Movies/Scenes
Representing
Children/Child-Types as Mediators/Wise Ones
- The
Phantom Menace
(1999)
- the child Anakin is the savior of the Alliance. (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
- The Sixth Sense (1999)
- Cole is able to talk to and for dead people.
- Stir of Echoes (1999)
- Jake as Seer.
- The Green Mile (1999)
- John Coffin (J. C.) is 'child-like' following where he is needed, bring light and life, afraid of the dark, yet bringing healing to people, judgement to the system, forgiveness to the merciful, and an awesome experience of gentle love to any who will receive it. (submitted by Dennis Sylte)
- The Haunting
(1999)
- the spirits of children calm Nell. (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
- Simon Birch (1998)
- Simon Birch fulfilled the role of mediator by speaking up to authority on issues of justice. I love the scene in the church when he challenges the pastor on "church business". Throughout the movie he was an example of a powerless boy standing up for what was right and pointing others to goodness and to God. (Judith Snyder)
- The Secret Garden (1993)
- The Children's movie The Secret Garden deals with the interplay of healing from grief and physical healing and family system healing. There is also a scene where the children do a ritual to call back the grieving father of the now healed boy. (submitted by Bruce Turner)
- What About Bob? (1991)
- While the professional Dr. Marvin cannot relate to his family nor maintain his personal integrity, the childlike Bob creates relationships of integrity and serves as the cohesive force in Dr. Marvin's family.
- Rain Man (1988)
- The "successful" Charlie Babbit is emotionally immature and lacks integrity. His "childlike" autistic brother becomes the mediator of Charlie's redemption and growth.
- The Shining (1980)
- Danny as the one with "the shining".
- The Poseidon Adventure
(1972)
- The child knows the map of the ship - he has spoken with the captain.
- Wee Willie Winkie
(1937)
- "The setting of this movie is 19th century British-occupied India. Shirley Temple and her widowed mother (June Lang as Joyce Williams), travel to India to live with grandfather/father-in-law, Colonel Williams. At first, the British outpost is an oppressive place, ruled with an iron military fist. Priscilla is a most curious, precocious child. After a series of adventures, she wins the hearts of everyone by challenging prejudicial assumptions of both friends and enemies. Her innocent, yet challenging questions are instrumental in helping Colonel Williams and Islamic freedom fighter, Khoda Khan to see the senselessness of violence, leading to a negotiated peace between the two enemies. Themes: the peaceful kingdom (Isaiah 11:1-9, especially verse 6), reconciliation transforming enemies into friends, children and God?s realm (Matthew 18:1-4), courageous love ( I John 4:18). Recommended for family viewing." (Reviewed by the Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson)
