Inspiration and ideals are at the cinema

My previous post looked at how actors and stars can be romanticized and idealized by their screen roles and the movies they are in. Yet in being that, they may shine light on an ideal or ideals.

Ideals may be hard to attain in life, but the movies have been putting them out there.

As I mentioned in the previous post, certain stars represented certain ideals. Henry Fonda in 12 Angry Men, as the jury member who was not status quo, but who was onto something in giving the person on trial a fair chance at justice. That took courage.

Ideals may be hard to attain. Yet they do have their appearances in life, despite the imperfections and fragility of the human condition.

Stars and movie actors may move us towards certain ideals, in spite of the inadequacy of the human condition.

In pointing people towards ideals, movie actors may be doing more good than they think if we take some of those themes seriously.

In this together

Actors and stars are not the only vehicles for inspiration. Screenwriters, directors, and producers may be reaching others with their stories and messages.

Some call this a mysterious way of the world—a story transforms someone’s inner motivation. Then, viewers find they are inspired to follow the ideals the story presents.

Things like to love your enemy. How to Train Your Dragon (2010, USA) was an innocuous family animation, but pointed families towards that ideal. Love your enemy has its origins with Jesus.

Ideals are not so remote to the everyday movie goer. They can be taken on board.

Movie stars and actors can represent many ideals and messages as audiences are able to latch onto.

In fact, a movie is where the world is your oyster: so much potential for uncovering ideals and themes.