Review of The Shack (2017) by Lilia S — 25 Jun 2017

Oh God! Where do I start? A goody-good dad character seems to forgive the murderer of his daughter after just a few conversations with God and some bad role-playing excercise with Wisdom-character - without much explanation as to why God could not save her innocent soul. I mean, I would not be satisfied with that before I could forgive the maniac who killed my child! This is why, combined with god-awful photography, psychodelic colours and a background not unlike those you see in Jehovah's witnesses brochures, this movie is so increadibly unconvincing and unispiring. I cannot forgive the use of the scene where the protagonist has to bury his daughter all over again during his astral visit to god, in order to literally reconcile himself with the past. You see a grown man sobbing over a body of his little girl and your heart is breaking - and yet it is hard to shake off the feeling that this is just a cheap trick to pull on the viewer's heart-strings in a desperate attempt to evoke any other emotion apart from boredom! Full of Christian lecturing it just makes me think of the times when grieving relatives come to seek consolation by talking to the priest, and all he has to say to you is "God moves in mysterious way!".

Don't expect any twists or profound truths or even as much as food for thought. All you get is an instruction manual of how you have to feel about god and how you should not be angry with him, cos you know, he is a busy bloke/lady and basically just don't question him, forgive and move on. And the protagonist just buys into it just like that! He goes: "I cannot do this, I cannot forgive" and then a minute later, without much anguish, he is like: "I dunno.

... not sure about it..." god: "all you have to do it say it!" Protagonist: "oh really? Ok, I suppose I can do this..." then they let him find his daughters metaphysical dead body like it's some kind of easter egg hunt and bury it in a gaudy "garden" place. The holy spirit then drops what she says Mac's tears on the grave and flowers sprout from it! Really? Vom! I kept on watching in bewilderment hoping for a good twist at least, - nope, nothing, just some sermonazing and chrisitian therapy and Mack is good to go afainhis murdered daughter is all but forgotten... I know there were spoilers in my review, but it does not matter - save youself some grief and do not watch this movie. Just go to church on Sunday instead , it would be a better use of your time. At least you may get some free coffee after the Mass!