This weekend, my family and I watched “Big Fish” starring Ewan McGregor. Cool fact: A lot of the movie was shot here in Alabama.
The movie came out in 2003 and I remember watching it then and not liking it. But, this weekend, I thought I’d give it a retry and then we could go visit some of the sites from the movie.
I liked it way better this time, mostly because I think I got the symbolism.
In the movie, Edward Bloom is a go-getter and he sets off to make his way in the world. Along his journey, he ends up in the Town of Spectre. It’s a perfectly happy place where everyone is smiley, good, and content. They don’t wear shoes in the town because the grass is pristine and nobody ever leaves Spectre.
For a bit, Edward is tempted to stay as it seems almost the perfect place, yet, he realizes he must go, because it lacks any opportunity for adventure or growth.
Edward goes on to have a full life, though he does love to stretch the truth in telling stories. In his life, he willingly befriends many people who are very different, some who lack a true friend. He also tries very hard to be a generous man.
This got me thinking about our spiritual life. I’ve joked before about running away to live with only people just like me and setting up “a perfect place,” but then how would I ever reach people who needed Christ and how would I ever grow?
Spectre eventually falls into decay because the people there never grow and they lack the ability to repair it. Edward comes back to save it; he knows how because he’s actually lived.
We are meant to live in the world, but not be of the world, Catholic Pilgrims. If we hid ourselves away, we would miss our calling to bring Christ to others.
You can visit the movie set of Spectre today which is where I am in this picture. It’s on a small island called Jackson Lake Island.
Have a great Monday.
(PS. We watched this movie using VidAngel as there are some parts I wouldn’t want my 9-year old to see or hear.)
