Set in the early 1950s, a local authority civil servant played by Bill Nighy is given a cancer diagnosis and faces the challenge of how to live out his remaining months. There are hints that there was once vitality and hope in his life but all this has diminished to the extent that he merits the nickname ‘Mr Zombie’ given to him by one of his younger colleagues. I’ve been guilty in the past of wandering into plot spoiler territory when speaking of movies and television programmes so there I will stop. Except to say you will do yourself a favour if you take this one in and absorb its life affirming message.
Mind you, with what I have given you that might not seem to be the most enticing prospect. The storyline is not exactly unfamiliar, a man facing his mortality and how he responds. But Kazuo Ishiguro’s script shows that there is still much to be gathered in this well trodden path. Many people in communities all over the world are waking up today with Mr Williams’ challenge before them. And there comes a point for all of us when circumstances bring us to consider how we will live out what remains of our lives.
Perhaps that’s what motivated the man who approached us after the screening and asked what we made of it. That doesn’t happen very often and it was good to spend some time with this stranger and to listen as he shared the effect the film had made on him. But it’s a film that you want to talk about because in the end Mr Williams’ challenge is one we all face. As each day brings us closer to death how can we make the most of our lives? Can it be said that we are truly living?
Jesus once told a story about a man who would never be nicknamed ‘Mr Zombie’. A rich landowner, he had worked hard to produce a spectacular crop which would enable him to take early retirement. He now looked forward to many years in which in his own words he could ‘Take life easy; eat drink and be merry.’ But in the providence of God hours after he made this resolution his life came to an end. Where now were his plans?
Jesus’ comment on the story cuts deep. ‘This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God.’ (Luke 12: 21). I like the way Eugene Petersen paraphrases this: ‘That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.’
I’m glad they still make films like this. I hope it will be well viewed and just as importantly well discussed.
