ON FAITH & MEDIA | Sleepwalking

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Sleepwalking

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Source: Catholic News Service

Somber working-class story of a good-hearted construction worker (an empathetic Nick Stahl) who bonds with his sister's 11-year-old daughter (AnnaSophia Robb) when her promiscuous mother (Charlize Theron) suddenly deserts them, eventually taking the girl to stay with his abusive farmer father (Dennis Hopper) after he loses his job and they run out of money. The central relationship between uncle and niece is touching, and performances, including Woody Harrelson and Deborra-Lee Furness as the man's concerned workmates, are fine, but first-time director William Maher's film is more sordid than uplifting, and the ending, redemptive in one sense, is morally problematic in another. Pervasive rough language and some profanity, a sexual encounter without nudity, some frank sexual remarks, domestic violence and murder, and underage smoking. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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John I: Pope John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Italy had been ruled for 30 years by an emperor who espoused the heresy, though he treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration. His policy changed at about the time the young John was elected pope.
<p>When the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the Arians of his area, the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the East to soften the measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner or outcome of the negotiations—designed to secure continued toleration of Catholics in the West. </p><p>When John returned to Rome, he found that the emperor had begun to suspect his friendship with his eastern rival. </p><p>On his way home, John was imprisoned when he reached Ravenna because the emperor suspected a conspiracy against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment, John died, apparently from the treatment he had received.</p>

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