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A service to parents and grandparents
MAR20097
Mercy Streets (2000), (PG-13)
CAP Score: 76
CAP Influence Density: 0.48
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A service to parents and grandparents MAR20097 Mercy Streets (2000), (PG-13) CAP Score: 76 CAP Influence Density: 0.48 |
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SUMMARY / COMMENTARY: *MERCY STREETS* (PG-13) -- wrought with violence but Scripturally accurate. Episcopalian Deacon and soon to be ordained Jeremiah (David White) has a twin brother, John (David White) separated from him at the age of 14. John was beat up and thrown off a bridge (not seen) as Jeremiah looked on while in hiding from the same hoods. Under the acidic pressure of self-persecution Jeremiah, believing he could have saved John, tortured himself for years as his brother's murderer. While Jeremiah chose the clergy, John chose crime [Hab. 2:12]. Though this movie is wrought with violence and freckled with a couple other matters of ignominy, it presents Scripturally accurate accountings of God's Grace and how He might move in our lives. After getting out of prison, John commits to going straight. But in the parking lot awaits Rome (Eric Roberts), a cohort in crime of John's past. Holding things over John's head, Rome convinces John to go for it "one more time" for half a million dollars in a counterfeiting swindle [Prov. 1:10]. In a series of mishaps, the lives of the two brothers again touch. Jeremiah is mistaken for John and becomes wrapped up in doing the right things (attempting to save or protect others) for the wrong reasons (criminal activities). John gets entangled with Jeremiah's girlfriend. And this would be easy to do since there is no superficial difference between the brothers except for a scorpion tattoo. Guess which one has the tattoo? And there is a real treat when John must to stand in Jeremiah's place at the pulpit. The compatriot in crime with Rome appeared to be as covered with tattoos as Ray Bradbury's "Illustrated Man." Such is definitely not a positive influence. Lev. 19:28 states "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." We are perplexed regarding Lev 19:28 which speaks of the Lord giving instructions to Moses to share with the Israel people to prohibiting behavior that emulates the pagans. I have no evidence by observing this actor that he was trying to emulate the pagans by making an obvious expression of arrogance or rebellion against rightful dominion and authority. So I cannot justify incorporating this display as a sin in the cap model. The CAP model used to assume all tattoos to be effrontery but how about the sailor who had "Mom" tattooed on his forearm? That is hardly impudence. How about the infantryman who had his girlfriend's name tattooed on his forearm inside a heart with some swirls and a rose or two? If I could have determined whether the tattoos on the actor were displaying evil or hate or sex, etc., I would certainly be justified in incorporating this matter into the model. But no such evidence was given. However, if this actor is saved I doubt there will be any tattoos when he is reunited with his body at the Rapture. But that is speculation, not Scripture. At least you now know about the tattooed man in *Mercy Streets* so you make make you own informed decisions whether it is suitable for you or your kids. In the front of the show as Jeremiah practices for a sermon on the genealogy of Jesus, his girlfriend Samantha (Cynthia Watros) and his roommate, Tex (Sheik Mahmud-Bey), a city cop, watch on ... until Tex dozes. In respect for the office of pastor Samantha keeps waking Tex as she dutifully attends her boyfriend's sermon. Both Samantha and Tex chime like tubular bells about Jeremiah's sad delivery of a topic if spiritual energy. In his constructive criticism of Jeremiah's delivery, the script writers artfully work in how Jesus saved Tex from a life of crime [Ps. 25:15, Ps. 40:2]. Once Rome realizes that "John" is Jeremiah instead, the topic of God comes up. And a rather long sequence of rationale for questioning and placing the self above God gave me concerns -- concerns that observers who are still confused or are borderline regarding a personal relationship with God may glean false energy or masked and counterfeited justification to favor the evil side in spiritual battles [Gal. 6:7]. While those knowledgeable in the mystery of the Gospel and understanding of the Scriptures will immediately mentally launch counters for every ill-founded point, those who are new to or undecided about His Perfect Word will undoubtedly find merit in the secular argumentation. Isn't that one of the adversary's best tools? Attacking the sick who are vulnerable, not the healed who are protected by the Blood? Additional ignominy used in this PG-13 (which should have been a PG) were but one instance of sexual nature as a woman's anatomy ghosts through some thin clothing, one instance of drinking (wine), at least six instances of smoking, two uses of God's name in vain but without the four letter expletive, and two uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary with several crude expressions. But the list of violent matters [Prov. 3:31] is far too lengthy to summarize and I leave them to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model. 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. FINDINGS / SCORING: 
NOTE: Multiple occurrences of each item described below may be likely, definitely when plural. Wanton Violence/Crime (W): Impudence/Hate (I)(1): Sex/Homosexuality (S): Drugs/Alcohol (D): Offense to God (O)(2): Murder/Suicide (M)(3):  |
