matters such as "God," "Fear "Quest," "Outsiders," "Brokenness," and more. This gives him the opportunity to speak on these themes themselves, woven throughout life itself, and within the movies, and then back out, connected to life again. The result of this wondrous book is a feeling of embracing life, and becoming more fully human. In the conclusion to his decidedly personal collection of thoughts, Higgins leaves off with an exploration of things he is grateful for, and some words to the wise for us all. By this last page, I feel I have made a new friend; someone who is engaging, imperfect, and deeply thoughtful. I appreciated this journey in the company of Dr. Higgins and his Rosetta Stone.

loved it - lots of food for thought. I'm completely in agreement with higgins - there's more spiritual insight in some films than in a lot of sermons I've heard. it's great to read someone that's so gifted in articulating what i'd only sensed on seeing a film. Very brave to write such a personal book - and freely acknowledges his own fallibilty. Disrespect to 2nd reviewer - very easy to be arrogant in cyberspace.
Hope there'll be an update in 10 years time