Querube Barber - A Walk to Remember

How much impact can one person’s example have on another person’s life?

The film A Walk to Remember is a perfect example of Religion in the Movies. It is the story of a young man, Landon, and a young, lady, Jamie. They are in the same high school. Jamie’s father is the pastor of a church where Landon and his mother also attend.

Landon is a popular boy who gets enjoyment out of doing bad things. Jamie, on the other hand, is a living testimony of how a Christian should live a godly life.

Landon and his friends always make fun of Jamie because she always wears an old-fashioned sweater. One time when the bus is taking the students back to their homes, Jamie approaches Landon and tries talking to him. She has a Bible in her hands. Landon asks her if she doesn’t care what people think of her. Jamie tells Landon that she does not.

Landon gets in trouble in school, and as punishment, he is to help the custodian clean the school and be part of a drama club. Jamie is also part of the club. This club is practicing for a production. Landon is chosen for a part, so he asks Jamie for help memorizing his lines. Jamie tells him “yes, but you have to promise not to fall in love with me.” Landon thinks that this is easy for him since he would never even considering going out with a girl like Jamie.

In one scene, Jamie sings a song to him. This is when Landon falls in love with Jamie. After Jamie finishes singing her solo, Landon kisses her. This, of course, is not part of the play.

Landon asks Jamie out, and she tells him that she is not allowed to date. So Landon goes and asks her father for permission to take Jamie out. The pastor’ answer to Landon is a definite no. Landon tells him that all he is asking is for him to do what he preaches every Sunday; have faith. The pastor allows Jamie to go out with Landon.

Jamie also falls in love with Landon. Then, she tells him that she is sick and dying of leukemia. At first, Landon is angry and asks Jamie why she did not tell him before. She tells him that she did not want to be treated differently, and that she doesn’t “need a reason to be angry with God.”

Jamie’s faith in God was an example to Landon. He changes completely. One time when Jamie is in the hospital, she tells Landon that he is her angel to help her through her last days on this earth. Landon really loves Jamie and asks her to marry him. Landon wants to make Jamie’s last days on this earth beautiful and fulfilling. After they marry, Landon and Jamie spend one summer together. Then Jamie dies.

Throughout the movie, Jamie is always at peace even though she knows she is going to die very soon. There are many symbolisms in this movie, for example, every time water is shown, it is peaceful. The branches of the trees are always still and not moving. This is representing the peace and tranquility of Jamie’s spirit.

The Bible verse that is quoted several times in this movie is 1 Corinthians 13:4 - 5, which says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

Jamie’s life certainly showed that kind of love and patience toward Landon. As a result of her godly living, Jamie was able to witness to Landon, and Landon was changed from a mean boy without a purpose in life to a loving and kind person who went to medical school.

Do we show the kind of love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5?