I think these feelings and awareness have been a gift and none of that would be possible without cancer. We need not minimize it but are able to embrace suffering knowing its work is productive and gives way to compassion. The film seemed eager to resolve pain and anguish with a cheery holiday message. What are the odds that this film would choose that type of cancer, especially right now? Suffering reconstructs the tension of time. "No matter how dark and no matter how difficult a time is, there is something beautiful that’s happening right there, you just have to look and see it. The 2016 film Collateral Beauty may have had low ratings and did not profit as much as you’d expect from a movie teeming with A-list names.But if you’re looking for a movie that isn’t afraid to explore the different kinds of emotional pain in life and how to best cope … 1- Barton, R. H. (2012). From our Leading Voices to our regular Writing Team and those invited to publish with us as Community Voices, we are creating a space for thoughtful engagement of critical issues and questions facing the North American Church in God’s mission. They removed a baseball-sized tumor from his head. ". [10], On August 4, 2015, Will Smith was cast to play the lead, replacing Jackman, while Smith's Overbrook Entertainment was set to also produce the film. on [21], Principal photography on the film began on February 22, 2016, in Queens in New York City[22] and Manhattan. Her name was Olivia, and she died from a rare form of cancer at six years old. Although she expresses anger and initially refuses to speak to him, he expresses his love for her and vows to return every day until she talks to him. Likewise, the film’s grasp of the hardest realities of this life—loss—came up empty. Faith gives us the ability to make meaning of life knowing this is not the end. It will be lingering moments of unknown and ‘what ifs’. How do we suffer in a different way? As Howard meets with Madeleine, she shows him a note from her husband, "If only we could be strangers again..." and continues enigmatically "And now we are." Howard spends his time alone, rarely sleeping or eating, and at the office, building domino chains and structures. To give ourselves to the process, we must trust that our truest self is hidden with Christ in God, to be revealed as God sees that we are ready to live into it”. [29], Vince Mancini of Uproxx criticized the film for its misleading trailers and dialogue, writing, "Edward Norton's character tells Keira Knightley's about holding his now-estranged daughter (he's a workaholic!) From darkness God creates, He forms meaning from chaos, he creates life in our death. Hope tells us that Death does not get the final word. The mystery of darkness is that the presence of God can still be found. [2], The film was released alongside Rogue One and the wide expansion of Manchester by the Sea, and was initially expected to gross $11–13 million from 3,028 theaters in its opening weekend, on par with Smith's 2015 drama Concussion. Rather than teaching us about Love, Time and Death, this movie exposes a different truth: our discomfort with feeling unresolved. However you may react to an article we publish or a fellow commenter, we encourage you to set forth that reaction is the most constructive way possible. I left asking, what hope do we have instead? Suffering reconstructs the tension of time. From the trailer and premise, Collateral Beauty had an alluring potential—showing what it means to grapple the ominous realities of loss and sorrow. It is built on a foundation so contrived, so off-putting, so treacly, the most miraculous thing about this movie is this movie was actually made. Use your voice and perspective to move conversation forward rather than shut it down. Collateral Beauty is a 2016 American fantasy drama film directed by David Frankel and written by Allan Loeb. But through Christ we see suffering as an opportunity to enter in. As Howard’s three friends try and make meaning of his pain, I was reminded of Job in the Bible and his three friends, who rushed his grief, offering empty words, always coming up short (Job 8:2). Successful advertising executive Howard Inlet (Will Smith) becomes clinically depressed after his young daughter's tragic death. Menu. But there’s also a deeper hope in this suffering we are entering into together. Howard turns and sees Amy, Raffi and Brigitte watching from a footbridge, but they vanish as Madeleine turns toward them, implying they are indeed Love, Time and Death after all. Please enter your username or email address. On the contrary, compassion means going directly to those people and places where suffering is most acute and building a home there.”. This cheapens the sacredness of mystery. [9] On July 15, 2015, it was announced that Jackman had exited the project due to his commitment with 20th Century Fox's Logan film, and producers were eyeing Johnny Depp to star instead. "[30] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 23 out of 100 based on 40 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". How tempting is it to minimize hurt with promises of better days and brighter sides of things? 2- McNeill, D. P., Morrison, D. A., & Nouwen, H. J. In view of those suggestions for shaping conversation on our site and in an effort to curate a hospitable space of open conversation, Missio Alliance may delete comments and/or ban users who show no regard for constructive engagement, especially those whose comments are easily construed as trolling, threatening, or abusive. and profound connection to everything after her own traumatic experience. Cancer also has a couple starring roles. They are: In November 2016, it was confirmed that OneRepublic's song "Let's Hurt Tonight" was part of the soundtrack album. The website's critical consensus reads, "Well-meaning but fundamentally flawed, Collateral Beauty aims for uplift but collapses in unintentional hilarity. The underlying themes are love, time and death. [23] On March 10, 2016, filming took place at the Whitney Museum of American Art.[24]. This transformation points us to the “not yet” of our faith. It will be filled with moments that are precariously balanced by sadness and laughter. A music video for the song was released on December 6, 2016. By commenting below, you agree to abide by the Missio Alliance Comment Policy. They removed a baseball-sized tumor from his head. 53 Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry. [14] On December 1, 2015, Variety reported that Helen Mirren was in early talks to join the cast, with filming expected to begin early 2016 in New York City. The trio hire a private investigator, Sally Price (Ann Dowd), to acquire evidence that Howard is unfit to run the company, allowing them to take control. If so, here’s why I disagree. These people learn important life lessons as well. on December 23, 2016. A distinction of Christianity is that love is characterized in suffering. Brigitte encourages him to share the burden with his family. As the majority shareholder, Howard has also undermined their efforts to sell the company. We see a Savior who embraced suffering as a way to overcome evil. In his book Compassion, Henri Nouwen shares its relationship to suffering: “Jesus’ whole life and mission involve accepting powerlessness and revealing in this powerlessness the limitlessness of God’s love. Love points us to a God who is working through suffering to show his glory both now, and in the future. I didn't know why or how or what that meant for years, but it wouldn't leave me alone. We have a deeper hope because this is not the end. The film stars an ensemble cast of Will Smith, Edward Norton, Keira Knightley, Michael Peña, Naomie Harris, Jacob Latimore, Kate Winslet, and Helen Mirren. During this time, I was invited to screen Collateral Beauty. [11] On September 8, 2015, it was announced that New Line Cinema had come on board to handle worldwide distribution for the film, while Mara had left the project. Collateral Beauty premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival on December 13, 2016, and was released in the United States on December 16, 2016. Love tells Howard he owes it to his daughter's existence to love and that he can't live without it. Amy rejects him, but agrees to commit to their plan if he will make amends with his daughter. It’s a rare form of brain cancer, unforgiving and aggressive. Compassion allows us to lament. We’re not promised that things will resolve neatly. Everyone’s perspective is intimately bound up with their own stories – their contexts and experiences. This scarcity of time showed up in their response to his grief. In preparation for their roles, Brigitte, Raffi, and Amy spend time with Simon, Claire, and Whit, who are going through personal problems of their own: Simon is secretly battling cancer; Whit is struggling to connect with his pre-teen daughter Allison after cheating on her mother; and Claire is looking for sperm donors to conceive a child after neglecting her private life for years. Part of the hope we have in celebrating comes from the knowing that our lives extend beyond ourselves. It is not a bending toward the underprivileged from a privileged position; it is not a reaching out from on high to those who are less fortunate below; it is not a gesture of sympathy or pity for those who fail to make it in the upward pull. As the group is discussing the actors' performances, Amy storms out of the room because she feels guilty about manipulating Howard. Diversity in the Church is Essential to God’s Mission, A Nation Waits: A Presidency Ends, but the Church’s Work Continues, A Nation Waits: The Great Rebuke for the Church to Ponder, A Nation Waits: An Ancient Creed that Is Right for This Moment, A Nation Waits: It’s Time to Name the Context, A Nation Waits: Seeking a Center of Peace, On Saying “Jesus is Lord” in the Age of Trump, A Nation Waits: What Faithfulness Looks Like, Crucial Prayer and Conversations Before and After the Election, What Happens When You Die? On May 13, 2015, it was announced that Hugh Jackman and Rooney Mara would star in the New York-set drama Collateral Beauty, to be directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and written by Allan Loeb. Brigitte is revealed to be the woman who had told Madeleine about the concept of collateral beauty. Cancer also has a couple starring roles. Howard realizes his mental state and behavior are ruining the company and soon voices his gratitude for all that his friends have done for him, promising to be there in their times of need. [6] On June 9, 2015, PalmStar Media's Kevin Frakes came on board to produce and fully finance the film, and Likely Story was also on board to co-produce the film, with Loeb also producing. This cheapens the sacredness of mystery. Unfortunately, because of the relational distance introduced by online communication, “thoughtful engagement” and “comment sections” seldom go hand in hand.