Shadowlands by Richard Attenborough (Review)
Being a huge C.S. Lewis fan, both of his “Narnia” books and his more “theological” works, I’d been meaning to see this movie for quite some time. Based on Lewis’ short, unexpected marriage and the subsequent death of his wife, the movie explores Lewis’ attempts to reconcile his writings on the topic of suffering with the reality of it.
I shouldn’t need to tell you that Anthony Hopkins gives a fine performance as Lewis, portraying a man whose carefully constructed and sheltered life comes crashing down around him once Joy Gresham (played by Debra Winger) comes into his life. At first, they seem like total opposites — “Jack” is an Oxford professor who spends his free time writing “children’s’ books” and engaging in esoteric debates with his colleagues whereas she’s a recently divorced mother whose bluntness and sharp wit often leaves the erudite professor fumbling for words — but Lewis finds himself inexorably drawn to her.
When they get married, it’s purely for technical reasons so that she can remain in Great Britain to build a new life after a painful divorce. But Lewis, who talks of love but has never experienced it, finds himself falling for a woman in ways he never thought possible. When she develops a terminal case of cancer, he finds himself having to face the fact that he may not be able to live up to the theology he espouses with such wit and clarity, i.e., that suffering is God’s tool, that it’s part of God’s purifying plan. Now caught in such straits, he finds himself recoiling from that idea.
Lewis constantly wonders how his wife’s impending death will purify him, and what purpose it will serve in his life, and the life of Joy’s son. Thankfully, the film doesn’t pander any easy, treacly answers (keeping in line with Lewis’ writings). There is hope and consolation that’s found — Lewis finds solace in Joy’s words, clings to the idea pain is part of the happiness we all feel, in this world at least — but never an easy resolution.
I always wonder when Christians complain that too few films of spiritual depth come out. I sometimes think they’re not looking hard enough. While Jack and Joy’s faith is never hounded on, it is ever-present, lurking in the background, coloring and enhancing their lives, from their courtship and marriage to the manner in which they deal with her impending death. It’s a subtle and tender film, and while all fans of Lewis’ work might benefit from it, I suspect that it’ll resonate a bit more with people of faith, if they take the time to seek it out.
