Is The Blues Brothers, which turns 30 tomorrow, a Catholic movie?
L’Osservatore Romano thinks so – and has devoted a whole page in tomorrow’s edition, plus an editorial from its editor, Professor Gian Maria Vian, to explain why.
It’s the newspaper’s latest foray into pop culture which, like its articles on the Beatles, Michael Jackson and others, will be welcomed by some as a refreshing innovation but leave others bemused and not a little irritated. “Vatican Gives Thumbs Up to The Blues Brothers” is the likely headline if some secular papers choose to run the story tomorrow.
So what does Vian say? He does actually seem to make some valid points, though I don’t know the film well so it’s hard to say.
“The clues are not lacking in a work where the details are certainly not random,” he writes. “To start with, there’s the framed photograph of a young and strong John Paul II in the house of the landlord of Lou ‘Blue’ Marini – a man with a Sicilian accent and dressed in black, therefore Catholic.”
Vian goes on to list other Catholic pointers in the film, such as the Catholic orphanage, called St. Helena and the Holy Shroud, where the two protagonists, Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) Blues, grow up, “Sister Mary Stigmata, called the Penguin,” who runs the institution, and the “unbearable Nazis of Illinois.”
He goes through the plot, a tale of redemption for paroled convict Jake and his brother Elwood, who take on “a mission from God” to save the orphanage from foreclosure. For anyone unfamiliar with the film, the two brothers decide they must re-form their rhythm and blues band, The Blues Brothers, and organize a performance to earn $5,000 to pay the tax assessor. Along the way they are targeted by a destructive “mystery woman”, Neo-Nazis, and a country and western band—all while being relentlessly pursued by the police.
Vian notes how they go about saving the orphanage, “but how to do it with validity without departing (too much) from the values conveyed by the sisters and despite some transgressions?” he asks. “Enlightenment comes in the Baptist church Triple Rock,” Vian explains, “where they listen to a sermon by the Reverend Cleophus James on the necessity not to waste their lives.”
He says it’s really the Protestant religion that causes Jake to “see the Light” and “triggers among the faithful a charismatic wave, obviously rock, but which above all will allow the brothers to reform “the band” to collect the dollars necessary to save the orphanage.” Vian recalls how, among other things, Elwood, even waives “an adventure with a charming young lady” to undertake his “mission from God.”
The movie and its music are “memorable”, concludes Vian, and adds: “According to the facts, [it’s] Catholic.” Elsewhere in the paper, a full page article describes the film as a “masterpiece”, “incredibly shrewd” and “full of ideas.”
All quite interesting – but whether this is really something that should court so much attention in L’Osservatore Romano which many see (incorrectly) as the Vatican’s official mouthpiece, is open to question.
Vian is a friendly, hard-working and well-meaning editor who has done much good for the publication, but his enthusiasm to regularly bring pop culture into the ‘Vatican’s newspaper’ may be all right in Italy, but to an increasing number it appears to trivialize the Vatican and, ultimately, the Church.
While movie and music reviews can rightly be a popular feature of many Catholic newspapers, many, myself included, feel L’Osservatore Romano is different and should instead be devoting its pages to more spiritual and lofty matters related to the faith.
What are your views?
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Another silly attempt by L’Osservatore Romano to be “relevant” to an international pop culture that is passing away with the world. The Blues Brothers is humorous - if you know the proper sequence of clips to mute - but it represents cultural Catholicism at best. I’d rather read about real Catholicism from the Roman Observer.
“The Blues Brothers” is one of my top-5 films of all times and definitely, as Micah notes, cultural Catholicism at its best (also, John Landis at his best). I would say that in the context of the film, none of the profanity is gratuitous (the scene with the Penguin is hilarious solely beacuse of its superb use of profanity and obscenity), but it definitely earns its R rating for the language: there’s no sex, no nudity, and the violence is cartoonish and inflicted only against automobiles for the most part. And it’s always been somewhat of a pride-point that the Illionis Nazis (“I HATE Illinois Nazis!”) target Jake and Elwood in part because they’re Catholic. And it succeeds at its primary goal (read: Dan Ackroyd’s primary goal) of being a kind of a who’s who of late-1970s popular soul music as well as being a welcome commentary on gigging life (“Oh, we got both kinds of music here: Country AND Western!”).
But, yeah, drawing attention to the film 30 years after it’s released is one of those “SO not relevant” moments that L’Osservatore Romano is known for. Still: better late than never!
I think that’s a pretty fair comment. I’ve had difficulty with the swearing before.
However, the sequel, Blues Brothers 2000, does have a lot of sexual content, particularly in one scene.
Sexual content in Blues Brothers 2000?? Oh! You mean the “634-5789” number. I wouldn’t consider that sexual content as it’s entirely satirical. I had more of a problem with the lameness of the “puffball bacteria” gag. But the movie had Joe Morton in it, so all is forgiven.
No, I was referring to the strip club.
This is also one of my all-time favorite movies, albeit I have to “be in the mood” to watch it.
This not a catholic movie for the following reasons:
1) Just because they have a nun (aka “penguin”) in a convent does make this movie “catholic”. For those who watch Hogan’s Heroes will recognize Kathleen Freeman in a beat.
2) Jake and Elwood are lapsed Catholics, betcha they haven’t been to Mass let alone confession since they became adults.
3) They go to a fundamentalist church service (probably Pentecostal), where Jake gets inspired to save the convent.
4) The WAY they get the money (stealing change from the coin-operated phone), the windshield wipers is not good.
5) The constant stalking of Jake’s ex-fiancee (Carrie Fisher) is flat out attempting murder (albeit “maybe” with good cause).
6) And I do believe there is sexual innuendo between Elwood and the mysterious lady (Twiggy).
7) Finally although I think it’s great Jake & Elwood are trying to get rid of Illinois Nazis, the fact that they still exist in the real world is very disturbing.
There are many more recognizable faces and everyone over 35 will appreciate the music. I would recommend you listen to the soundtrack and forget the movie if you have any issues with the moral ramifications.
At catholictothemax.com they subscribed to the idea long ago, with their JPII “On a Mission from God” t-shirt
I feel I have to answer LRoy’s criticisms point for point:
1) It’s an orphanage, not a convent. And it’s clear that the continued well-being of the orphanage (and the kids, and Curtis) is Jake and Elwood’s #1 priority, for which they’re willing to risk their life, reputation, and freedom. There is also a strong undercurrent of redemption, as they have to abandon their previous criminal lifestyle (though old habits do die hard) to raise the money legitimately. If a story of redemption and self-sacrifice isn’t “Catholic” then I don’t know what is.
2) Being a lapsed or bad Catholic doesn’t make someone less of a Catholic. Being an apostate makes someone less of a Catholic. And Jake and Elwood never once renounce their Catholic faith.
3) This is likely because James Brown would have seemed completely out of place preaching in a Catholic Church in the 1970s (as would the subsequent dance number seemed out of place). Also, Curtis isn’t a Catholic, so it’d make sense that he’d refer them to The Triple Rock. But many are the ways, right?
4) The whole point of the movie is that they have to raise the money legitimately. Stealing change from a phone machine to make the call to get the gig is on a par with Jean Valjean in Les Miserables stealing bread to feed his family.
5) The “good cause” here is hilarious, cartoonish comedy. She never actually kills anyone. Ever watch a Looney Tunes cartoon? When Bugs blows up Yosemite Sam with a pinao packed with dynamite, is that attempted murder, too?
6) This is called “flirting”. The scene establishes Jake as a ladies man, helps to explain Carrie Fisher’s motives in wanting to kill him, and sets up the brief gag where Twiggy waits at the hotel for Jake, completely stood up.
7) There’s probably enough in this world to blame John Landis for without blaming him for the existence of Nazis.
So “The Blues Brothers” is a story of self-sacrifice, redemption, community, honoring ones vocation, and doing the will of the Lord. Plus, it’s got great music, excellently coreographed dance numbers, and lots and lots of car crashes. If that doesn’t make it a “Catholic” film, I don’t know what film would qualify.
The Blues Brothers? Dunno. There is something about Jake and Elwood that makes you empathize with them for they are so obviously ignorant of the Faith yet have an unconscious affinity for it.
1938’s ‘Angels with Dirty Faces’ with Jimmy Cagnie and Pat O’Brien for me.
I really do believe L’Osservatore Romano should stay away from recommending movies. Too much mischief could come of it.
LOVE this movie! It is a million laughs! When we were holed up this winter with snow drifted over the Direct TV dish and with my 11 year old granddaughter home with us, I got this movie out. The language is rough but that is it. She has watched it over and over.
It is a wonderfully delightful movie!
I too roared out loud watching the Blues Brothers, rugerdon, as I did with ‘Uncle Buck’ and ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’, etc.
But, I suppose the bottom line is does L’Osservatore Romano have any business annointing a movie as a ‘Catholic’ movie?
I repeat, given the ways of today’s world, that move is fraught with trouble.
Re: “‘Vatican Gives Thumbs Up to The Blues Brothers’ is the likely headline if some secular papers choose to run the story tomorrow.”
Close! Here’s the Hollywood Reporter, with its headline “Vatican endorses ‘The Blues Brothers’”:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i90084bf05b70386f768b0955321c9ed8
ROFL!! oh, now I’ve seen everything… Can I get out my can of spray super glue now (good stuff!)... Orange crush anyone?? So all a move needs is a few Catholic props in the background, an orphanage to save, and an avowed “mission from God”, and no matter how much swearing, conniving, lying, cheating, smashing things up, as long as the “end” is “pure” the “means” don’t matter… as long as Blue Lou Marini is on sax and Aretha shows up, then everything’s fine… Hit it!
Lisa, if I may refer you to: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/no_movies_please/ . And, in case you hadn’t observed, the Bible is rampant when it comes to “swearing, conniving, lying, cheating, [and] smashing things up” but I’m pretty sure the ends of the story are pure there, too.
And, I believe you mean orange *whip*.
I agree that it is NOT a Catholic movie just because it had a Nun in it.
Does that scene with the nun make make the movie unacceptable for Catholics to watch? Some may think so but I think not. Satire is a legitimate form of humor and most Christians, including Catholics, have a sense of humor. One has to decide for themselves.
The Blues Brothers has a good plot, GREAT cast, great acting, and GREAT music.
Anyone seen: The Life of Brian? I’m not even going there!
I think comparisons between “The Blues Brothers” and “Life of Brian” (which Monty Python openly admit was intended to be blasphemous) are patently unfair.
I also didn’t think the scene with the Penguin was intended to be satire. She’s beating them with a ruler because they’re basically hoods. But as a result of that beating (and a visit with Curtis) they reform themselves (to some degree) and set out on the path of righteousness. In this case, a beating from a nun was most effective. And were it anyone but Belushi getting whacked, it wouldn’t have been nearly as funny.
“...‘Life of Brian’ (which Monty Python openly admit was intended to be blasphemous)...”
Uh, no. Quite the opposite, actually. Terry Jones, the Python member who actually directed that film, has stated repeatedly that Life of Brian is not “blasphemous” but “heretical”—which is to say, the film never insults Jesus (indeed, it expresses sympathy for him), but it does question traditional views about Jesus. There’s a significant difference between the two, I’d say.
The Pythons *do* admit that they initially *planned* to do a movie mocking Jesus—but then they read the gospels and various other books about Jesus, and they realized that Jesus was saying so many good things that there really wasn’t any way to make fun of him, but they *could* make fun of the disciples, of the messianic fervour that leads to so many sects and cults, of the fractious Jewish politics of the era, and so forth and so on. And so that is what they did.
When will some people in the Church learn that these naff attempts to “get down with da kids” are inane? What has happened to LoR all it does is generate stupid headlines in the world’s anti Catholic press especially over here in the UK.
Paul Burnell, Manchester, England
PS The Blues Brothers is one of my favourite movies but nothing to do with its allegedly Catholic characters. I’m just off for some chickens and dry white toast
Hi there, Peter. I was going from a mid-1990s documentary where the Pythons were discussing it and one of them (possibly Jones) was insisting it wasn’t blasphemous, but John Cleese insisted vehemently that it was. So I suppose it would be more accurate to say that Python sentiment is mixed on the subject.
Anyway, to say that God is not God is blasphemy, and that seemed to me the whole point of “Life of Brian” (secondary point: providing Classics Majors with SOME pop culture touchpoint for trade humor).
Re: Victor’s comment, June 16th. Actually, I think “eing a lapsed or bad Catholic” does make someone “less” of a Catholic. Presumably a lapsed Catholic no longer fulfills his religious obligations (i.e. Mass on Sunday, etc.) and therefore, assuming knowledge of the obligation and free will in not participating (while remaining unrepentant) , is in a state of mortal sin. That, I would think, does place a strain on his/her relationship with Christ and make him/her “less” of a Catholic. Being an “apostate” (i.e. having renounced the Faith) makes someone no longer a Catholic.
My first reaction was to agree with the L’Osservatore Romano writer in thinking of the Blues Brothers as a “Catholic Movie”. In fact, it occured to me that it is a Catholic movie in the same sense that Flannery O’Connor’s stories are “Catholic stories”. Both take place in a decidedly non-Catholic environment, and both decision38deal in non-Catholic imagery. The difference between O’Connor’s Catholic stories and the Blues Brothers movie is that in the former case, the author was a Catholic and her stories were informed by a Catholic perspective, openly acknowledged by the author. I’m not sure the same can be said about the Blues Brothers screenplay.
The Blues Brothers and Life of Brian (especially Life of Brian) are two of my favorite movies.
The Blues Brothers especially celebrates family. Where does Jake go after getting out of jail? He goes to visit the main mother figure of his life - the nun at the orphanage. Was she a saintly character? No. My husband, who attended Catholic school in the ‘60s, attested that a few nuns and even the lay teachers were pretty ruthless with their rulers. But she was family, so the brothers visited her and promised to help. And nothing stops them from fulfilling this promise.
While it silly now, Nazis who even called themselves Nazis had a bit of a resurgence, especially in the midwest, in the late ‘70s. These days, extremist political groups give themselves other names if they’re espousing Nazi views.
Life of Brian, which was very heavily criticized and protested by people who never saw it, is much more anti-fundamentalist/anti-cult than anything else. “Think for yourselves!” Brian pleads more than once.
What about the “one soiled” prophylactic in Jake’s pocket?!
I’d be the last person to condemn a person for practicing safe sex…;->
One of the points The Blues Brothers made was even if the guys broke the law and acted out, they were basically good guys, who risked going back to jail to protect their childhood home.
I’m not a Catholic but anyone who doesn’t recognize the Blues Brothers as a Holy Movie obviously can’t Holy See;-) For 30 years I have recognized it as a future book of the continuing Bible. I’m sure Jesus strained his spear wound cheering for the Brothers and Laughing at this one. Watch the whole thing again and note that at the end the entire culture and all the powers of the New Rome (Nazis, Police, Soldiers, Tanks, etc. are trying to stop the Orphanage Payment. Jesus’ thieves, robbers and the blind come through in the end and like JC end up in Prison for doing the right thing..
This man is a fool. Are you trying to appeal to a younger audience with your hoopla connection between faith and a cult comedy?
Consider the facts this man presents that make him believe this is a Catholic film: the landlord has a Catholic portrait in his room; there are two vessels of inspiration and motivation for our heroes in this movie: a nun and a church.
Now consider that the nun’s last name is Stigmata and the church is called Triple Rock. I don’t see how IRREVERENT isn’t stamping your head right now.
If instead our heroes were two prostitutes and all the rock-song anthems were replaced by scenes of two prostitutes doing what they know best, this man would still call this a Catholic movie. After all, Minnie the Moocher is heavily laced with drug references. Not to mention the brothers create more havoc than good in this film.
The true connection of this film is the one that rock n’ roll can be much like a religion to certain individuals! And everyone already knows that! You, sir, are a fool!
You know, the Lord said the religion would destroy itself from the inside out, by false leaders. And that is when He would come again. You need to be fired! I can’t believe someone in your position would try to do this to the faith and insult everything it stands for. If there is some way to get this man out, let me know. Let us all know.
We have inherited His Holy Mount Zion in Tehachapi (Jeoshaphat) and there will be some of The Chosen Holy Ones at Tehachapi Mountain Festival on 8-20 to 8-23-2010. We encourage all that know that they have been Chosen to come to the marriage of the Lamb…
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