The Good Lie (2014)

The Good Lie (2014)

MOVIE SUMMARY:

This is the story of one family who were part of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Orphaned by the brutal Civil war in Sudan that began in 1983, these young victims traveled as many as a thousand miles on foot in search of safety. Fifteen years later, a humanitarian effort would bring 3600 lost boys and girls to America.

MOVIE THEMES:

Having faith during difficult times

As the tattered group makes the difficult trek to Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, they meet other fleeing children, forging a bond with Jeremiah, who at age 13 is already a man of faith. They also meet Paul, whose skills become essential to their survival. Jeremiah shares his faith by feeding the hungry, praying, and giving his testimony. His difficult childhood has taught him that God will be there even when times are tough.

Sacrifice

Sacrifice is a dominant theme in the movie. Theo sacrifices his life for his brother Mamere. Mamere sacrifices his life for Theo at the end of the movie. After returning to Africa in hopes of finding his estranged brother Theo and bringing him back to the U.S., Mamere is unable to secure the necessary paperwork to bring Theo with him, so he has his brother pretend to be him so that Theo can go to the U.S. while Mamere stays behind to work in the hospital at the refugee camp.

Clash of Cultures

The film does a great job of illustrating the culture shock these refugees encounter when they arrive in Kansas City in the United States. Three African men do their best to adjust to American life. The title of the film is based on a similar cultural difference. The Africans are truthful and don’t lie. They learn however that one can commit a good lie – it is good because it helps someone else.

This is an excellent family film. The film clearly shows Christian values (although the values of Christians in Africa are different from Christians in America.) This cultural clash, is used as a comic device, but it helps to illustrate how culture can affect our faith. I highly recommend this film.

QUESTIONS:

1. How does the sacrifice of Theo and Mamere reflect the sacrifice that God gave through His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16, 1 John 3:16)?
2. These men hung on to their faith during difficult times (Proverbs 3:5-6, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Philippians 4:11-13). What is a difficult time in my life when I had to trust God?
3. In the film, the men have to adjust to life in a very different culture than where they grew up. Have I encountered cultural or other changes in my life? How have I dealt with changes in my life?