A Review of The Book of Eli

Hollywood’s fascination with post-apocalyptic tales continues in The Book of Eli. With its sepia-toned ash strewn landscapes and crazed cannibals it has a certain similarity of feel to The Road but frankly, that is where any comparisons should end. Whereas The Road is thought-provoking and soul-stirring, The Book of Eli is more akin to a combination of the The Last Samurai meets Mad Max.

The violence in The Road is disturbing but never glorified, for in fact, it actually enhances the overall message as it is a reminder that even the weak can live meaningfully if they cling onto hope amidst the real horrors of their world. The difference is that The Book of Eli’s main character is not a victim, but an almost untouchable warrior who deals out gruesome deaths with a flick of his wrists and with background music pumping. In other words, the violence is both gratuitous and glorified.

Denzel Washington, the son of a Pentecostal pastor and committed Christian, plays the role of Eli – a survivor of a nuclear war that devastated the globe. He believes he has been called by a mysterious ‘small’ voice to carry the only surviving copy of an old KJV Bible across America’s wastelands to some unknown destination ‘in the West’. All other Bibles had been burned by the nuclear war survivors who blamed its teachings for the war (if none of this seems clear to you, don’t worry, it’s not just you).

Along the way he runs into Carnegie (Gary Oldman) who playing to stereotype is a psychotic despot ruler of a small town that is kept in line by his brutal gang members. He has whole teams of his lackeys searching for a copy of ‘the book’ – a Bible because it is his belief that such a book will give him power over others. He is interested in expanding his empire and believes he can use the Bible as a ‘weapon’ to bend peoples wills to his own. Eli also believes in the power of this book but wants to preserve it all costs (at ALL costs believe me) because he hopes its divine wisdom in the right hands will help save his devastated world.

These differences lead to some violent altercations and a pursuit across the bleached landscape as Eli continues his westward quest. In the meantime, Carnegie’s stepdaughter (Mila Kunis) fascinated by Eli and his mysterious faith, throws her lot in with him and becomes involved in his journey and eventual escape TO Alcatraz (sorry about the spoiler).

Christian reaction to this movie in the States has been fascinating. Many Christians have wholeheartedly embraced its message because the Bible plays such a central role, and because of Eli’s example of ‘walking by faith not by sight.’ Personally, I struggle to see exactly how this movie positively promotes a Christian worldview. The fact that Washington has been voted the second most influential Christian in Hollywood, and the fact the movie involves preserving a Bible, does not necessarily mean it automatically qualifies as an authentic messenger of Gospel truth.

In fact, not at all for the violence in it quite ruins any message the movie might have. While much of what Eli does is in self-defence, the whole enterprise is far too confused about whether people of faith are ever justified in using violence to proclaim their message. The Church has made this mistake in its history (crusades and inquisitions) quite overlooking that Christ himself endured the very worst of violence and responded only with mercy and forgiveness. We should never forget that the very essence of Christ’s message is intrinsically linked to non-violent responses and ways of being. I especially disliked the way Washington was seen to stylistically whip people’s heads off with all the grace of a Samurai warrior as part of his overall mission. He also was quite prepared to hide and not use his warrior gifts while a woman was raped and her partner murdered because that might conflict with his ‘mission’.

I would give this movie 1 star out of 5, and wouldn’t bother going to see it if you haven’t already.