December 23, 2009 • By Ana Guthrie

Life has slowed down for me, so I've gotten a chance to do what I do best when I have some down time: become a movie glutton!

Yes, yes sir!

Last week I caught up on some flicks that I've been meaning to check out. Folks had been raving about all three. So, I expected to be marveled by Precious, The Blind Side, and The Princess & the Frog. And, while critics have hailed all three as must-sees, I didn't expect to discover a common thread, though. "What on earth," one would question, "could these films have in common?"

The positive effects of good parenting...that's the theme.

Precious, an in-your-face and grainy film, is a novel-turned-movie depiction of Clarice "Precious" Jones, a sexually and emotionally battered 16-year-old eighth grader. Precious suffers unspeakable ills at the hands of an angry mother and perverted father. What she lacked in a mother and father, she found in Ms. Rain, whose guidance transforms Precious from a hopeless, illiterate and overweight Harlem girl to a blossoming mother of two toddlers. Ms. Rain mothers Precious.

The Blind Side, another book-to-movie piece, tells the true story of NFL linebacker Michael Oher, a towering Black boy who was left homeless by a drug-addicted mother. "Big Mike" was adopted and cared for by the Touhys, a wealthy White family. The woman of the house, Leigh Ann Touhy, played by Sandra Bullock, is witty, fierce and determined to love Big Mike. In the end, he becomes an All-American Ole Miss Rebels offensive lineman and, subsequently, a Baltimore Ravens offensive left tackle.

Finally, Tiana, the heroine of the Disney film The Princess & the Frog starts out as anything but royalty. She's the only child of two hard-working but struggling Black parents. What Tiana's family lacks in wealth is made up in love; she is adored by her mother and father. Her dad shares with Tiana his dream of one day opening up a Cajun restaurant in their native New Orleans. From that moment, Tiana is inspired. Even after her father's passing, Tiana works diligently to fulfill her dad's dream of becoming a restaurant owner. Unlike other damsel-in-distress and silver-spoon-in-the-mouth Disney princesses, Tiana is a working gal who was clearly raised well.

It could be just me. But, how marvelous is it that good parenting is making a comeback?

 

Parenting based reality shows like "Wife Swap," "Supernanny," "Jon & Kate Plus 8," "Little People Big World," "18 Kids and Counting," are hugely successful. It appears that America is into parenting--indeed, a change from the live-your-life, Sex and the City-obsessed culture from a few years back.

 

This trend is also leaping from the TV screen to the Big Screen with message-movies like Precious, The Princess & the Frog and The Blind Side. Whether biological, adoptive, rich, poor or a mentor, great parents can mold any child into a diamond. To be sure, it's tossed around as an uberly-political, conservative term. Yet, "family values," according to God, simply means that children are allowed to thrive and explore within firm and character-instilling households.

Despite what some may say, you don't have to be political or even conservative to have family values.

During this Christmas season, may you draw close to your family. Enjoy the simplicity of laughing and bonding. Share love and gifts with one another. And, may we all reflect on God and appreciate his ultimate gift: Christ Jesus His Son. Merry Christmas!

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