Reviews
Conversations with God (2006)
Over the top! Entertaining, moving, and uplifting besides...it doesn't get any better than this!
If you've been wondering whether this movie accurately reflects the beloved book series, wonder no more. I can confirm it absolutely does...very effectively! I saw the movie last month (September 2006) at an advance screening in Minneapolis. Stephen Simon (producer/director) has artfully interwoven the message of the books with Neale Donald Walsch's story of homelessness, healing and unexpected acclaim. If that's enough to launch you in the direction of the nearest theater showing "CwG," you can stop right here. Or if you'd like to hear more, keep on reading.
I'd never claim to be unbiased in my enthusiastic endorsement of this movie. Here's why: I met both Stephen and Neale during my years of working with WISDOM TV/Media Group (DISH Network, Ch. 264). I took an 8-week spiritual cinema telecourse from Stephen. And I worked a book signing for Neale after he wrote "Friendship with God." It was great to chat with both of them again in Minneapolis. As beings of compassion and integrity, Stephen and Neale just get better with the years. And I came home with a CD of the signature soundtrack (composed especially for the film by Emilio Kauderer) and an autographed copy of a beautiful coffee table book about the making of the movie (in Ashland, OR).
"Conversations with God" is wonderfully entertaining, dramatically moving, and oh-so-uplifting! Getting lost in our heads (a great way to retreat from the edge of our comfort zone) won't serve us here, or do justice to the incredible gift of this movie. Giving our hearts (and our imaginations) permission to let Neale's story become our own, if only for the 109 minutes this movie takes, just might. It did for me. I love abstract ideas, and I'm sure a lot of you out there do too. In this case, let the art of the movie do its own communicating...there's no way it won't! The movie is fabulous in its cinematics and message.
In his treatment of Neale's life story, Stephen also crafted a powerful cinematic statement about homelessness. It reflects Neale's real-life practice of compassion toward the homeless because of his own painful experience. (As Neale said to the audience after the screening, tongue-in-cheek, "You never know which next bestselling author you might be helping.") When Stephen asked Neale before production began what, in the end, his "CwG" experience had done for him, he replied, "It gave me back to myself." That this gift was a direct result of that down-and-out time in Neale's life is just one piece of the larger miracle. In case any of you remember Canadian actor Henry Czerny's name from the movie "Mission Impossible" (1996) or "Clear and Present Danger" (1994), his performance here as Neale is spectacular!
When you see the movie, I think you'll love Stephen's sensitive use of special effects to portray "giving Neale back to himself." These days the term "special effects" often means the slam-bam, shock-and-awe images of action films. Here Stephen demonstrates how such techniques can create incredibly tender effects with a goal 180 degrees from that. Check out his Spiritual Cinema Circle websites at www.spiritualcinemacircle.com; www.spiritualcinemanetwork.com...and treat yourself to a special night out at the movies!
Cheers, Mary