I watched “The Day After Tomorrow” for only the second time the other night on DVD, and like the first time I watched it, I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed the movie. I had missed it on the big screen when it was showing, and hence I missed out on being awed by the amazing special effects and all that, which I’m actually now quite glad that I did. I was actually expecting quite a shallow movie, full of exaggerated scientific extreme weather occurrences and overshadowed by mind blowing special effects coupled with equally shallow and poor acting performances.
But really quite to my surprise, it was actually quite an enjoyable flick. Yes it was definitely an opportunity for Hollywood to once again sensationalise natural disasters, and to show off their creative masterpieces through the use of extraneous use of CG special effects and green screen. Oh and not to forget their blatant opportunity to show off America and the propaganda of how brave and strong they are. But it was really much more than just all that. I was quite pleased that below this shallow surface, actually lay quite a solid movie that explored more significant and meaningful ideas.
Many important ideas were explored in the film, such as humility and humanity, fragility, hope and trust and loyalty. By far the most significant idea explored and highlighted was that of the power and strength of a father’s promise.
Truly this movie surely highlights that in the light of catastrophic disaster there are always 2 responses. One is that people strip away all that hinders them, all that is material and transient is no longer significant and of value, only what lasts and is of value, human life and love, matter… and no matter what standing of society you may be in, when disaster strikes, it does not discriminate between rich and poor, educated or not, male or female, young or old… it is in circumstances such as these that the true potential of human love and generosity is most clearly seen.
Yet, there is still another response that remains that of indignant stubbornness and pride. Those that choose to ignore the impending disaster and so desperately attempt to cling on to what little hope that they can find in their monetary possessions or positions of authority. Their futile and selfishness is shown for what it is, and ultimately they pay the price for their greed, pride and selfishness or if they have been shown mercy, they are totally and utterly humiliated, shamed and humbled, and shown the folly of their preceding attitude.
By far though, the dominant and driving force focused on and explored in this movie was that of determination, resilience, loyalty, faithfulness, survival and above all love.
It is the love and promise made by Prof Hall (Dennis Quaid) that becomes the driving force in giving Sam and his friends, strength and hope in rescue and salvation. The whole movie hinges on the one line by Prof Hall… “I will come for you!!!” It is at this point that the audience’s attention is now drawn and focused for the rest of the movie, on his quest and in seeking out the outcome of his superhuman effort to cross a continent to save his son. We sit on the edge of our seats with bated breath hoping and waiting to see if he is able to fulfil his promise… will he make it in time? Will his son wait for him? Or will he go on his own?
A family, loving though it may be, is not complete and unified due to the father’s great and strenuous work commitments which pull him away from his family. It is evident that his wife and son are tiring of his lack of being present at home. Much like cracks in the ice, cracks are forming in this family… slowly growing wider and tearing each other apart.
And yet, despite this growing rift between Prof Hall and Sam, in the face of unassailable adversity, he is determined to seek out and find his son, and his son has the love and faith to trust in his father and his promise. Such is the power and strength of a father’s love.
It is his one and only goal to set out and rescue his son that gives him the strength, resolution and determination to make the arduous journey. His face is set upon making it to Manhattan, not letting anything get in the way from achieving his goal, his passion. His love for his son spurs him on…
Likewise, it is Sam’s love and trust in his father that gives him the courage and strength to lead the group of survivors, to think clearly and make tough decisions, and above all to remain patient yet determined.
As I watched this film, I couldn’t help but think that these are ideals that our world and society seems to be craving and hungering and thirsting for…
I mean, did people see this movie “just” for the great big special effects? Probably… I know I did… but what made this film enjoyable and “successful”? what is it about such films that make them successful and popular?
People enjoy seeing stories of beating the odds, of loyalty, love, faithfulness… good triumphing over evil…
If Prof Hall had not been able to find Sam and get there in time to save him, what kind of movie would that have been?? A tragedy? Of course… but that would leave the audience feeling hollow and unsatisfied… unfulfilled. We want to leave with some feeling of satisfaction… even from a tragedy… just look at the classic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet… yes it was tragic that the story ended in death, but we are satisfied and fulfilled because we know that they have been united in love, and united in death. If either Romeo or Juliet died without them first being united in love, the story would’ve become empty and hollow… left gasping for more… To use another more recent classic love story, “The Notebook”… probably now one of my all time favourite “chick flicks”… (yes, I am a sucker for the odd chick flick now and then)… another tragi-romantic story/movie… what makes it satisfyingly enjoyable, and worthy of a good sob? It’s the touching story of Noah’s patience, his love and perseverance to find Ally… to help her remember him, remember their love… and as we’re taken through the story of their life, we yearn and hope that Ally does remember and recognise Noah… and to give the ending away, our hearts cry in joy, in sorrow, in happiness, in sadness when we see that they have found each other, and die lovingly in each others arms… Noah’s patience, perseverance and love is rewarded in the love of his beloved…
So as an audience we want to see such stories of love, trust, faithfulness, loyalty and goodness… we champion such virtues, because in our own lives, we see how we are so sadly lacking in them… and to see such stories played out before our eyes, gives us hope that such “fairytales” may come true…
And yet, when I was watching “The Day After Tomorrow”, I could not help but keep thinking of the Father’s love… I’m not talking of Prof Hall… but rather He who is in himself very Love… God, our Heavenly Father…
I couldn’t help thinking that, if in our lives, such stories like that of this movie can be true… how much more greater is the faithfulness, steadfastness and absoluteness of the Love of our Heavenly Father…
“When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” – Hebrews 6:13-20
We can have confidence in God’s unchanging perfect nature, that he will remain true and faithful to His Word. And we can also have full confidence in His Son, because “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” – Hebrews 1:3
In Him, we can have full assurance of faith and of His love…
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.” – John 15:9-10
It is because of this truth that we can echo the Apostle Paul’s words and say that,
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-40
Surely this is not "The Day After Tomorrow"... but rather here and now today...
Now that is a story to be eternally satisfied and fulfilled in…
Every Promise
~ Bryson Smith & Phillip Percival ~
"Every promise of our God
Finds its 'yes' in His own Son
Blessings to his people come
In abundance through the One
In Christ, God's glory is revealed
His grace, His faithfulness is shown
And so we live in certain hope
The God of Truth, our fortress strong
As foretold the servant came
Sacrificed to rid out shame
Promised Saviour, Lamb of God
Full atonement by His Blood
By God's Word the Christ did come
Great King David's greatest son
Lion of Judah, King of Kings
He whose rule will never end"
