STARMAN (1984)

Directed by: John Carpenter
Written by: Bruce A. Evans, Raynold Gideon
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith
Rated: PG

About the film:
When an alien crash lands and becomes stranded on Earth, he takes the form of a young widow’s late husband and requests that she drives him across the country to a predetermined extraction point. Government agents hotly pursue the couple, wanting to study the alien more closely.

Movie Quote:
“Shall I tell you what I find beautiful about you? You are at your very best when things are worst.”
Starman (Jeff Bridges) in Starman (1984)

Bible Quote:
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romans 8:37 (NIV)

Commentary:
The alien in Starman makes an interesting observation based upon watching how humans act and react to various situations. From his perspective it may seem a bit incongruous that, as things around us get bad, we tend to rise to the occasion and get better.

There’s a phrase which has been around for a while that speaks to this issue: “The darker it gets, the brighter the light can shine.” Darkness cannot extinguish light – all it can do is make it more noticeable.

Leading up to Romans 8:37, the apostle Paul lists a series of cataclysmic events (persecution, famine, peril, sword, etc.) in order to make the point that, despite what our outward circumstances may be, our inner strength will be sufficient to overcome them. The reason for this is because our strength comes from God whose power knows no equal.

The more we tap into God’s strength and power – the more we will prevail over the many obstacles we face in our lives. The more we prevail, the brighter our lives will shine… reflecting His light for the entire world to see.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Why does Jenny change her mind and begin to help the alien? What does the Bible say about giving aid to strangers in need?
2. Why does the alien take on the appearance of Jenny’s dead husband? What can we learn from that as we approach people with the good news of Christ?

Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com