Wow, this message board is blank.
I find it sad when I'm one of first handful of bloggers to post a message about a movie.
I liked this movie, but, I'm not sure the thing I liked most about it is what other people liked about it.
Someone at the American Zion boards suggested that it was easy to see what the message of this movie was (as compared to American Zion).
So, everybody, what message do you get from this film?
The strongest message that I get is that when governmental and church leaders, whose jobs and/or callings include the responsibility to protect their constituents / flocks, decide to withhold important information of a life and death nature from you, aspiciously to keep you blissfully ignorant of knowing that dark, sinister, something, the pricetag on that silence can be very high.
shareOne of the messages I get from the film Brigham City, BFC, is that the atonement of Jesus Christ did not only pay for the suffering resulting from sin, but from suffering in a general sense. When the Sheriff realized he had shot someone in self-defense,and that he had not been able to prevent the murders in and near his town, he felt deep, deep pain. He learned how all-encompassing and personal the atonement is.
Incidentally, and somewhat ironically, you can find insight into Brigham City and its messages or themes from bloggers on Dutcher's upcoming film "States of Grace" (aka God's Army 2: States of Grace) IMdb board.
Check it out...
Yes - I'm one of those who has posted about Brigham City on the States of Grace message board. We need a board just to discuss Dutcher.
I agree with notyourordinarymoviecritic...
Brigham City is about the atonement. I think many people miss that because they get caught up in the "murder mystery" aspect of the film. Who would have thought that a murder mystery could carry a strong lesson on the atonement? That is the beauty of Dutcher's talent.
One thing I love about this movie is that I don't think you really "get" the message until the very last scene (or maybe I'm just slow - a good possibility). The last scene, the sacrament scene, was just so amazingly powerful. No dialogue. No music. Just the realization that an entire congregation has come to understand the atonement or has gained a vastly improved understanding of the atonement. Makes me cry even after repeated viewings.
Yeah, jeffwcos,
I remember you. And no, you are not slow. Richard Dutcher is an excellent craftsman. He crafts Brigham City so carefully that the full impact of the REAL message of the film is not realized until the denouement in the sacrament meeting scene. It's ironic that I just read your post right now this evening of October 31st at about 8:10 pm. Just a couple of minutes ago, I began watching Brigham City, again.
Maybe one day we'll have to have a Dutcher Brigham City Fan Club Party. But it wouldn't be bad to put up a board just to discuss dutcher. In fact, I think if you type his name in the search, there are boards that not only discuss movie productions, but directors and actors, as well.
Gotta run...
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."--Albert Einstein
I'll look forward to our discussions on States of Grace. Any ideas about future movie projects for Dutcher?
shareOne time I recall Dutcher speaking in person at UVSC in Orem, UT just after the theatrical release of God's Army. He had a Q and A session at the end of his address. One question was on what kind of movie projects he had planned for the future.
He spoke of how he didn't want to limit himself just to stories about LDS places and people. He also wanted to do faith based stories in general. One idea was a story revolving around a Baptist minister of Catholic priest--I can't remember which. Perhaps States of Grace employs some of those story lines, as the movie represents various faiths, races, backgrounds converging because "coincidence" has brought a variety of people together. I'm anticipating that States of Grace will even exceed the impact of Brigham City and garner even more widespread critical acclaim. I can't wait to see it in theatres. Brigham City and the space inbetween has kept many Dutcher fans hungering for a long time.
Have you ever heard Dutcher speak in person?
It's quite fascinating. I came away from the meeting spiritually rejuvenated and excited about life. It was a very spiritual/emotional experience just to hear him speak. That comes through in his movie productions, as you well know--the spiritual/emotional aspect.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."--Albert Einstein
Never heard him speak - but if he came to Colorado, I'd likely drop everything to be there.
shareYeah! Colorado? I have two brothers that live in the suburbs of Denver.
The latest report I heard on States of Grace was from a blogger named RSego. His comment is on the States of Grace message board. RSego saw a premiere last night at the Jordan Commons theatre complex, which is located in the Salt Lake Valley area. Larry Miller owns them, I think. Miller owns the Utah Jazz, several auto dealerships and helped fund States of Grace...anyway, he's one of the wealthiest Utahns, and he is a practicing Latter-day Saint.
You can look up the comment but RSego basically wrote that he had seen the premeire at Jordan Commons last night (tues.) and added, "You'll not be disappointed. This is a beautiful film."
I thought, "What a great compliment to describe a film as 'beautiful.'!"
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."--Albert Einstein
Brigham City is about the atonement. I think many people miss that because they get caught up in the "murder mystery" aspect of the film. Who would have thought that a murder mystery could carry a strong lesson on the atonement? That is the beauty of Dutcher's talent.