SWEET CHARITY (1969)

Directed by: Bob Fosse
Written by: Peter Stone
Studio: Universal Pictures
Starring: Shirley MacLaine, John McMartin, Chita Rivera
Rated: G

About the film:
Despite constant disappointments with life, taxi dancer Charity holds onto her faith and continues to hope that true love is waiting for her just around the corner.

Movie Quote:
“Without love, life would have no purpose.”
Vittorio (Ricardo Montalban) in Sweet Charity (1969)

Bible Quote:
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)

Commentary:
There is much that we can do without in this world. We don’t need riches or calamity; neither luxuries nor poverty are needed in order to carve out a life of meaning and substance. But a life without love is no life at all. It doesn’t take much to understand why.

God is the creator of life. And God is love. (1 John 4:8) Certainly He would weave His very nature throughout all His creation. To live life without living it in love is to deny the One Who gave us life in the first place.

What some fail to comprehend is the truth that love is not a “feeling” that we may fall into. It is a decision we make. It is not accident or fate. It is a deliberate choice. Because this is true, we have the opportunity to always operate from a mindset of love. Regardless of the situation, we have the God-given ability to face anything and always frame our actions out of a heart filled with love. It is our choice. Whether we act in love or act without love is our decision.

As we determine within ourselves to always act with love in our heart (and by love I mean the love of God and the love for our fellow man) we are well on our way to a spiritual maturity that is reflective of His love for us.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. How would you counsel Charity if she came to you asking for advice?
2. How are we to react in the face of disappointments and unrealized expectations? How do we keep our faith strong if our goals are yet to be reached?

Michael Elliott
www.screensermon.blogspot.com