FAITH REVIEW – Elizabethtown

Marty Simmons Faith Review of Elizabethtown Film Title: Elizabethtown Year: 2005 Director(s): Cameron Crowe wrote, directed and produced Elizabethtown. He also directed such films as Vanilla Sky, Jerry Maguire, and Almost Famous. Original release form/venue: Theatrical release Current availability and formats: DVD, Blu-Ray, Netflix Genre: comedy/drama Story elements: Drew Baylor is a young, hip designer of the Spasmodica, a shoe which has been expected to be a worldwide success. Instead, the shoe is a major failure, one which will cost his company 972 million dollars. After being fired, Drew goes home and empties the contents of his apartment, placing all his belongings into a dumpster-with the exception of his cell phone and an exercise bike. He attaches a kitchen knife to the bike using duct tape and intends to use it to commit suicide by stabbing himself as he rides. However, his attempt fails; the knife loosens at the very moment his sister calls to inform him their father has died while visiting relatives. Drew agrees to go to Elizabethtown, Kentucky to bring their father’s body home. Drew begins his journey as the only passenger on a nighttime flight. The flight attendant, Claire, engages him in conversation and draws a map with specific instructions which will guide Drew on his way to Elizabethtown. Film Language elements: The elements of relationships between characters and of characters being on a journey are central to this film. At the beginning of his journey, Drew must deal with relationships in his immediate circle in Oregon, including his boss, his girlfriend, his sister and his mother. He then travels to Elizabethtown where he interacts with relatives and friends of his father’s; Drew has not seen any of them for years, and they all remain under the misconception that Drew lives in California. Eventually, Drew’s journey causes him to examine his relationship with his dead father, with Claire and, ultimately, with himself. Music, too, is a critical component of this film as evidenced from the use of “Freebird” at the memorial gathering to the specific songs tied to the places and experiences of Drew’s road trip. Audience/Cultural Context elements: Marty Simmons Faith Review of Elizabethtown In our current culture, many people will be able to relate to Drew’s work situation; he spent years producing the perfect new shoe, while sacrificing time with his family. However, he ends up a failure in the business world and, as a result, must determine how to reconfigure his life and relationships. Viewers may also find connections with the colorful, quirky characters who populate Drew’s world. Theology is found: It may be brought in through conversations with themes, especially that of journeys. Theological themes for conversation: relationships; journeys; community; love; life and death; hope; failure and success Suggested use of film: I would use this film with a college age and/or adult group who could better relate to Drew’s struggles with his work and his relationships. Recommended amount/parts of film to view, and way to view it: I would ask the participants to watch the entire movie in advance. Then, as a whole group, after appropriate introduction of the plot, we would view the portion of the film showing Drew on his road trip, which is scene 19 from 19:1:42:38 through 20:1:53:30. Concluding or summary remark At first glance, this movie appears to be one which would provide limited connections for the viewers as it focuses on Drew’s failure as a shoe designer and the death of his father. However, the movie broadens to encompass a fuller experience for its characters (and its viewers, too); it becomes a shared journey which is enriched by grief, laughter, love, hope and music as the messiness of life continues among them. .

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