Forces of Nature. A Hollywood Jesus Movie Review.

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God's foreknowledge and predestination, inescapably bound up with human responsibility: it is that which makes for tragedy, as well as comedy.
-James I. Packer, David L. Jeffrey.

FORCES OF NATURE
(1999)

Review By David Bruce
Web Master HollywoodJesus.com
........................

CONSPICUOUS SIGN IN FORCES OF NATURE:
"Jesus is the truck to God's warehouse."
-A variation of John 14:6

Sandra Bullock: Sarah
Ben Affleck: Ben
Maura Tierney: Bridget
Steve Zahn: Alan
Blythe Danner: Virginia
Ronny Cox: Hadley
Directed by: Bronwen Hughes
Writing credits: Marc Lawrence
Produced by: Susan Arnold, Ian Bryce, Donna Roth

SYNOPSIS:
Ben (Ben Affleck) has two days to get from New York to Savannah for his wedding to Bridget (Maura Tierney). He has everything under control until an eccentric young woman named Sarah (Sandra Bullock) literally falls into his life… and atmospheric conditions become unstable. The first hint of disaster comes when Ben and Sarah's plane goes skidding off the runway. Ben inadvertently saves the life of his seatmate Sarah, and in return, she becomes his faithful traveling companion - whether he likes it or not. Things continue to "go south" as the two head south. Between the rental car nightmare, the train debacle, the bus fiasco and the hurricane, Ben has to wonder if somebody up there is trying to tell him something. If not, there are plenty of people on Earth who seem bent on sharing their doom and gloom views of marriage.

Panic doesn’t really set in until Ben realizes that he’s developing a definite attraction to the sexy and impetuous Sarah - and the feeling is decidedly mutual. It seems that humanity, machine and the forces of nature are conspiring to keep Ben from his vows, leaving him to wonder if this is some kind of cosmic test… and if it is, will he pass?

My review:

Pacific Data Images put together some very impressive moments in the film from beautiful storms, to falling rain, to slow motion hurricanes which contribute to an incredible sense of a cosmic dance in all that surrounds us.

Director Hughes wanted to create a sense of beauty even in the midst of chaos and PDI helped her do exactly that. It reminded me of the Genesis story where in the midst of primeval chaos, God said, "Let there be light ..and it was good."

There are many such "accidents" contained in the story. A real sense of destiny is achieved.

Sandra Bullock brings up some very perplexing theological issues. Just exactly how much in our lives does God control? Does God set up circumstances to help teach us what we need to learn? How much in life is fixed fate, free will, providence, or just plain coincidence. I know there is an interrelationship between all these realities. But, how it all works together is a very perplexing mystery.

I like to pay attention to the use of color in backgrounds and wardrobe. Director Hughes coordinated a great team of artist that caught her vision of all things working together to tell the story. Designer Zakowska is one of these artists who contribute to this extraordinary seamless film tapestry. Watch the changing wardrobe in this film, it helps tell the story, Ben is in the process of being stripped down (literally), whereas Sarah is in the process of being dressed up with new items. As Ben learns go nautural and to 'be real', Sarah learns to take on responsibility.

From directing Amy Grant videos and Harriett the Spy to Forces of Nature, director Hughes is really gifted. She achieves an incredible work of art where sky, background, characters and script all blend together and dance. One can feel a guiding presence throughout the film, as though all things are indeed working together for some common good. For me, she created a real sense of the presence of a loving God working along side of human freedom, choices and passion. I look forward to future work from this very bright, creative and important director.

The ending of the film adds a very profound dimension to otherwise simple and predictable tale. It is very true to the mystery of life and destiny.

Forces of Nature
connects to many of life's issues!
Quotes to ponder:

In Paradise Lost, John Milton writes of a group of devils who, sitting apart on a hill,

reasoned high
Of Providence, Foreknowledge,
Will and Fate
—Fixed fate, free will,
foreknowledge absolute,
And found no end,
in wandering mazes lost.
(2.557-61)

From Alexander Pope in his rational theodicy An Essay on Man:

All Nature is but Art,
unknown to thee;
All Chance, Direction,
which thou canst not see;
All Discord, Harmony not understood;
All partial Evil, universal Good.
(1.289-92)

In Hebrew scriptures comes this Proverb of King Solomon:

We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall. (Proverbs 16:33 NLT)

Also in Hebrew scriptures the prophet Isaiah says:

The Lord Almighty has sworn this oath: "It will all happen as I have planned. It will come about according to my purposes ...I have a plan for the whole earth, for my mighty power reaches throughout the world. The Lord Almighty has spoken—who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him?" (Isaiah 14:24-27 NLT )

VISITOR RESPONSES:

DIDN'T RELY ON AN INDULGENT STORYLINE
May 24, 1999.

Not the formulaic stuff that romantic comedies from Hollywood often are, I liked the way this movie dealt with the need for truth in relationships and the reality of both turbulent emotions and the pull of responsibility. It didn't rely (as many films do) on giving the viewer an indulgent, unrealistic storyline. I and my friend really enjoyed it and even found it an encouragement! –Raeburn