Magnolia....

I've been 'umming' and 'ahhing' about whether to use Magnolia in its entirety for a session I want to do on the beatitudes next week following an idea in the epic resource Pungente, J.J. and Williams, M.(2005)Finding God in the Dark. The problem is that it certainly is a bit fruity in places and I don't want to make anyone feel awkward. Fruity or not it is listed as a significant watch on the top 100 spiritually significant films - listed here. Interesting list.

Here is what Christianity Today says about Magnolia...
The unflinching portrayal of spiritually lost characters in Magnolia may scandalize some believers, but there's no denying it's one of the most often cited favorites among Christian film buffs, with its wonderfully human (and profoundly admirable) Christian cop, its intricate moral and relational complications, and its undeniable acts of divine intervention. Punch-Drunk Love, a less obviously religious film by the same director, also finds its way onto the list, a prime example of a story without explicit religious elements which nonetheless holds great appeal for Christian viewers, with its grace-filled portrait of damaged human beings yearning toward redemptive love.
I tried to watch it last night but fell asleep - can't be that fruity!

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