Movie quiz time: what do these two quotes have in common?
“The simple fact is you feel responsible for Goose and you have a confidence problem.” - Viper, Top Gun
“You know nothing about the law. You're a used-car salesman, Daniel. You're an ambulance chaser with a rank. You're nothing.” – Lt. Cmd. Galloway, A Few Good Men
Want to know the answer? Not so fast. First, in every movie the main character either has a goal that is being blocked or has an incorrect goal. When we watch the movie, we either want our hero to achieve his/her goal or to change the goal if it is misguided. For example, in Top Gun, Maverick’s’ goal is to be the best Navy pilot – a noble goal. However, in A Few Good Men, Lt. Caffey’s goal is to never actually try a case – not such a noble goal if you are a lawyer. Thus, as we watch A Few Good Men, we want Caffey to change his ways and actually try a case; especially one where his clients may actually be innocent.
But we just can’t let it be that simple can we? If we did, there wouldn’t be much of a story because what makes movies interesting is the fact that the protagonist has some sort of obstacle blocking his goal. In fact, our main character faces two types of obstacles: one external and one internal. The external goal is blocked by the antagonist. The internal obstacle, or the character flaw, also blocks the protagonist goal. It is only in dealing with his/her character flaw that the protagonist becomes ready to do battle with the antagonist. In the movies already mentioned, Maverick’s character flaw is his loss of confidence, whereas Caffey’s flaw is his lack of desire to make an argument in court on behalf of his clients.
But our hero can’t see the character flaw himself. He is blind to his own shortcomings. He needs someone else who sees him for who he really is to point out his flaw to him. He needs someone to objectively reflect back to him what he is doing and why. This minor character serves as a mirror to the main character allowing him to see himself clearly, flaws and all. In every movie there comes a moment when this character will make a statement to the protagonist which zeroes in and points out directly the main character’s flaw. Sometimes the statement is brutally honest and said in anger or sometimes the statement is full of wisdom and said with the greatest compassion. Either way, it will generally come in one statement and it will be an eye-opening moment for the protagonist. The reflection in the mirror is now crystal clear.
So what’s the answer to the movie quiz? Each statement is the moment of self-revelation for the main character. For Maverick, it’s Viper telling him he has a confidence problem. For Caffey, it’s Galloway telling him he’s not really a lawyer. Each of these statements is intended to reveal to the main character his/her internal flaw. Again, it is only in overcoming the internal obstacle that the main character can achieve his goal. How else can Maverick be the best Navy pilot unless he regains his confidence? How else can Caffey prove his client’s innocence unless he stands up in court and makes an argument?
Stories are so powerful because they so accurately reflect our own experiences. We all have character flaws. How do our flaws come to our attention? You might be, but I am not smart enough or honest enough with myself to notice these on my own. We need someone else in our life who loves us enough to point out to us our shortcomings. We need someone who is willing to “speak the truth in love” as the Bible says. And when these statements are made to us, how do we deal with them? Do we immediately dismiss them as untrue or do we pause and actually consider whether there is some validity to the statement? And what about when we need to make such statements to others? Are we willing to risk offending someone by telling them the truth or do we remain quiet because we are afraid of confrontation?
As you watch movies, identify the main character’s goal and his/her flaw. Then look for the moment of self-revelation. Look for the moment when another character, usually either a mentor or love interest, speaks the truth to the main character about his/her flaw. Then think about your own life. Is there someone in your life who cares enough to tell you your flaws? Are you the type of person who cares enough to tell others their flaws? We must identify and overcome our flaws if we are to overcome life’s obstacles.
One time I took a personality test that described me as an unsatisfied perfectionist. I immediately dismissed the results and jokingly told my wife how the test described me. She replied that the test described me perfectly and that I am in fact an unsatisfied perfectionist who is never fully happy with anything. This was a moment of self-revelation to me. I then began to understand how that quality played itself out in my life and how several problems I had been encountering were traced back to this character flaw. I am thankful for my wife who cared enough to speak the truth in love to me.
“The simple fact is you feel responsible for Goose and you have a confidence problem.” - Viper, Top Gun
“You know nothing about the law. You're a used-car salesman, Daniel. You're an ambulance chaser with a rank. You're nothing.” – Lt. Cmd. Galloway, A Few Good Men
Want to know the answer? Not so fast. First, in every movie the main character either has a goal that is being blocked or has an incorrect goal. When we watch the movie, we either want our hero to achieve his/her goal or to change the goal if it is misguided. For example, in Top Gun, Maverick’s’ goal is to be the best Navy pilot – a noble goal. However, in A Few Good Men, Lt. Caffey’s goal is to never actually try a case – not such a noble goal if you are a lawyer. Thus, as we watch A Few Good Men, we want Caffey to change his ways and actually try a case; especially one where his clients may actually be innocent.
But we just can’t let it be that simple can we? If we did, there wouldn’t be much of a story because what makes movies interesting is the fact that the protagonist has some sort of obstacle blocking his goal. In fact, our main character faces two types of obstacles: one external and one internal. The external goal is blocked by the antagonist. The internal obstacle, or the character flaw, also blocks the protagonist goal. It is only in dealing with his/her character flaw that the protagonist becomes ready to do battle with the antagonist. In the movies already mentioned, Maverick’s character flaw is his loss of confidence, whereas Caffey’s flaw is his lack of desire to make an argument in court on behalf of his clients.
But our hero can’t see the character flaw himself. He is blind to his own shortcomings. He needs someone else who sees him for who he really is to point out his flaw to him. He needs someone to objectively reflect back to him what he is doing and why. This minor character serves as a mirror to the main character allowing him to see himself clearly, flaws and all. In every movie there comes a moment when this character will make a statement to the protagonist which zeroes in and points out directly the main character’s flaw. Sometimes the statement is brutally honest and said in anger or sometimes the statement is full of wisdom and said with the greatest compassion. Either way, it will generally come in one statement and it will be an eye-opening moment for the protagonist. The reflection in the mirror is now crystal clear.
So what’s the answer to the movie quiz? Each statement is the moment of self-revelation for the main character. For Maverick, it’s Viper telling him he has a confidence problem. For Caffey, it’s Galloway telling him he’s not really a lawyer. Each of these statements is intended to reveal to the main character his/her internal flaw. Again, it is only in overcoming the internal obstacle that the main character can achieve his goal. How else can Maverick be the best Navy pilot unless he regains his confidence? How else can Caffey prove his client’s innocence unless he stands up in court and makes an argument?
Stories are so powerful because they so accurately reflect our own experiences. We all have character flaws. How do our flaws come to our attention? You might be, but I am not smart enough or honest enough with myself to notice these on my own. We need someone else in our life who loves us enough to point out to us our shortcomings. We need someone who is willing to “speak the truth in love” as the Bible says. And when these statements are made to us, how do we deal with them? Do we immediately dismiss them as untrue or do we pause and actually consider whether there is some validity to the statement? And what about when we need to make such statements to others? Are we willing to risk offending someone by telling them the truth or do we remain quiet because we are afraid of confrontation?
As you watch movies, identify the main character’s goal and his/her flaw. Then look for the moment of self-revelation. Look for the moment when another character, usually either a mentor or love interest, speaks the truth to the main character about his/her flaw. Then think about your own life. Is there someone in your life who cares enough to tell you your flaws? Are you the type of person who cares enough to tell others their flaws? We must identify and overcome our flaws if we are to overcome life’s obstacles.
One time I took a personality test that described me as an unsatisfied perfectionist. I immediately dismissed the results and jokingly told my wife how the test described me. She replied that the test described me perfectly and that I am in fact an unsatisfied perfectionist who is never fully happy with anything. This was a moment of self-revelation to me. I then began to understand how that quality played itself out in my life and how several problems I had been encountering were traced back to this character flaw. I am thankful for my wife who cared enough to speak the truth in love to me.
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