In conjunction with the release of The Good Lie back in October, I interviewed Reese Witherspoon about her role in that film and her thoughts about how it might raise awareness of the plight of Sudanese refugees. You can read it here. It was a great conversation about a movie that was quite positive in its aim and scope. One of the things I appreciated about the interview was Reese’s honesty.
She didn’t have to admit to me that she knew very little about the Sudanese civil war before becoming involved with the film. But she did, even though that admission carried the risk that some would view her grasp of world affairs in an unfavorable light.
Because of that vulnerability, I didn’t question her forthrightness when we had this exchange:
Waliszewski: You once said, and I’m gonna quote you here, “I’ve always been choosing roles knowing that I have a daughter and [that] I have a responsibility to her and to the world to be representing women of strength. These are the women I know in life. I think it’s a natural extension of parenthood for you to feel like you’re responsible for the worlds you create, whether they be silly or serious. I think you are responsible for the art you put into the world.” That was from Fox News, 2009. Still feel that way?
Witherspoon: Yes. Absolutely. My daughter’s 15. I have [a nearly] 11-year-old son, and a 2-year-old son, and not every choice that you make is about showing perfection. I think when we see the human spirit and how we can bear the unbearable sometimes or overcome inconceivable things, it’s such an opportunity to lift spirits and consciousness. Hopefully people leave the theater a little more aware than they were.
A few days ago I screened Witherspoon’s latest flick, Wild (its release limited enough that we’re not yet considering publishing a full review of it). As I left the theater I couldn’t help but recall our conversation from earlier this fall and feel I’d been misled. When I asked her the question above, it didn’t come off the cuff. In fact, I had to do quite a bit of research to find that quote of hers that aired on Fox News, recalling it only vaguely. In hindsight, I really didn’t pose the inquiry as I meant to. What I should have asked was something more like this: Reese, for the sake of your own children, have you made a decision that you will only accept movie roles that you’d be proud for them to not only see, but to watch with their friends, their siblings, and even their grandparents? That’s what I thought I was asking.
Now, as I re-read Witherspoon’s answer (and in light of Wild which she had already filmed), I realize she either sidestepped or missed the intent of my question.
What do I mean? Well, let’s just say Wild contains six scenes involving nudity. Witherspoon’s nudity. Five involve sexual activity, three being quite graphic. Also, Reese (as well as others) utilize quite a few f-bombs in this movie. And Reese’s character (Cheryl Strayed) smokes heroin several times and has a partner inject her with the drug several more.
Witherspoon told me she still believes in taking responsibility for “the art [she] put[s] into the world.” But what does that mean, exactly? I now don’t think it means the same thing it would mean if I were a producer or director or actor and said it. Would I want my son and his friends watching me act out graphic sex scenes? Would I want my daughter hearing me say I’d do all that heroin again if I had it all to do over?
Flatly, no. And so I think we all have to grapple with what it looks like to take responsibility for what we do, before God as well as before our peers and our families.
I’ll finish with another thought I have about the movie itself (not Reese). I’m incredibly impressed that Cheryl Strayed hiked the Pacific Coast Trail by herself. What an accomplishment! And I fully realize that this trek was both therapeutic and liberating for her back in 1995. I get that. I’ve run a number of marathons in my life. And I know the feeling of being quite proud of going a demanding physical distance (and my 26.2 miles doesn’t compare to her 1,100!). But this movie seems to imply that such a hike can fill a person’s spiritual void. We know that only Jesus can do that. But Wild moviegoers may be led to believe otherwise. Yes, one can be proud of it. Yes, one can find even new direction through it. But, ultimately, no amount of hiking by itself can usher in a spiritual rebirth.
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