***
52 Weeks, 52 Religious Films***
“Well, if it's as simple as all that, why, I'll certainly give it a chance.”*“Now wait, Merrick! Don't try to use this unless you're ready for it! You can't just try this out for a week like a new car, you know! And if you think you can feather your own nest with it, just forget it. Besides, this is dangerous stuff. One of the first men who used it went to the Cross at the age of thirty-three...”
*
Not the conventional religious film I’ve seen the past four weeks, but Douglas Sirk’s
Magnificent Obsession is a very well shot and written story with religious subtext. In religious terms, the term “magnificent obsession” is in reference to the devotion to God. But in this film, it refers to Rock Hudson’s character Bob Merrick, striving to change for the better.
The film follows Bob Merrick (Rock Hudson), an irresponsible playboy who after attempting to reach top speeds in his boat, crashes it and needs a resuscitator to bring him back to life. They grab the only one in town, owned by surgeon Dr. Phillips, and revive him, but Dr. Phillips collapses at his home and dies due to the lack of a resuscitator. Merrick has to live with the guilt, and Dr. Phillips’ wife Helen gets into an accident that leaves her blind. When Merrick tries to payback Helen for being the reason she lost her husband, he falls in love with her. While Helen develops feelings as well, she doesn’t know that it’s Merrick.
I feel there’s multiple obsessions going on here with Bob Merrick. The first is Merrick feeling remorse for the pain he’s caused, and wants to fix things for those hurt, and for his own ego. The second obsession is his obsession with Helen Phillips. He falls in love with her quickly, which makes you question the real motive behind his good deeds. Would he have even cared if it weren’t for his love for Helen? And I think that’s where the religious aspect is prominent. As followers in Christ, do we do good deeds out of the goodness of our heart, or for the hope for a better future in Heaven? Or even just a desire to make a good impression on those around you?
This is a message that goes for non-believers as well, I think we’re all called to be good people, and we should be good people without expecting anything in return. I’m not asking for a change in personality (unless your personality is being a hateful person), but it’s never too late to bless one another as you would do yourself.
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