MovieChat Forums > Fearless (1993) Discussion > Bridges IS Jesus...

Bridges IS Jesus...

posted 21 years ago by niall-mcmahon
28 replies | jump to latest

I added this to another thread but figured maybe it was worth its own.
I think one interpretation of the film is that Jesus acts through Bridges character. My evidence is:
1. On the plane - he touches the hands of people and only those people survive the crash.
2. The spitting on the dirt piece, like Jesus giving sight to the blind as has been quoted elsewhere.
3. (Who spotted this?) The wound to his side - his only injury from the crash and exactly where Jesus received the spear wound on the cross.
Maybe it's just me...?

[–] dannich 20 years ago

It has been a long time since I've watched this film, and I am now intrigued to see it again to watch for these things.
Being a seminary student, I am always interested to see the Christ-like take on characters that Hollywood portrays. It reveals what they seem to think of Him. (for example: one of the purposes of life is NOT to die... i.e. God has no favor upon you if you happen to die in an accident).

Thanks for the insight!

Dan.

[–] chickyfornia 20 years ago

interresting points, but Mr. Bridges character doesn't believe in God. Jesus does. do you still think he represents Jesus, just because of what you mentioned? its possible im just wondering, wanted to bring that fact to the table.

[–] protolexis 20 years ago

Bridges doesn't have to believe in God in order to be Jesus. Watch the movie "jesus' son" and you'll know what I mean.

"Join the army, see the world, meet interesting people - and kill 'em." - Woody Allen

[–] heroinhotwater 20 years ago

Bridges character being an architecht (carpenter) was what made the Bridges/Jesus connection apparent to me.

[–] girlgoingplaces 20 years ago

Well I thought the architect part was significant because of Jesus/God having a conceiving a thought of the earth/life/church/whatever and drawing it to be carried out by mankind.

Also the part where he says "come follow me and i will show you the light" when he leads people out of the plane was almost an exact quote of the Jesus' words I believe.

Am I the only one who picked up on this- but isn't the grieving woman who lost her son like Mary? Her son died, and her husband is a carpenter.

And the part where Bridges' character says they have both known what death is like- I believe that is what it would have been like for Mary to see Jesus die on the cross. That is why I thought Bridges' character was going to die at the end- because he had to return to God, but then it was even better since he lived again, like Jesus lives on.

Oh- new thought- that group meeting of the survivor's was like a meeting of the apostles after Jesus died- they are all lost, confused, and end up fighting. Bridges' character isn't present but they recount of what he meant to them all.

I saw the movie two nights ago, now I want to rewatch it and get that quote about the soul.

[–] bad_habitt 20 years ago

very interesting observations. however very poignant film.

"how about... a royal flush!" *loren avedon kicks a cauldron of boiling water into the bad guys*

[–] Texrat 19 years ago

Outstanding observations. I completely missed those cues!

[–] demetrischristodoulides 20 years ago

you wrote :

3. (Who spotted this?) The wound to his side - his only injury from the crash and exactly where Jesus received the spear wound on the cross.

The wound on the actor is on his left side. The wound on Jesus Christ was on His right side and below the one in the movie.

thanx,
Demetris Christodoulides

[–] sirensotitan 20 years ago

The wound on Max is on his right side. It's reflected in the mirror onto his left side.

[–] zonedon 20 years ago

How's this for a spin: It's really about addiction & recovery, and the spritual "rebirth" that must take place before one can truly recover.

1) Immediately after the plane crashes, there is a close-up of a liquor bottle rolling across the pavement
2) Bridges' character is "found" after the crash, shut in a darkened & messy motel room, not unlike someone who has been on a terrible bender.
3) The multitude of Jesus references are actually there to make the OPPOSITE point: none of us is immortal, and when we behave as if we are (as a true, self-centered, self-destructing alcoholic IS doing, albeit in a rather perverse fashion), then we are trying to play God. When we think we are God, we are in trouble...

When we behave in this extreme self-centered "I AM God" fashion, our lives are by default on a collision-course with all of those around us. Alcoholics/addicts are often described as "tornados" tearing through the lives of others with wreckless, destructive force (there's a scene with Isabella Rossellini & John Turturro at the dance school with the tornado reference).

We can't be "right-sized," we have to be greater-than or less-than all others. Only by getting out of ourselves; by helping others, "being of service" for selfless reasons, THEN we can be "whole" spiritually. This is the journey our protagonist must make. He must both help others for the right reasons and "re-visit" another near-death experience to understand his own mortality. He HAS to react to the strawberry "allergy" at the end of the movie (alcoholism is often characterized as an allergy, and, like Jeff with the strawberry, an alcoholic or an addict who continues to indulge even with overwhelming evidence that it may kill him is engaging in the ultimate "dance with death."). Only by facing our own mortality can we appreciate the value of life. Alcoholics/addicts in recovery like to say "religion is for those who don't want to go to hell; spirituality is for those who have been there and don't want to go back."

Am I nuts, or did anyone else get this???

[–] pbl1 19 years ago

you're nuts. you're reading way too much into the addiction angle. personal agenda perhaps.

as is posted, this film is about life, faith, jesus (metaphorically), and PTSD need to feel alive. it is not about addiction/alcoholism, even allegorically

[–] Texrat 19 years ago

The previous comments were mere nitpicking anyway. The symbolism is what's important.

[–] hayblade-1 19 years ago

i dont think the character max was meant to be a personification of jesus christ, but i think its more of a literary allusion, i mean afterall the bible is the most borrowed from piece of literature of all time. but there are definately many parallels, i mean look at the cover art of the movie, its pretty obvious it bears a comparison to biblical images of jesus. but that just gives us a point of refrence, he is a "savior" and a "good samaritan" - many many more refrences, but this doesnt mean he IS christ, it just gives us instant insight to his character. just as finneas did from a seperate piece ect...

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ijonesiii 19 years ago

I have to admit that your theory does hold some water, but if it is true, why would the Bridges character completely distance himself from wife Rossellini and his boys? Was his time with Carla his own Gethsemane maybe?

[–] xredgarnetx 19 years ago

I stand in awe. I never thought of the Jesus symbolism. I don;t think it is just you at all.