Thanks to Father James Martin for pointing out the new movie Lourdes, which I hadn’t heard of before but now definitely want to see. The set-up seems straightforward — a young Frenchwoman, Christine, is afflicted with multiple sclerosis and visits Lourdes with a group of handicapped pilgrims — but the film itself takes a more complex look at the world of faith, healing, and miracles. Father Martin explains:
The film perfectly depicts the humanity, the reality of Lourdes: the crowds of people squeezing into the grand underground basilica (somehow the filmmakers received permission to film actual liturgies; a Benediction by Cardinal Roger Mahony features prominently); the members of the Order of Malta silently pushing the malades in their carts across the Gave River; the functional hostels and hotels where everything seems to be tiled, as in a hospital; the often overcast and chilly weather punctuated by flashes of sunlight; and other scenes that faithfully convey a sense of the place. . . .
“Lourdes” shows the mix of approaches to the miraculous, even among believers. Half-way through the film, Christine experiences a miraculous recovery–beautifully filmed–or does she? One doctor is not sure; the other is. An amusing, and very French, duo of middle-age women argue throughout the film over what counts as a “real” miracle. Towards the end the same two pilgrims sit in a Lourdes hotel, and, over dinner, one wonders about God’s failing to heal everyone, “If God is not in charge,” she asks her companion, “who is?” The other pauses to consider the question and then says, “I hope they have a good dessert here.”
The film appears to be in limited release so far, but it looks like perfect Lenten fare. Check out the (very positive) New York Times review here, and watch the trailer: