Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Exodus: Gods and Kings Adoption Movie Review
Moses and Ramses live in the house of Pharaoh, and they are
raised as cousins, but are as close as brothers. Pharaoh has confided in Moses
that he trusts him more than he trusts Ramses, but that because Ramses is his
son, Ramses rather than Moses will succeed him as Pharaoh. Unbeknownst to
everyone, Moses is a Hebrew. About 20 years ago, Pharaoh had decreed that all
Hebrew infant males should be killed. Moses’ family saved him by hiding him in
a river, and he was drawn out by a member of Pharaoh’s household.
Now, Moses is in a position of authority in Egypt. He visits a worksite where Hebrews are being used as slaves, and is appalled at their treatment and the luxurious lifestyle of their Egyptian overlord. A Hebrew elder shares with Moses the story of his birth and adoption. Moses angrily refuses it at first, but begins to accept it. The story was overheard by spies who share the truth of Moses’ Hebrew lineage with the Egyptian overlord, Hegep. Hegep tells Ramses, who exiles Moses.
A decade or so later, Moses believes that God has ordered
him to return to Egypt to free the Hebrews.
Aided by a series of plagues, Moses is able to lead the
Hebrews out of Egypt, but then Ramses gives chase.
The film sticks close enough to the Biblical narrative to be
predictable to anyone familiar with the story.
The Adoption
Connection
Moses was more or less adopted into Pharaoh’s family. Or put
another way, Moses was adopted into the family that was actively enslaving,
abusing and oppressing his entire birth culture, and, in fact, his adoptive
family would have wanted him dead had they understood who he was when they
found him.
Years later, Moses returns to free his birth family and
their entire community, but to do so, he must fight, terrorize, run from, and
risk the death of one who had been like a brother to him.
Moses’ true birth history has been hidden from him. He
learns it as a young adult from a stranger, who tells him that his father is
not who he had been told, but instead, “You were born a slave. The woman you
call your mother has no children. You know something is wrong. You’ve always
felt it.”
When Moses does discover his history, he meets his birth
mother. She gives him the remains of his umbilical cord, and he keeps it
wrapped around his thumb from then on. She calls Moses by his birth name. He
learns that a woman he has known his whole life is actually his birth sister.
He later meets his birth brother.
Moses’ interest in his birth family develops a few years
after he becomes a parent. This might mirror a similar development in the lives
of some adult adoptees.
Strong Points
From one point of view, Moses eventually identifies with and
embraces his birth family.
Challenges
Moses’ birth sister and mother tell Moses that they would
lie and die to protect him, saying, “That’s how much we love you.”
Moses leaves his son and wife behind, for what seems like a
very long time, in order to work on behalf of his people.
The plagues which lead to the Hebrews’ freedom are hard to
watch. Some viewers who have lost children to death or adoption might be
particularly stricken by the grief shown by the Egyptians when the final plague
results in the instantaneous, simultaneous death of every Egyptian firstborn.
We see one character cradling the limp (and later mummified) body of his very
young son.
Weak Points
To embrace his birth family, Moses must ultimately reject
his adoptive family. It makes sense within the context of the story, but it’s
not a helpful or healthy equation for adoptees in today’s world.
Although there are lots of problems with Moses’ adoption,
Nun’s statement to Moses, “The woman you call your mother has no children,”
could be taken to unintentionally imply that adoptive parents aren’t parents.
Moses initially responds in disbelief, saying, “That’s not even a good story.”
When Ramses discovers that Moses is a Hebrew, adopted into
the family, he has him locked in jail. To find this out, he had threatened to
cut off the arm of Moses’ birth sister.
Ramses is jealous of Moses because of a prophecy that suggested
that Moses would take Ramses’ place of leadership. He eventually places a
bounty on Moses’ head, saying “I want him dead, and his family as well.” He
even publicly hangs people for refusing to turn over Moses.
Recommendations
Exodus: Gods and Kings is an epic movie retelling an epic
story. A half-million people leaving, on foot, together, while fleeing from a
pursuing army. The action scenes are decent; they feel similar to Lord of the
Rings, but not quite as well done.
I don’t think this film will appeal to kids or to teens.
From an adoption perspective, I appreciate the value of Moses reconnecting with
his birth family, but I find the movie generally unhelpful; too often, adoptees
in movies are required to choose one family over the other (Meet the Robinsons,
Superman: The Movie are two examples, click for more). That’s already pretty unfortunate. It’s even worse when
your two families want the other side dead.
Exodus: Gods and Kings probably isn't a good choice for most
families dealing with adoption issues.
Questions for Discussion
How did the secrecy surrounding his history help Moses? How
did it hurt him?
How do those explanations relate to people’s reasons today
for secrecy or openness in adoption?
The film leaves it open to interpretation, whether Moses was
hearing God or hallucinating. What do you think?
Is it possible for someone to embrace both their birth
family and their adoptive family?
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Good points written on your review of this movie. I have not seen it yet, but this time, after reading your honest thoughts about the movie, I will give this a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks John. I'd be curious to know what you think of it!
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