Meet the Mormons

I would have given the film 9.5 out of 10 if that had been an option. I want to save a perfect 10 for perfection when and if I run into it. But for me, this film comes close.

No film can be everything to everyone. But this film provide both a visual and an emotional feast for anyone who is open to it. I suspect that those who resist the magic of this film may be saying more about themselves than about the film's content--and if there's resistance, I suspect it begins with the very thought of joining in a celebration of the lives of Mormons or any people driven by faith or perhaps even with the thought of joining in a celebration at all. (Imagine how Dr. House might react.)

"Meet the Mormons" is one of the most beautiful and inspiring films I have seen. All of the segments are fascinating and inspiring, and in many, the cinematography is stunning. The last one especially, though in some ways quieter, keeps tugging at your heart after you've left the theater.

It's hard to compare "Meet the Mormons" to other films. It's a documentary, but it feels more like an adventure, an intense experience with life compressed into a little over an hour. Though the two films are very different, it reminds me in some ways of "The Tree of Life," except that "Meet the Mormons" is intelligible on a first viewing. But it is also rich enough to deserve repeated viewings.

It is entertaining, illuminating, moving, at times breathtaking. It is not preachy, but there is a sort of theme, or an intertwined set of themes. Themes that stand out include the insight that every individual matters, that each of us has a role to play in the magnificent symphony of life. Another theme is the power of goodness--especially in the sense that word is used by the philosopher Emmanuel Levinas: "being-for-the-other." Every one of the people featured in the film has found meaning and purpose because of relationships with others and because of a desire to serve and bless others. As Levinas suggests, that is essentially what it means to be human: to be responsible to and in relationship with others. To welcome that responsibility is to enjoy a rich and meaningful existence. To resist it is to be diminished. ​

In a sense, then, "Meet the Mormons" is a reminder of the meaning and the wondrous possibilities of human life.

MEET THE MORMONS was directed by Blair Treu who has done some work for Disney and did the 2001 feature film LITTLE SECRETS, which Ebert & Rooper gave "Two Thumbs Up!" I mention this film because I absolutely loved it and have wondered from time to time what future films Blair Treu would do. What he has done with MEET THE MORMONS is to create an insight into the lives of several members of the LDS faith in different parts of the world. The documentary is beautifully recorded and he has captured his subjects in a meaningful way that lets the viewer feel the wonder of having faith in God and striving to to use that faith in raising a good family and of serving mankind. Professional critics will find fault with it for not addressing beliefs of the LDS Church that non-members don't understand, but that's not what this film is trying to do. Members of the Mormon Church are not members of some cult group -- they are Christians who are trying to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ -- and their stories are as varied as each person is different. The film lets us share the lives of six different families who each meet the challenges of life by serving their loved ones and enriching lives of people they come in contact with. Members of the Mormon Church will be inspired by this film and people who know little or nothing about the LDS Church should feel a love and kinship with the people shown because they are men and woman striving to live good lives and serve their fellow-man. Blair Treu and the talents behind the camera have done a magnificent job of visually sharing the lives of some interesting people.

I brought my wife and kids to this movie hoping to give my kids a broader view of the world, and the people who live in it. This movie was excellent, highlighting the stories, and lives of six ordinary people from around the world, who have done amazing things just by being good. They didn't set out to be amazing, they just choose good. These people also happen to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ or Latter Day Saints (or Mormons).

I, and my children, came away realizing that the daily choices we make can have great effect. That acts of good can touch others and have a profound effect on their lives. I do not agree with some critics that this was a movie trying to convert me to Mormonism. I think that the church wanted people to realize that their members are normal people trying to be good. That accomplished that goal, in an inspiring movie that made me want to help others in the world.

Full disclosure: I'm a Mormon.

I saw Meet the Mormons over the weekend and I really enjoyed it. The idea of the movie is to showcase a few individuals who are faithful members, showing what their daily life is like and how their choices are affected by living the gospel. So in that sense it is rather like an extended set of "I'm a Mormon" vignettes. Having said that, there are some pretty remarkable stories told here.

For myself, the introduction felt a little awkward to me--it wasn't a really smooth transition into the vignettes. But that is alleviated by showing a number of humorous clips and comments about Mormons from various shows.

Rather than digging into the doctrines of the Church's faith, what I believe the show is really trying to put across is that the very basic tenets of faith, love, service, fellowship, and family are the driving day-to-day forces in a Mormon who is honestly living their religion as best they can. And the vignettes show that in spades.

Especially for a first theater release from the LDS Church, I am very impressed and would recommend this film to others. I hope they make and release more feature films.

This film seeks to inspire and enlighten viewers by summing up the goodness, challenges, and triumphs of six Mormons from diverse backgrounds and locales. 'Meet the Mormons'does a great job of storytelling, and breaks new ground in the genre of Mormon movies (i.e., One Good Man, Saints & Soldiers, The Other Side of Heaven, Charly, etc.), by providing the breadth, depth, and good pacing of an official documentary, coupled with a refreshing degree of authenticity and sincerity that is difficult to ignore or deny. 'Meet the Mormons'provides an opportunity to peer briefly into not only individual lives, but into the functions of the LDS Church and its unique global Gospel culture. Each member appears to live rich and service oriented lives and is presented in tandem with their loved ones, their religious community, as well as in key societal interactions - many of which are quite striking (e.g., a US soldier dropping candy out of airplanes for German kids, an educated Nepalese building schools and improving water supply for his people, etc.). As some critics have mentioned, film-goers may not fully appreciate the basic purpose of the film (even despite being keyed in by the films title) and get a little confused as to why there is no greater attempt at resolving doctrinal questions or controversies. If you are looking for a film length version of Mormon apologetics, this is probably not the film for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for an opportunity to be inspired by great lives, to reevaluate your own conceptions of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while also being taken on an interesting trip around the world, this is a film for you to see (and see again).