So I took my daughter Emily and her good friend Devin to see the movie Warm Bodies last night. That’s right a zombie movie. But stay with me here, this is not a review, rating, or simple rehash. It’s just about life. Can I take a zombie flick and exhume a message? A writer can take a shot.
I’m glad Emily and Devin got to see and hear the message come to life, even if it was all make-believe up on the big screen. These kids are sponges, and even when you don’t think they are listening, or paying attention, you can bet they are. And it all comes to light later in the core values they develop and the choices they make. If there’s a way to feed their minds something positive, why miss the chance, even if the wrapper it comes in seems a bit unusual.
So here it goes. For anyone not up on zombie lore, you need to know they like to eat people. The premise for this movie is this zombie guy, named “R”, somehow, someway rescuing a human girl named Julie. Instead of tasting her, he decides to save her. Problem for zombies is they can’t really speak, or feel, or so we think. Turns out this guy wants to have all of that – yearns to be a part of something more – wants to give love, and receive – he doesn’t want to be alone for all eternity. That’s quite a goal for the undead.
(Spoiler Alert – If you have plans to see the movie stop now. I’ll save it for you. 🙂 )
Slowly however, “R” and his human friend Julie, form a connection. She is certainly thankful to “R” for keeping her alive, and it’s the acceptance and the appreciation of each other, that begin to change things. “R” starts to actually come back to life. And it’s not just him. The other zombies who at first want to feed on Julie as well, soon feel hurt, instead of hunger, for not being able to share the same special connection as “R” and Julie. Yes, everyone is starting to change.
The point is simple, but poignant. Gratitude, appreciation and love must have some kind of power if they can bring a dead guy back to life. Sure it’s only a movie, it’s make-believe, but the trio of emotions is about as real as it gets. And the message that no one ever truly wants to be alone, that the yearning to be loved and appreciated and the opportunity to offer those feelings in return, are simply what make us human. In this case, in this movie, the magic of those desires and the warmth they give is so strong it literally starts a guy’s heart beating again! The same way it warms your heart and mine, and the people with whom we share our lives. We aren’t zombies, but these feelings that we share are the food for our soul. It’s quite literally not just what brings us to life… but lets us live.
I’m grateful to be able to share my life and this message, with you.
Until next time, thanks for taking the time.
Mark