Chocolat

Have just watched Chocolat - and no not just to see Jonny Depp - I didn't realise he was in it!

It's a film that people have mentioned to me before and recommended watching - so since I'm on a free trial thingy I thought I would!

I enjoyed it and I think it speaks powerfully about exclusion and being too stuck up our own noses to help people. Unfortunately it puts the church in a bad light. It makes it appear domineering and exclusive and as though Christians have no thought for others other than to make themselves look better. The priest geezer did shine through at the end though. He knew what he was talking about, he was just overpowered by the mayor.

It made me think about how I view others. Do I just look down from my high moral horse at the pitiful people around me, or do I refuse to let that stop me from helping others? Or do I have that in my mind as I help others? What are my priorities?

The film shows how cruel people can be emotionally and psychologically. How unwelcome and uncomfortable we can make new people, or different people feel. In fact that reminds me of one of my housemates today. She came in crying after a tiff with her boyfriend. Don't think I've ever heard someone cry so violently! She knows that her problems come from devoting all of herself to him, from being completely dependent on him. She also knows that she needs to socialise more and make more friends than just her housemates. But she refuses to. She doesn't like making friends. Therefore she's not going to. She said she only made friends with us because she was forced into the situation. (hmm.. that's actually quite insulting. Didn't think of that.) When people come round our house that she doesn't know, she completely gives them the cold shoulder and is insistant that they don't like her.

It makes me sad. I don't really know how to help except listen and pray. But God's a big guy!