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A service to our youth through you, their parents and grandparents, in His name by His Word MAR22054 Hollywood Ending (2002), PG-13 Analysis Date: May 18, 2002 CAP Score: 44 CAP Influence Density: 1.09 MinMax: -100 |
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HOLLYWOOD ENDING (PG-13) -- And Woody Allen certainly has a way with word. Distributed by: DreamWorks SKG Director(s): Woody Allen Producer(s): Letty Aronson, Charles H. Joffe, Helen Robin, Jack Rollins, Stephen Tenenbaum Written by: Woody Allen Cinematography/Camera: Wedigo von Schultzendorff Film Editing: Alisa Lepselter Casting: Laura Rosenthal, Juliet Taylor Art Direction: Tom Warren Boxart©DreamWorks SKG  Another Woody Allen shenanigan with his typical almost irritating speech mannerisms. And Woody Allen certainly has a way with word -- God's name in vain, specifically. Thirty-four times. None with the four letter expletive, but used in vain nonetheless. Every time. This movie is a perfect example of the shav' (Strong's 07723, "shawv") or empty use of His name of which God warns us [Deut. 5:11]. Screaming that he has two Oscars while filming a deodorant commercial in frozen tundra, Val Waxman (Woody Allen) barks to his agent Al (Mark Rydell) that he needs something more. Something more does come but in a ragged package. In the offices of Galaxy Pictures run by Hal (Treat Wiliams) who stole Val's wife Ellie (Téa Leoni) [Ex. 20:17, Deut. 5:21], who is now a producer for Galaxy Pictures and engaged to Hal, live-in style [1 Cor. 7:1-2]), shows a soft spot for her ex as the Galaxy team discusses a new $60 million movie, "The City That Never Sleeps" (meaning NYC). But all is not lost in Val's loss to Hal. Val has a live-in pal named Lori (Debra Messing) who is apparently using sex to get parts in Waxman's movies [Prov. 7:25]. In the Galaxy office, Ellie demands that Waxman direct the movie since he is the best one for such a story since he has New York in his blood ... and since Ellie is the boss's paramour. Reluctantly, Hal gives the director chair to Val. Val, Hal, Al. I wonder if that was intended? All seems to be going well until the first day of shooting the film - the first "daily." Val becomes psychosomatically blind. How is a director to direct the shooting of a movie if he is blind? Begins the pretense, the intricate and tangled web of lies, deceit and trickery [Rev. 21:8]. Since Val does not want to get fired, he uses people as his "eyes." First to be Val's "eyes" is his agent, Al. But the shooting is a closed set. Al is not permitted. Next is the Chinese camerman's interpreter, a student working his way through college. Then Ellie becomes trapped into the web of deceit. Each had to be adept at lying. Each had to convince those around Val that he was not blind. Even one of the stars of the movie tried to seduce Val for personal gain but the writers of Hollywood Ending had Val's blindness as the reason he did not submit [Eph. 5:3] The movie gets made but according to Hal, it is a $60 million waste. Val gets fired. The reviews are deplorable -- but the French love it. By this time Ellie and Val had gotten back together and they both trot off to France. A low-grade comedy/romance with a few funny one-line snippets and little romance value, but filled with enough inappropriate programming to make it another R-13. The only violence noted in Hollywood Ending was a fall Val took as he stepped blind off a 2nd floor stage set. And there were no murders or suicides. But in addition to a ton of the use of God's name in vain there were matters such as cohabitation out of wedlock, encouragements to lie, lying, offers of sex, homosexual presences, admission of illegal drug use and excusing arrogance and rebellion with "self-expression." The list goes on ... in the Findings/Scoring section. SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ]. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page. *******Food for Thought******* As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie. |
 Wanton Violence/Crime (W): Impudence/Hate (I)(1): Sex/Homosexuality (S): Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O)(2): Murder/Suicide (M)(3): |
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| NOTE: The CAP Analysis Model makes no scoring allowances for trumped-up "messages" to excuse or for manufacturing of justification for aberrant behavior or imagery, or for camouflaging such ignominy with "redeeming" programming. Disguising sinful behavior in a theme plot does not excuse the sinful behavior of either the one who is drawing pleasure or example from the sinful display or the practitioners demonstrating the sinful behavior. This is NOT a movie review service. It is a movie analysis service to parents and grandparents to tell them the truth about movies using the Truth. |
| "There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our nearly seven years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings. |
