Review of The Majestic (2001) by Jesse T — 19 Apr 2012

"That's the First Amendment, Mr. Chairman -- it's everything we're about if only we'd live up to it. It's the most important part of the contract; every citizen has one in this country. And even though these contracts -- the Constitution and the Bill of Rights -- even though they're just pieces of paper with signatures on them, they're the only contracts we have that are most definitely not subject to renegotiation. Not by you, Mr. Chairman, ... not by anyone. Too many people have paid for this contract in blood. People like Luke Trimble, and all the sons of Lawson, CA.".

This is one of the most beautiful lines from a movie I've heard. It's the pivot point of the whole story, and it makes me wish there were more people like this out there.

The problem that I'm seeing with the world (well, one of them), is illustrated in this entire scene (not just the lines I wrote.) The whole problem was that the House UnAmerican Activities Committee wanted to save their damn face. So Peter (the main character) -- despite the oath he took to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth -- would have to lie by appologizing to the committee that he was a Communist, even though he was not. A whole lot of blabber just to make the Committee look good. It's all about looking good, all about appearances. You know what happens when people care too much about appearances? The important things -- the underlying meaning, the whole purpose of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights -- get lost and are forgotten. And the oath to tell the truth becomes just a bunch of words without meaning, said only because it's what is always done.

Peter used to be the type who would have gladly lied just to get his life back. But something makes him change his mind and actually stand up to the Committee for himself -- and for America:

"I can't help wondering what [Luke] would say if he were standing here right now. You know, I think he'd probably tell you the America represented in this room is not the America he died defending. I think he'd tell you your America is bitter, and cruel, and small. I know for a fact his America was big, bigger than you could imagine, with a wide open heart, where every person has a voice, even if you don't like what they have to say. If he were here, I wonder how you'd respond if you could explain to him what happened to his America.".

What has happened to America? I'm afraid it's been forgotten, lost, by the people who care more about their own appearances rather than the cause they are fighting for, America. Ironic.

I know there are people out there like Peter who would stand up and defend America. I just wish they were a little louder!