This is a review of the new movie THIS IS THE END starring Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogan. In this film, all of the actors play themselves. Jay and Seth go to a hollywood party at James Franco's house. The party is full of debauchery and in-fighting among the actors. Jay in particular has deep conflict with Jonah Hill, who is also at the party, and even the friendships between some of the actors are revealed to be petty, superficial, and false. During the party, Jay and Seth go out for a food run only to witness the Rapture, as all good and decent people are taken up into heaven. Those left are the selfish, the rotten, and the all around nasty people who care little for others.
Not surprisingly, they return to the party only to find the entire crew still living it up, unaware even of what is going on in the outside world. Soon the party is cut to pieces by various forces of evil, until only a few remain. Those few do what they can to try to find redemption, and some way to escape the world which has now fallen into Hell, and discover a path to Heaven. Some make it, others don't. I won't spoil which is which.
The film is exceedingly raunchy and violent, and I would not recommend it to or for anyone that is under 18 years of age. This is for adults only. The film was absolutely hilarious in parts. The way some of these guys throw each other under the bus is funny. They cannot fathom why they wouldn't be raptured, all the while doing things that reveal their underlying character.
What I liked was the commentary on redemption. This film elevated the comedy film medium, by trying to say something substantive about what it is like to be a decent human being. The vision of heaven was overly hedonistic, but the excitement about what it means to 'get in' was infection. Every time someone 'made it', I cheered. In the end, the characters can only find the way out by admitting who they really are and making a genuine attempt at change. Repentance becomes key in the film. Until the person confesses their sins and opens up about being an awful person, any way out is closed to them. They also have to find some path to self-sacrifice and to genuine caring about another. Love becomes the way of escape, in the film. The theme of self-sacrifice is particularly strong. Embracing a kind of 'death of self', the individual may find a path to salvation. The film's central theme really is 'you lose your life to find it'. In that sense, there is a strong Christian message here.
In reality, love isn't enough. We cannot 'earn' our way into heaven, either by good deeds nor by real internal transformation. All transformation, as well as all redemption, stems from the love of God and the pain of God. Jesus Christ is God reaching in and picking us up. But realizing that, knowing what God has done for you, really is an exciting and empowering realization, as it is in the film. There is an element of enlightenment in salvation, but God's saving act precedes it. So all in all, a good film, and a good message.
SPOILER ALERT
ReplyDeleteMy only issue with the piece is Emma Watson as one who was left behind. Really? Isn't she our new Julie Andrews equivalent? Unless she was drowning puppies as a pre-pubescent I'm not sure how that works. 'course she was a the debauched party but she was in none of the worst of it.
So yeah, maybe I just can't get over Hermione but it did seem odd.
The message was genuine I have to admit. I loved the real salvation only through real sacrifice.
Unfortunately my conception of heaven is hedonistic. Although I understand that any imagining of heaven is doomed to failure, it would certainly feel that way would it not? Pleasure beyond measure?
Not a bad flick. I especially liked that these actors didn't suddenly get a clue and know how to handle the fall of civilization. In fact their reactions and over-reactions seemed spot on.
Yea the Emma Watson thing got to me too. There seemed to be a lot of self-aware moments for the actors.
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