For those of you have not yet discovered Tom Forman's "Shadows," you are missing out on what is perhaps the greatest film of all time. Those who are not concerned with spiritual and moral questions will probably dismiss the movie as a melodrama. Asians might be offended by the stereotype of the protagonist of the movie, Yen Sin, though in the end, the movie pays tribute to the deep wisdom and nobility of its main character. Those who think the movie is mediocre, may not have given a great deal of thought to the central questions of life. It is difficult to overstate the philosophical profoundity of this movie. To appreciate "Shadows", we must think outside the box, regarding our own viewpoint about the use of stereotypes, our prejudices against evangelical Christians, and the like. The movie subtly raises questions about the nature of man, for example, "Does the divine intervene in human affairs?" (Yen Sin's arrival by boat during a storm, and departure by boat when the storm is over.) "Is evil real" (or are they just 'Shadows' as the title suggests?) What is the difference between true religion and the outward form of religion? What is truly noble in man? Why do we fail to see the divine image in man? These are just a few of the questions raised by this movie - which many mistake for a simple melodrama. For those of you who missed the point of the movie, I recommend a second look. For those of you who haven't seen it, I recommend it as the most profound, and most ennobling work of art I have ever seen. But then again, much will depend on your openness to these questions.
Review of Shadows
