I can’t remember the last time I was so impressed with/moved by a movie.

In America, a movie about an Irish family adjusting to their move to New York City, has been on my list of movies to watch for nearly ten years now and I finally sat down to watch it last night. What a delight! This is my kind of ‘pro-life’ movie: subtle, well made and superbly acted with just the right blend of humor, drama and heart.

Although one of the main characters does risk her health in order to give birth to her unborn child, it’s not some in-your-face anti-abortion movie (not that that would be a bad thing). It’s just a movie about life and learning to welcome it and enjoy it, even in difficult circumstances. The whole thing reminded me of a quote I came across last year from Fedor Dostoyevsky:

“Brother, I’m not depressed and haven’t lost spirit. Life everywhere is life, life is in ourselves and not in the external. There will be people near me, and to be a human being among human beings, and remain one forever, no matter what misfortunes befall, not to become depressed, and not to falter – this is what life is, herein lies its task.”

Life is a gift, our task is to receive it, cherish it and live it – in good times and in bad.

If you’ve never seen this one before, check it out. You won’t be sorry.