Greetings,
Due to some recent problems I've been having in my life, I thought I could gain some blessings by blessing others. Others, like anyone who may read this, and I thought I'd do it through one of my movie reviews. This one, though, is something that I find very inspirational as a Christian, but I believe it can affect even someone who is not. It's a movie called The Last Sin Eater.
Now this movie is actually based on the book of the same name by Francine Rivers that came out in 1998. I am in the middle of reading this book myself. I cannot believe it took me so long to get around to it, since I've loved the movie for quite a while. It was written after the author heard about the old tradition of "the sin eater" that was practiced in Appalachia by early settlers from Europe. The sin eater is a person chosen in the village to absolve the sins of a deceased person by taking them upon himself. Does anyone else feel extreme pity for that man?
The story in this movie centers around a ten year old girl named Cadi Forbes, played flawlessly by a young actress named Liana Liberato. At the funeral of her beloved grandmother, she meets eyes with the sin eater of their village, something that is strictly forbidden. Afterwards, word gets around about what she has done, and she also begins to be accompanied by a little girl she befriends named Lilybet. But another family tragedy that happened before the most recent death weighs more heavily on her than anything. Feeling rejected by her mother because of past acts, Cadi seeks out the sin eater to take away her sins early so that she can move on. She fails to have the act completed, and, during a dramatic second attempt to escape her pain, she comes into contact with someone who is simply known as a Man of God. He is portrayed here by an all grown up Henry Thomas, who is absolutely brilliant in this small but powerful role.
Cadi shares her story with the man, as well as their tradition of the sin eater, and he tells her of another sin eater named Jesus. After accepting this new belief, Cadi runs from the river with Lilybet, joyfully proclaiming about how free she feels and goes to tell some of her closest friends about what she has discovered. Unfortunately, not everyone is pleased with the visiting man of God, mainly Brogan Kai, the leader of the cove and the father of Cadi's best friend. He goes to great lengths to keep this new message far from his people.
The movie culminates with everyone gathering together, including the sin eater, because it was his tolling bell that brought the people there. A multitude of secrets are revealed that night going back decades from when the settlement was first established. They all realize that, when they are no longer burdened by all these secrets, they can finally put themselves on the road to freedom and redemption.
Besides the main story of the Cadi, there is also a beautiful, yet tragic love story between the sin eater, whose real name is Sim, and a woman named Bletsung, whom he has been separated from since he was given this unfortunate destiny. Also, there is a wonderful performance by Louise Fletcher as Miz Elda, an elderly confidant of Cadi's and, for all the CSI:NY fans, you'll recognize A.J Buckley playing Cadi's father, Angor. Or maybe you won't since this role is quite different from that one, but still wonderfully portrayed.
Now, despite the obvious Christian theme here, I don't think this movie shoves it down anyone's throat. It tells the true message of Christ the best way that it can be done, with love and understanding, but above all, the truth. And whether people like it and accept it or not, it is the truth. All those "stories" from the Bible did happen, and the power in them is as real today as it ever was. There is a loving, forgiving, yet very holy God waiting for each and every person to come to Him. I do my best to live every day not making Him want to regret the decision to give up His Son for us. I hope He looks at me and smiles. I know that when I think of how blessed I and all of us have been to have had Jesus "eat" our sins, I smile, too, to the depths of my soul.
As much as I love this movie, I am looking forward to getting through the book. I've already been inspired enough to write some songs based on the events of this story. I just hope I can share them one day with Ms. Rivers and make her proud.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
