Which leads me to the faith elements: in Madeline L’Engle’s book, while not overtly “Christian” has quite a few Christian references and themes, noticeably quoting scripture a few times. You will not find this in the movie. Mrs. Which, who communicates by using famous quotes, harkens the words of Ghandi, for instance, and the movie can feel a little “one with the universe”-y at times.
But parents, none of it is BAD. Honestly, if you and your kids like fantasy (and we all know Narnia is fantasy and totally #StuffChristiansLike), you will like this movie AND you will easily be able to use it to talk about spiritual things with your kids. One thing that is still, after forty years of life, sometimes hard for me to accept, grasp, and realize is that spiritual warfare is REAL. The Bible tells us it is multiple, multiple times. Ephesians literally tells us to SUIT UP FOR BATTLE by putting on the Armor of God every single day, and still we don’t get it. Yet, once the action got going in A Wrinkle In Time, it was ALL I could think about. Spiritual warfare, man. Meg’s battle to rescue her father (and soon, her younger brother who becomes trapped by the evil force known as IT), is 100% spiritual warfare. DuVernay, her talented crew, and actors, bring spiritual warfare to life in this film, and Christian parents should not miss the chance to discuss this with their kids. The “Mrs.” even show Meg how the IT, the EVIL in the universe, affects her friends and family on earth. This brief scene in the film was SO powerful to me, as it showed Meg how evil caused her classmate who bullied Meg to have an eating disorder, caused other teachers at her school were jealous of her principal, and caused her friend Calvin’s dad to berate him for not being good enough. This scene provides an AMAZING conversation starter for our kids about spiritual warfare in their own lives. The “Powers and Principalities” are DEFINITELY on display, but so is the power of LOVE, brought by Meg, who like you, me, and our kids, is an Image Bearer of GOD.
Another thing I REALLY like that is true to the book and featured in the movie is that one of the celestial beings, Mrs. Whatsit (Reese of the Amazing Eye Makeup), leaves Meg to fight her spiritual battle against Evil with a special gift. “I give you your faults,” Mrs. Whatsit says. I was so, so glad they included this in the movie, because it was a part in the book that really touched me. As I was growing up, when I exhibited particular stubbornness, grumpiness, or indignation, my dad would chuckle and say, “Girl, you got every bad trait I have.” And you know what? I LOVED THAT. Because I could see in my dad, how EVERY part of his character made him a really great guy. And it made me so happy to know that he thought I was like him, even in those ways. My faults have been a gift, my imperfections have shaped me. And in A Wrinkle In Time, Meg’s God-given faults save HER, too, and not just her…her entire family. FAULTS! This movie encourages our kids to be okay with their FAULTS! It’s a much-needed message in how ALL things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose (a Bible verse the book cites, by the way, that the movie does not.)
Bottom line: like the book, the movie is a little “out there” – but like I said, it’s FANTASY! It is also very well made, spectacularly acted, emotional, and portrays positive views of adoption, family commitment, and LOVE. I cannot stress enough what great talking points about spiritual warfare and God’s power in our lives this movie provides, even though it is not as “Christian” as the book. And though there are DEFINITELY things that are different than the book (I know some plots points must be removed to keep the movie from being 3-4 hours long), it is not unfaithful to the tale or a major departure from the feel, message or intent of the original work.
Also, this movie contains a LOT of glitter. Like, a bunch. I think Glitter might be up for best supporting actress in this film. But it’s still great. 🙂
I hope you enjoyed my A Wrinkle in Time review, and I hope you give it a chance! But don’t just go SEE it with your kids — TALK about it. Or, they might miss the spiritual warfare and come away with thinking they’re one with the universe, after all. 😉
Have you read A Wrinkle in Time, and are you planning to see the movie? Why or why not?
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