Little Black Book

LINKS
—Overview
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections

The question asked and answered at the beginning of this movie is, “How does a girl who falls, actually jumps, headlong into a rabbit hole, plunging herself into chaos, come out unchanged? The answer is: She doesn’t.�

Sadly, plunging one’s self into chaos is not what comes to mind when I think of this movie. As I write, it has been several weeks since I saw the film, and the only word that comes to mind is “betrayal.� Let me be clear, however, I don’t think it was intended to be about betrayal. The writer likely hoped to explore the dangers of searching for the often misinterpreted “truth� and of trying to unravel the “unknowns� that plague our curiosity. The main character, Tracy Holt (Brittany Murphy), discovers that mistrust, betrayal, and lies can backfire. Although she does not begin as a jealous, conniving person, her search for “answers� changes her into something horrible.

While I like the movie’s MAJOR twist at the end, I do not like the final lesson that Tracy learns. Tracy delivers the conclusion of the story when she says, “Life happens somewhere between planning, chance and the peace that comes from knowing you can’t know it all.� Although this lesson is practical for the theme, it avoids the heart of the issue: people. People are important and their lives are not to be taken lightly.

Despite Brittany Murphy’s convincing performance, I question how anyone (even a main character in a film) could possibly make so many bad decisions without ever trying to do the right thing. Worse, after her actions cut her friends to the core, she displays very little repentance at all. Rather than acknowledging the suffering she causes everyone and expressing regret, she justifies her actions by claiming that there is some credibility to her doubt. This ending registers as a disappointing cop out after two hours of feeble-minded decision making. It lacks the conviction, and even guilt, that should arise from completely betraying another person’s trust, love and wishes.

Now, many people reading this may argue, “If I hadn’t snooped, I would never have known my partner was cheating on me.� Untrue. Lies and deceptions eventually rise to the surface like the dross from melted gold: it may have looked pure, but it is revealed to be full of impurities. Infidelity cannot be hidden forever. The issue here is whether or not to choose honesty and integrity during a season of doubt. Why couldn’t Tracy just confront him? (To be fair, she does try to confront him once, but he declines. However, with persistence, most people will talk.) Why not act with integrity and behave “above the bar?�

Maybe I’m being too harsh. I don’t think this movie could have been made if people didn’t sneak around behind each others’ backs to find out “answers.� Hundreds of thousands of private investigators are employed every year because of peoples’ lack of trust in one another. However, that doesn’t change the importance of choosing higher ground. It is important for each of us to choose the noblest action and walk with integrity when it comes to dealing with other human beings. Lies and deceptions will make themselves known without our help. And then there’s prayer . . . I believe God answers prayer. If someone suspects a partner or a teenage child of lying, it is better to pray that God reveal the truth than to dirty our own hands for quick answers. Here are some thoughts from the Word of God:

1 Peter 1:14 – As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be Holy, because I am holy.�

1 Peter 2:21 & 22 – To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.�

James 5:16 – The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

1 Thess. 5:22-24 – Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

As for plot, this story delivers at the end. As for theme, I’m not so sure. Despite its basic adequacy for concept purposes, the film departs on a self-centered tone. Tracy’s lesson makes her wiser, but it does not make her more compassionate. People are our greatest asset. We should treat one another with the highest respect, even if they aren’t returning the favor. Just ask Christ, He lived it.

LINKS
—Overview
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film
—Spiritual Connections