Rob Dufour - The Count of Monte Cristo

I personally love this movie; it is one of my all-time favorites. I feel that the acting, the plot, and the message behind the film to be to be simply amazing. This movie puts one of the most pertinent situations concerning religion front and center. Much like Job in the bible, Edmond Dantes, is confronted by awful scenarios in which all that is dear to him is taken away. However, unlike Job, Dantes renounces God after spending long years in the Chateau D’If, an off-shore prison meant for only the most hated criminals. After his escape Dantes begins to construct a plan for revenge. This too is a pertinent and important issue; revenge versus grace. Throughout the entire movie Dantes plans his revenge to perfection and does it in style. I like all of the scenes and the scenery in which his vengeful plot takes place. However, at the end of the movie Dantes gets the girl, has a son who he is very proud of, and Mondego (his former best friend and now enemy) was without money and woman. As Mondego and Dantes are about to fight, Mercedes (now Dantes’ woman and wife to be) pleads for Dantes to find grace and not fight Mondege. He follows suit, but is then provoked to fight and eventually has to kill Mondego. I feel that this movie perfectly depicts the stresses that God places upon us to remain good and righteous individuals even through times that test us. In all of our life we face temptation and the possibility for evil, but it is our good morals and character that keep us from doing bad. This movie shows the entire spectrum and can easily be applied to our own lives; which is also something I look for in movies.