I was very moved by the new Jamie Foxx movie, The Kingdom. In some ways it reminded me of Casablanca - which I recently saw for the first time with Mosaic's movie connect group. Both movies speak to the powerful political issues of our times - one in the 1940's over WW II and the other over Muslim terrorist bombings of our current day. "The Kingdom" is what Saudi Arabia is referred to as the biggest oil-producing country in the world - which sells to the U.S. (the largest oil-consuming country in the world). The movie painted a very clear picture of each side's values of life and their dedication to God or Allah. "Does God/Allah love your wife more than mine?" is a powerful quote from the movie.A team of FBI investigators travel to Saudi Arabia to investigate a bombing of a compound where Americans live. In addition to the controversy between the FBI director and the Attorney General over sending the team to investigate, there is tension between the Saudi government, state police and military. The Kingdom was very realistic, well written, and superbly acted. It stars Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, and Jason Bateman as the FBI investigative team.
As the movie begins, it's easy to take the American side and believe that we are right/good and they are bad/evil. However, as the movie progresses, the Saudi in charge of the state police moves from being an apparent hindrance to a trusted ally and friend. By the end of the movie, I was left with many tears and much sadness over what a broken world this really is and that everyone is created by the same God to live a life filled with love and joy . . . to have family and friends. It's so easy to see only one side or the other - it takes humility, subjectivity, and spiritual maturity to see it from both sides and not point the finger at either. The Kingdom is very highly recommended.
Copyright 2008, Mike Todd
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