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50/50, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and my hope for Rob Bell

Last weekend, I was down in Leesburg and had just about exactly 2 hours off between two different events I was attending. I decided to head to the movie theater and try and catch something that would magically fit just inside that window, and I actually found something- the film 50/50.

This was a movie that I had seen previews for, but I never really connected with them. However, my wife had mentioned it as a possibility when I lamented that, after seeing Moneyball, there was nothing out that interested me. Boy, was she right.

Have you ever seen movies that seems to have been made just for you? It is as if among the genres of film there would be the typical action, sci-fi, RomCom, and then there’s the “Dan movie.”

There are not many “Dan movies” out there. Those that qualify include October Sky, Garden State, and 500 Days of Summer. Well, I can add 50/50 to that list. You may notice that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the main male actor in 50% of Dan movies- interesting… I really think it is too bad that Heath Ledger died so early, and their only chance to act together was 10 Things I Hate About You.

Anyway- enough with the long intro.

The things these “Dan movies” have in common is that they face the realities of life head on. Sure, they are all in their own ways romanticized, manipulatory, and Hollywood-icized. However, they come closer to acknowledging the emotions of life without being purposefully depressing.

During the Rob Bell tour Drops Like Stars, Rob explores how we react to suffering. In it, he talks about the caucasian youth driving around in his mother’s SUV with a rap song blaring. The image is of a kid searching for pain and a “way to feel” because his life is void of suffering- he has everything he wants.

I sometimes wonder if I like these “Dan movies” due to a form of this principle. Also, my favorite songs are breakup songs- even though I am happily married! I love melancholy music. Play me some Ray LaMontagne, Norah Jones, or the new Bon Iver album, and I feel at home.

In reflecting on it over the past week, with the huge help of meeting with my clergy covenant group, I don’t think it is that my life is void of suffering- though I admit that I am incredibly blessed and have been provided for every step of my journey. I think what makes me connect with these forms of entertainment is that they express emotions that I feel but struggle to express myself.

There is an incredible weight that comes with being a pastor. We all admit to each other that we strive for authenticity and that we don’t have to be “happy” all of the time. Yet, we still do that- I still do that. Perhaps it is a sign that I need to find more true peers to spend time with so that I have an outlet. Yet, there is a certain authenticity that is needed in the church. It isn’t about dumping all of our baggage on our churches and campus ministries, but it is about modeling a healthy range of emotions.

We put on a smile for the visitors and congregation members because we want them to feel welcome and we want to demonstrate the “joy of the Lord” - but what if what drives some people away from the church, especially young people, is that they don’t feel happy all the time? They don’t fit in at a place that is all smiles, all the time.

Sadly, what is missing from most of these “Dan movies” is a person of faith. In Garden State, the main character talks openly about his Jewish heritage- and actually the religious part, not just culturally. In looking over the original screenplay that became 50/50, the main character visits a Rabbi for a brief conversation about death and what comes after, but it never made the final cut.

These movies all communicate a sense of hope. They are all authentic to the human experience. They don’t pull punches. Yet, for me, there is a gaping hole- where does this hope come from?

You see- it has to come from more than just dodging a bullet or having a really great weekend from some crazy friends. Where is the hope when the bad thing you fear actually comes to fruition? Where is the hope 3 months later when the adrenaline rush of the crisis and the emotional side of attraction to the cute girl wears off?

This is where we get to my hope for Rob Bell. He is leaving his church this winter for Los Angeles. He, along with LOST co-executive producer Carlton Cuse, is writing and producing a TV pilot called Stronger about a musician/teacher who acts as a spiritual guide for those in his life. Rob Bell is someone who connects faith to the realities of life. Carlton Cuse was a huge part of the spiritual influence that permeated LOST. If they can avoid the trap of watering down the spirituality- or more likely resist the network’s pressure to do so- we may actually have what I have been looking for.

I am all for this effort. If I am going to sit around and complain about Glee every week, then I should be 100% behind people who come from the church wanting to create culture and not just criticize it. Who knows- maybe they could even talk Joseph Gordon-Levitt into playing the lead. I hope this show gets a fair shot, but until we know more about it, I think we have to give it some familiar odds- 50/50.

Peace
Dan