8: The Mormon Proposition
My Thoughts: This is a hard movie to talk about because unlike Fish Out of Water, this film deals heavily with politics and religion. I will start by saying that I do fully agree with the views put forward in this movie, but the film makes it seem as though all Mormons are radically against gay marriage, which is a generalization. I think people are allowed to believe what they believe, but when they want to take away the civil rights of other people and condemn them as second class citizens because of who they are, I cannot support that; that isn’t free speech or freedom of religion, that is pure hate. I think the Mormon church overstepped its bounds by putting millions of dollars into their Yes on 8 (I, II) campaign because they are imparting their beliefs onto those outside of the church. If they don’t want to support or be apart of the gay community, they are free to do so, just as those in the gay community should be free to marry, if they want.
Why it Works: As a film, it was a bit more all over the place than the previous films I’ve written about, but that could be because the topics—homosexuality, religion, and politics—are probably the most controversial topics in America right now. But what the film did have going for it was its ability to appeal to the viewer’s emotions; this film will make you sad, angry, disappointed, and disgusted all within minutes. There are a lot of personal accounts that contribute to this and views of both sides of the topic. Although I believe this film is appealing to those in support of or on the fence about same sex marriage, I feel someone on the opposite end of the issue would discount the film’s credibility.
Explore the Issue Further:
The film — 8: The Mormon Proposition
