ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010)

Directed by: Tim Burton
Written by: Linda Woolverton
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter
Rated: PG

About the film:
19-year-old Alice returns to the strange place she once knew as Wonderland only to find the odd denizens there filled with anticipation of a long-awaited fulfillment of a prophecy in which she is to play a major part.

Movie Quote:
“You cannot live your life to please others. The choice must be yours.”
White Queen (Anne Hathaway) in Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Bible Quote:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Commentary:
It is a natural human tendency to want to be liked. The downside is that our natural desire can and often does tempt us to present a false image of who we are or what we believe so as to gain the approval of others. The irony is rich. We might get “them” to like us… but it really isn’t “us” that they are meeting.

God exhorts us to walk honestly towards all men. No facades, no feigned words or false emotions… simply speaking and living the truth as we know it. It is not always easy. It is always profitable to God and to our souls.

Sure, there may be those who will not agree with what we say. And they may personalize the message to such an extent that they will choose to dislike the speaker as well as the speech. We can’t necessarily control how people react to us. But we can always control that what we present to them is honest and true.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. How does the Alice we see at the beginning of the film differ from the Alice at the end? What causes this change?
2. Who is the most honest character in the film? Defend your answer.