Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor

Just watched this made-for-TV biopic of Mother Teresa on Netflix disc with my mom. She loved it and I admired it for depicting how then-Sister Teresa from Albania rose from a convent in India as a geography teacher to the self-sacrificing caregiver of the slums she became. Geraldine Chaplin makes the most of what's written about this Nobel prize winner for peace during the time this was made just before the noble woman passed on. Certainly the fact that it had to be less than two hours meant most of it took place at the beginning of her career before spending the last 15 minutes on her summation to a reporter of her life's work and then accepting the Nobel as she gives her speech in 1979. So on that note, Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor merits a look for anyone interested in a history lesson.

Geraldine Chaplin is too refined-looking to play Mother Teresa. Her nose is too patrician; her eyes too elegant. Her being cast here poses the same problem that I had when watching Ingrid Bergman play Golda Meir or Dorothy McGuire in "The Enchanted Cottage." But Chaplin digs her heels in boldly, and never turns her eyes away from the formidable task at hand. It's this resolvedness that gives this movie what little vitality it has. The movie itself is a dull account of Mother Teresa's life as a missionary to the poor of Calcutta. It chooses to present the facts as if it were reporting it to a disinterested group of her peers. This may seem appropriate for a stoic, but it doesn't explain why people were so moved by this woman. And what is reported is fudged anyway. Imagine a story about Mother Teresa's life with no speech about abortion. The moviemakers treat her condescendingly; she's relegated to the status of a well-loved grandmother whom the family locks in her room when company is expected, because she might embarrass them.

There isn't even any mention of the controversy that rose around her when she accepted money from cheats and tyrants. What good is a soul with its sight on Christ without controversy and crosses and the memory of His Passion? What good is a movie that avoids the thorns of religious fervor, that settles for a trite appeal to us to be more giving?

The movie sings in monotone--like an annoying mantra. At least "The Song of Bernadette" had moments of rapture to look back on. But "Mother Teresa" is flat. It's as if the reverberations she set off fell on deaf ears, and the poorest of the poor were still left wanting.

Although I do agree that this movie was a good attempt at capturing the spirit of Mother Teresa, I can't agree saying the movie was monotone and bland has any merit. Simply because when this movie was released, 1) it was made for TV and 2) it was released about a month after Mother Teresa's death. There was not enough information about her life nor her trials and struggles given to the public in order to make a long involved, detailed film. Now that she has been beautified by the Vatican under Pope John Paul II, more and more has been revealed from personal and spiritual confidants who have given a deeper insight as to who Mother Teresa really was and what she really had to do. There have been deeper, more detailed movies released about her life since then. This movie was created at a time when the world mourned, perhaps, its greatest and most loving figure of the 20th century. All the world wanted, at the time, was a glimpse of her life other than what they saw on television and in magazines.

I am giving an 8 vote for the movie. Geraldine Chaplin gave the movie life by her very good portrayal of Mother Teresa particularly in speech, however, this movie is short, it needed more scenes because I think this movie does not include the later life of Mother Teresa. Her famous quotes should be included and the situation regarding the hardship of the poor and the sick is excellently shown. If I would be asked if I would recommend this for movie theater or big screen viewing I would say yes but I would recommend this more for home movie player viewing so that reflection can be more exercised. And the movie can be replayed easily for meditation. For those who knows the zeal, the noble work and great love that Mother Teresa put in her work of helping the poorest of the poor for her great love of God will certainly love this movie. Two thumbs up!