CAN A BAD FILM BE A GOOD FILM?
This film has received nothing but bad reviews. It is about terrorism and was made just before the 9-11 attack on America. The film was understandably put on the shelf and not released until June 2002. But, even if 9-11 had never happened, it still would have been a poor film. It was intended to be a suspenseful spy picture with comedic moments. Unfortunately, it is neither suspenseful nor funny. Too bad, especially when it has two great stars, a legendary producer and a well known director. One wonders what went wrong.

So, is there any thing good about this disastrous film?

Actually, yes!

It reflects some positive changes that have taken place in postmodern story telling.

Click to enlargeTHE ROLE OF WOMEN -AS FULLY HUMAN
This is a spy film, but unlike the airhead portrayals of women in the early James Bond spy films, et al, this film presents woman as intelligent, independent and fully human. Jake's girlfriend refuses to put up with Jake's unstable lifestyle and leaves him (good for her). The "seductress" (Garcelle Beauvais) is a successful no-nonsense business-woman (her seductress manner is due to a mistaken identity, she is NOT portrayed as a promiscuous bimbo). Finally, the woman CIA agent (Brooke Smith) is presented as quick, intelligent and with it.
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Click to enlargeCOMMITMENT OVER PROMISCUOITY
The main spy character, Jake Hayes, does not go to bed with umpteen nameless women (i.e. woman as meat). Rather, he is presented as being committed to one woman and does not yield to the temptation of another woman. In fact, we never see him in bed with anyone. Commitment is presented as the ideal in relationship. In the scene where a CNN reporter (Garcelle Beauvais) tries to seduce Jake, yet all he can think about is the woman he is committed to.

There has been a positive shift in the pop culture universe.

Click to enlargeMULTI-GENERATIONAL AND ETHNIC HARMONY
There are different types in this film, but they work together in harmony. Anthony Hopkins represents the older Boomer generation and Chris Rock embodies the Gen-X Hip Hop generation. The African American and European Anglo connection is obvious. The film plays with the differences in a humorous yet meaningful manner. It celebrates the differences, and models mutuality and respect. Ah, if only the world could learn and practice such harmony!

"What the world needs now is love sweet love."

I cannot express my gratitude enough to Hollywood for modeling harmonious relationships between the various races, genders and generations.

Writer Henry Miller once said some very shocking words, "It’s silly to go on pretending that under the skin we are all brothers. The truth is more likely that under the skin we are all cannibals, assassins, traitors, liars, hypocrites, poltroons."

While it is true that we all have, in certain ways, dark hearts, as Miller says, it is also true that human blood is all one color. We are all part of the human condition. We are all connected. And for this reason we need to be the best we can be for each other.

As the pop song goes,
"Come on people,
Smile on your brother,
Everybody get together,
Try to love one another right now."

Click to enlargeFATHER AND SON RELATIONSHIP
Biologically Gaylord and Jake are not father and son, but symbolically they are. In this way the film speaks to family relationships. Gaylord cannot relate in the least to Jake's Hip Hop world; and Jake is not at all in touch with Gaylord's world. Gaylord even tells Jake, "I don't believe in you." Nevertheless, Gaylord and Jake are committed to each other, in a "no matter what" sort of way.

Poet Robert Burns expressed it best: "To know that all people are family is not only to know that all people are alike, but to know that all people are different."

Again, the film scores high marks with me in terms of the important issue of relationship and commitment.

Click to enlargeFAITH AS NORMAL AND POSITIVE
Another positive feature of this film is the portrayal of faith. Jake's fiancée and her mother are churchgoers. They go to a church with a large illuminated cross above the front door that reads "Jesus Saves." The film portrays faith as a normal function in life. It was so refreshing to me to see this. In this context it gives the Christian Cross that Jake wears meaning.

Click to enlargeIS CONVERSION POSSIBLE?
Jake begins as a street hustler, until he is taken in by the CIA and transformed into a refined, well-cultured person. It reminded me of the original Le Femme Nikta story. Jake is converted and given a new name. To me this is symbolic of our conversion journey with God. God receives us as we are (grace) and changes us into the person we are intended to be (new birth), and gives us a new name -spiritually. Yes, conversion is possible. New birth can happen. There is an exciting new adventure set before us. We just need to let it happen.

"Thy will be done."