The Most Reluctant Convert

This movie will take the world by storm if it gets out. Christian movies usually don't get much play. Passion of Christ showed that to be a big mistake. If churches come out it will succeed. C. S. Lewis was an atheist at the start of his journey. I had no idea. I read the Closet series and loved it as a kid. It influenced my life. His discussions with other brilliant minds of the time both Christian and not are legendary. Great movie and great man!

This movie charts the early life of CS Lewis which he covers in his autobiography Surprised by Joy. I found it absolutely riveting to trace Lewis's journey from his early idyllic childhood, to his disillusion at his mother's death to become an atheist driven by rationalism. It is revealing then that his discovery of faith was not by some Damascus Road experience but by the application of his rationalism to the question of the existence of the Creator.

The movie charts this journey in the most entertaining fashion with Max McLean brilliantly leading the cast as the older Lewis. This has originally been a stage play but thankfully the producers have used all the advantages of cinematography here so the effect is brilliant. Do see this. I was gripped from beginning to end.

It was the first movie I saw that felt exactly like reading a book, which to me is a great thing if the book is interesting and well narrated. The flow of the movie is perfect, it's funny, the cinematography is top notch and it was very well acted. I liked the narrator, C. S. Lewis himsefl, played by Max McClean, being inside the story and being filmed as a travelling shot. The text is engaging and delivered with expression, if you care to follow the change of mind of a man's position before the belief in God, pay attention to what's being said and you will pick up well constructed arguments against materialism that I see myself using to explain my beliefs to others, because this movie achieves that kind of clarity. It's like watching moments of epiphany, without the fireworks of other lives and stories of people that converted to something spiritual. Christianity is not oversold and it's actually not the main theme of the movie. This is about C. S. Lewis spiritual journey and it fits many beliefs and religions, it's just a personal path, but one that can be universal if people want to read it like that. Some critics here say it's too slow, too short or boring but I think if it was longer than one hour it would ruin its effect. Didn't feel neither boring and certainly not slow, the story is always told with movement and the entire movie flows very smoothly, never getting stuck or dragging. I already think that I will share this movie with some friends, hope more people do that too.

This is not a biography of C. S. Lewis but rather his way to conversion. At times monologue, at times play, the film creates a fitting atmosphere and manages to insert the viewer in the picture. The transition through the various phases of C. S. Lewis' life are smooth and at no point does one feel bored. On the contrary, one feels eased into the era and the story. His journey from nominal Christian to atheist to Christian is explained smartly and the philosophy, theology and intelligence involved never feel out of place. Indeed I have worn his shoes while watching this film. I've read a low rated review claiming Christians consider it a sin to leave a bad review. Not at all. Most Christian films, especially older ones are below par. There you have it. This one isn't. In fact I would watch this before Shadowlands (1993) and never feel out of pace. It is such quality.

Very well made movie with a fun flow. I must admit I am a huge fan of Jack's, but the movie did him and his life honorably, and evoked much of the same joy, smirks, and epiphanies as his writings. Highly recommend and likely one I will buy to keep on the shelf and revisit.