Book Review: Have a Little Faith

Have a little faith: a true story is a beautiful, gentle reflection on Mitch Albom's (the author's) spiritual journey as he gets to know two people who become highly significant in his life.

The story begins with Albom being approached by a Jewish rabbi who asks him to write his eulogy believing that, when the time came, he would know what to say. Albom realises that he is going to need to get to know the rabbi if he is going to write an authentic eulogy. So he spends the next eight years visiting the rabbi who becomes very influential in Albom's own spiritual journey.

Over the same period, the author also gets to know a man from a very different world and spiritual faith — a black ex-drug dealer and criminal who had spent years in prison and was now pastoring a Christian church in Detroit that was collapsing around the parishioners' ears due to profound poverty. But Albom is intrigued by this pastor whom he finds it difficult to trust, given his history, but who does so much to help those in need.

As Albom gets to know these two men, he has to move between two very different worlds — Christian/Jewish; African-American/white; poor/rich. As he does so he is "forced" to explore two very different approaches to faith and spirituality.

Have a Little Faith is a wonderful book. As Albom shares his friendships with these two men and meditates on the meaning of each for his own life and spiritual journey, we learn much of what it means to deeply respect a diversity of approaches to living one's life — how to deal with suffering; the nature of heaven; the role of forgiveness; doubt; and the role of faith. As Albom moves through his relationships he comes to see the unity in the diversity of the two faiths.

Ultimately, the title of the book becomes the one thing that Albom learns is at the heart of all faith — the fundamental need that all people have for believing in something greater than themselves. Have a Little Faith is a beautiful story, beautifully written, and deeply moving.

Book details
Albom, Mitch (2009), Have a Little Faith, Hyperion, New York. (Buy it here)

Technorati Tags: Have a Little Faith,spirituality,faith,religion

Movie Review: Invictus

Released: 2009

Go to IMDb page

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There is no doubt that Nelson Mandela is one of the truly great men in history. After spending 27years as a political prisoner he emerged to become the first black president of South Africa — a nation that was struggling to overcome its apartheid history.

There are many aspects of Mandela's political achievements that Clint Eastwood (Gran Torina, Million Dollar Baby) could have focused on for his movie Invictus. But, interestingly, he has chosen to tell us the story of how Mandela (Morgan Freeman) used rugby to unite the nation around a common goal. Calling on the captain of the national rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) Mandela indirectly encourages him to lead the team toward victory at the 1995 World Cup which South Africa hosted.

Invictus never quite rises to the heights it seems intended to. Sport does have, of course, the potential to unite a nation and this aspect of the movie is articulated well. However, the dramatic tension isn't enough to evoke the emotional engagement that a story like this should have.

Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon do a great job (especially Damon's tackling of the accent!). But the screenplay they have to work with is so formulaic that it is quite plodding. Certainly, Mandela won a great political victory with the country's winning of the cup and the way it brought people together in the moment. And there are some scenes where the tension between white and black are adequately played — particularly in the first part of the movie. But, overall, the screenplay was repetitive and lacklustre. This is one of those movies where the real history was more significant than this particular telling of it.

Positive Review
'It’s an exciting sports movie, an inspiring tale of prejudice overcome and, above all, a fascinating study of political leadership.' - A O Scott/The New York Times

Negative Review
'The result is earnest, admirable and more than a little dull -- a pedestrian movie about a remarkable subject.' - Rene Rodriguez/Miami Herald

Content Advice
Brief strong language

AUS: M
USA: PG-13

Technorati Tags: Invictus,apartheid,South Africa,rugby