47th Favorite Movie - Dead Man Walking

When I was working with the college and young adult group at First Covenant Church, we began a monthly gathering called “Fade to Light” where we watched a spiritually rich film and discussed it afterwards. The first film that we saw was Dead Man Walking.

Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn and Tim Robbins (who directed) all were nominated for their work on this film. The only winner was Susan Sarandon, for playing the real-life nun Sister Helen Prejean. Sean Penn plays a convict on death row named Matthew who gradually warms to her care and counsel. In both life and the film, Sister Helen is one of the only people to think of Matthew as a person and not a “mistake of God” that needs to be executed. When her family and friends question why she is spending so much time with someone who committed such heinous crimes she responds, “Jesus says a person is worth more than their worst act.”

Sister Helen’s style of ministry is contrasted with that of the prison chaplain, who tells her, “you can save him by getting him to receive the sacraments before he dies – this is your job, nothing more, nothing less.” Sister Helen sees much more in her job then simply getting Matthew to perform a ritualistic acceptance of salvation. She hopes Matthew will find true reconciliation with God and the families of his victims, which she believes can only happen through spending time with him.

Dead Man Walking is the rare film that features a positive portrayal of a Christian. In most cases today, the Christian character in a film is judgmental or pious or two-faced or harbors more hate than love. Sister Helen, however, is the walking embodiment of love –
she writes, visits, defends, counsels, and prays for Matthew as well as his family and the families of his victims. She never puts on a “holier than thou attitude” but is genuine and honest with everyone she encounters. She also shows vulnerability in the face of adversity - in one scene, she excuses herself from counseling Matthew to go into the bathroom and plead with God for guidance on what to say next.

In Sister Helen, I found an example of who I want to be as a minister. She cares so deeply and consistently for everyone around her, including the underprivileged children in her neighborhood that she invites over to play board games. I should also point out that her book changed my views on the death penalty. Now, not only do I believe that every person matters to God, but that expensive trials and lengthy back-ups on death row demonstrate that taking the life of another is not something that we are equipped to do.

Next week’s film will be on the lighter side, I promise...