Tea at Trianon: Fireproof (2008)

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Fireproof (2008)

Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle reviews the recent film, saying:

This movie has it all. Not only does it attract men as a “guy flick” because of the action, the firehouse banter, fires and rescues; it is also all about relationships, romance, emotional real-life struggles, and the meaning behind the covenant of marriage.

Anonymous said...: Elena...my husband and I are so looking forward to this movie. We are waiting for it from Netflix. People have said it changed their marriages...Theresa; February 15, 2009 at 7:58:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: I want to see it now, too.; February 15, 2009 at 8:08:00 AM EST
Anonymous said...: My husband and I saw Fireproof - it made us both cry. We are romantic saps so that is not hard to do. :)

Some of the acting is not polished but it does not detract from the story. The actors' sincerity, however, shines through. It is an engaging film - so much so that I found myself wanting to yell out at the characters at times! Dialogue lapses into 'Protestantese' which could potentially turn off or confuse some viewers.

It offers a realistic portrait of a broken marriage and how Christ can break through barriers and bring healing if we are willing to let Him help us.

No cussing, no graphic details, fantastic message that honors marriage - you need to see it!

Be sure to watch the outtakes and gag reel - they are very funny! :) Good clean fun.

Overall, it was a breath of fresh air and it helped me to appreciate my already great marriage even more.; February 16, 2009 at 3:46:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Thanks for sharing your impressions, Margaret!; February 16, 2009 at 8:17:00 AM EST
Brantigny said...: I saw this on the day of it's opening. I wish the Catholic Church had a movie like this. it is frank and touching.

Richard; February 16, 2009 at 4:49:00 PM EST