Editor’s Note: The following was first published on November 7, 2006 and appears here as part of our “Meridian Classics” series to celebrate Meridian Magazine’s 25th anniversary.
“Write the truth.” Robert McKee scribbled it on the inside cover of his book when he autographed a copy for me. McKee is among the top screenplay consultants in the world. His book, Story, has become the bible for screenwriters.
I spent three intense days with Bob at his exclusive screenwriting seminar. By the time we said goodbye I recognized that his idea of “truth” and mine are vastly different. I agree with his brilliant analysis of story. I disagree with him on almost everything else. For me truth is grounded in faith, God, religion and a plan of salvation. For him “religion has become an empty ritual that masks hypocrisy.” Robert McKee is a Hollywood guy.
Hollywood script consultant Robert McKee’s inscription to Kieth Merrill in McKee’s book, Story. Write the Truth, it says. What truth means to many in Hollywood is vastly different to what it means to Merrill and others like him.
Once upon a time, “Don’t talk about religion or politics” was an honored social maxim. Now it is hard to talk about anything of substance without the “truth” being tethered to political ideology or religious dogma. It is certainly impossible to talk about Hollywood and movies without tromping over tarnished social barriers between polite and political. Between wrong/right and religion.
Why? Because movies are a significant battleground in the war on traditional values – and “values” – whatever that may mean to us individually – are inextricably fused with our religious and political perspective of the world. To do what must be done I am willing to invade both. If I offend tender sensitivities, forgive me.
I love Robert McKee. His book has been a powerful influence in my professional life. I liked meeting him. I enjoyed talking to him. He enriched my life and made me a better person – and a way better screenwriter. I admire his intelligence. I esteem his accomplishments. I respect his opinions but I disagree with almost everything he thinks is “true” in the realms of politics, religion and life.
“Let us agree to disagree” is a marvelous way for people to remain connected – and respected – even when their ideas and philosophies are vastly different. My truth is grounded in God, and all that implies. McKee’s truth is grounded in secular ideologies and all that they imply. You can be sure that there are more McKees than Merrills in Hollywood.
Hollywood is a favorite whipping boy for people who feel disenfranchised by the myriad movies that do not embrace their values or reflect their perspective of the universe. References to Hollywood however are by no means inclusive. Goodness knows there are a lot of great people who produce a steady slate of excellent praiseworthy films that somehow survive the Hollywood system.
Searching for God on the Silver Screen
My search for God on the silver screen is not intended as an attack on those who believe differently than I do. Nor do I have any illusions about changing the way they think or the nature of the movies they make.
To paraphrase a great religionist, I claim the privilege to believe in God, divine creation, and the values of the Judeo-Christian tradition according to the dictates of my own conscience and I allow all men and women the same privilege. However mightily I may disagree with them I respect their right to believe what they may and be what they will according to the dictates of their own conscience. [i]
As I respect and defend their right to do and be and say whatever they wish I claim for myself and companions the right to do likewise.
I want to write the truth. Not because Bob McKee made a note in my book but because I believe there is a God, morality is not relative and that truth is ultimately an absolute. That is why I am fascinated by the presence or absence of God and truth on the silver screen.
Kieth Merrill behind the camera on the set of Testaments. Kieth considers writing, producing and directing this large format movie about Jesus Christ one of the key landmarks of his career.
Since God is omnipresent, why is He increasingly so difficult to find in the movies? The answer is simple. Increasingly God, and that which emanates from Him, is being replaced by a new religion based on the philosophies of men and the doctrines of moral relativism. As always “Hollywood” is avant-garde.
The search for God in the movies accentuates the division between the mainstream motion picture industry and main street USA. Many movies from the heart of Hollywood not only tend to favor stories that are often…
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