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Road show: New movie stars Jessica Lange as LDS widow traveling in Utah
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Mom in MO | 4:53 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I've always wondered why it takes so long from wrap to premier in the movie
industry. That being said, I can't wait to see the movie. That is, if a
film about L.D.S. people gets any distribution out here.
Carole Knowles | 5:12 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Looks like an interesting and fun film. Can't wait to see it.
Homework? | 5:25 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I guess the writer missed the part about Mormons and ashes...... uh, they
don't mix.
Comments continue below
Dovie | 6:45 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I have know several active LDS people that chose cremation after they passed
away. It is not a common choice in Utah, but in some places it is the only
choice available, it is not the most preferred LDS interment but it is
considered respectful and is not in conflict with LDS doctrine.
Debbie | 6:52 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I guess homework didn't do her(his) homework!!
This quote directly from the church public affairs department "Generally, cremation is not encouraged. However, in some countries the law requires it. The family of the deceased must decide whether to cremate the body"
See where it says the family must decide!? My husband is a bishop and we have dealt with this issue a number of times. With counsel and prayer each family must decide. Hopefully, before they die people make their wishes known. My mother chose to be cremated but my dad wants to be buried. My mother's ashes are buried in their plot.
Be careful when you assume a "good" mormon would not choose cremation and do your homework completely!! The assumption that the church says no to this is not the case today!!
This quote directly from the church public affairs department "Generally, cremation is not encouraged. However, in some countries the law requires it. The family of the deceased must decide whether to cremate the body"
See where it says the family must decide!? My husband is a bishop and we have dealt with this issue a number of times. With counsel and prayer each family must decide. Hopefully, before they die people make their wishes known. My mother chose to be cremated but my dad wants to be buried. My mother's ashes are buried in their plot.
Be careful when you assume a "good" mormon would not choose cremation and do your homework completely!! The assumption that the church says no to this is not the case today!!
DayJob | 7:05 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Homework should check the facts. There is no official LDS doctrine or direction
that prohibits the cremation of remains. As long as the body is treated with
respect before, during and after creamation The Church has no problem with it.
Creamation is, after all, just speeding up the process of "ashes to
ashes".
Funeral Director | 7:57 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Speaking of facts... Cremation is spelled CREMATION and not creamation.
Spellcheck | 8:24 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
DayJob should check the spelling of "cremation." It has nothing to do
with whipping cream.
Gary S. | 8:38 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Debbie: don't be too hard on "Homework." He or she was not
asserting official doctrine, and it is true that cremation is very unusual (not
wrong, just unusual) among LDS.
Yes, we see where it says the family must decide. See where it also says "cremation is not encouraged"? None of my relatives are bishops so what do I know, but when the Church says something "is not encouraged," it is unusual for members to interpret that as unhindered permission to do it.
Now, it sounds like cremation is central to this movie's plot (no pun intended), so I don't fault the writer. Besides, comedy is all about surprising the audience with unusual stuff. (Which begs the question...which has the funnier potential for a movie: driving ashes across the West when your religion does not encourage cremation, or driving a corpse across the West regardless of your religion? The latter has already been done, by the way.)
Yes, we see where it says the family must decide. See where it also says "cremation is not encouraged"? None of my relatives are bishops so what do I know, but when the Church says something "is not encouraged," it is unusual for members to interpret that as unhindered permission to do it.
Now, it sounds like cremation is central to this movie's plot (no pun intended), so I don't fault the writer. Besides, comedy is all about surprising the audience with unusual stuff. (Which begs the question...which has the funnier potential for a movie: driving ashes across the West when your religion does not encourage cremation, or driving a corpse across the West regardless of your religion? The latter has already been done, by the way.)
Jessica Lange is HOT | 8:50 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Still HOT as ever.
Creamy ashes? | 8:57 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Perhaps they want to be "cream" ated.......you know, like put it in a
mixer and cream it???? Kind of messy, though.....and where would you find a
mixer that big? And cleaning the beaters, wow!
K | 9:24 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
If the movie is half as funny as some of the comments on here, I can't wait
to see it!
Daniel | 9:30 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Sounds like a great movie.
"The Daily Verse: New Testament"
"The Daily Verse: New Testament"
Anonymous | 9:44 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I have to agree with Gary S. I don't think "homework" is making
a judgment call on members of the LDS faith who cremate deceased family members.
The first thing I thought about when I read the word "ashes" was that
we might have another film about Mormons written by a non-Mormon who does not
understand the culture. It would be slightly unusual for a Mormon woman to
transport her husband's ashes, not wrong, unusual. It calls into question
the authenticiy of the movie, that's all.
Slim | 10:11 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I've given a lot of thought about burial and cremation, and decided that I
want to be buried sitting in my recliner. A remote in one hand, a can of Bud in
the other, and my golf clubs right by my side.
observer | 10:29 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I think Slim has it right.
Johnson | 10:35 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I myself would prefer cremation, but with that mildly prohibitive guidance from
the church, cannot really consider it. It would be nice to have a bit more
direction, or some clarification as to why it is discouraged.
BobP | 10:49 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I am an Active LDS who is getting on. I have nothing against cremation and I
don't like any emphasis on a fancy funeral - its a waste of money.
One thing that I do insist on is that the ceremony include Amazing Grace of the bagpipes. My present BP is a little hesitant on the bagpipes.
Looks like a great movie. I live a 4 hour drive from a theater so I will have to wait for the DVD.
One thing that I do insist on is that the ceremony include Amazing Grace of the bagpipes. My present BP is a little hesitant on the bagpipes.
Looks like a great movie. I live a 4 hour drive from a theater so I will have to wait for the DVD.
You're all assuming.... | 10:49 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
...that the woman's cremated husband was Mormon.
As for cremation: what's more honorable?
1 - Draining the blood on a stainless steel table, filling the veins with chemicals, sewing the orifices shut so they don't leak, and putting wax and heavy makeup on the body so they look "asleep"? THEN, you put all of this in a sealed container and bury it underground...where you end up with a box of meat in a sealed container, buried underground. All this after being sold a little piece of land (at a proportional rate approaching $3-$5 million per acre?)
OR
2 - Hastening the eventual process by burning the body at high temperatures, then spreading those ashes in a beautiful place where they become part of nature?
I vote for #2.
As for cremation: what's more honorable?
1 - Draining the blood on a stainless steel table, filling the veins with chemicals, sewing the orifices shut so they don't leak, and putting wax and heavy makeup on the body so they look "asleep"? THEN, you put all of this in a sealed container and bury it underground...where you end up with a box of meat in a sealed container, buried underground. All this after being sold a little piece of land (at a proportional rate approaching $3-$5 million per acre?)
OR
2 - Hastening the eventual process by burning the body at high temperatures, then spreading those ashes in a beautiful place where they become part of nature?
I vote for #2.
Seen it | 11:08 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I've seen the movie "Bonneville" on Princess Cruise coming back
from Hawaii. It is funny and show some great scene from around the state of
Utah.
Cedar | 11:03 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Talk about nit-picky! Being an English major, I have "pet" spelling
peeves also, but did any one of you that pointed your typing-fingers @ DayJob
notice the word WAS spelled correctly the first time? Get OVER yourselves!
Anonymous | 11:26 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
The church does not encourage cremation. Plain and simple. The issue with the
church is that it is a worldwide church and therefore has to deal with people
who live in other countries who make them cremate their loved ones. Come on
people, when the church says it is not "encouraged"....its not
encouraged.
just a note | 11:35 a.m. Feb. 29, 2008
all those chemicals retard the body from turning into ash. it preserves it. your
grandmother would call it pickling. 50 years from now still the same body. maybe
creAmation is the best option.
movie time | 12:13 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I cant' wait to see this film. Kathy Bates and Jessica Lange woot! woot!
Bunch of whiners | 12:32 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I can't believe this. We finally get a movie made about LDS life that looks
like it might be at least somewhat representative of who we are (and might even
portray us as real people) and some of us are sitting here complaining that they
got the cremation "issue" wrong. Get out of the bubble, folks. That
cremation is "not encouraged" doesn't imply that it's wrong.
I for one am going to see this movie, even though I'm a male in my late 20's and I have no interest in the movie. I would just like to see a movie that wants to treat us fairly reap some fantastic profits. Maybe that would send Hollywood a message.
I for one am going to see this movie, even though I'm a male in my late 20's and I have no interest in the movie. I would just like to see a movie that wants to treat us fairly reap some fantastic profits. Maybe that would send Hollywood a message.
Big Al | 12:36 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
So how did an article about a beautiful and talented actress turn into a debate
about religeous doctrine and a spelling bee? Only in Utah.
movies? | 1:06 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Looks like a great movie? Wy? because it is about a LDS lady taking her
husbands remains home? What if shw was a JW? Would you still think it was a
great movie?
Lange never was a good actress, and her looks have gone away with the ashes and booze. Like most actors/actresses.
How about a movie that actually is factual towards its subject matter?
I recently watched the movie about Coach Haskin's and the Texas Western (El Paso) college basketball team's national championship season.
If you read the history you see that the movie is 10% (or more) real nonesense and fiction... and enough to sway you to think like they want.
Lange never was a good actress, and her looks have gone away with the ashes and booze. Like most actors/actresses.
How about a movie that actually is factual towards its subject matter?
I recently watched the movie about Coach Haskin's and the Texas Western (El Paso) college basketball team's national championship season.
If you read the history you see that the movie is 10% (or more) real nonesense and fiction... and enough to sway you to think like they want.
LVIS | 1:28 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
All this debate on cremation just burns me up. However, I did hear on good
authority that it costs a lot more to cremate someone than to bury them, because
the government will tax everything you urn.
JP | 1:39 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Big Al, you nailed it. I love Jessica Lange; watching her with Kathy Bates will
be a treat, even though I'd bet money there will be many incorrect
assumptions about mormon women and doctrine.
SLMG | 1:57 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Cremate or burial????
Joseph Smith said: "We give them the principals and they govern themselves".
I take this to mean use your own judgement if it is not specified as doctrine. We as LDS belong to a world wide church so if it is okay to cremate a member in India, Japan, New York or any other place in the world why not Idaho or Utah?
To encourage or not to encourage is not doctrine. Use your own judgment as to what is best for you and your circumstances.
I am looking forward to the movie.
Joseph Smith said: "We give them the principals and they govern themselves".
I take this to mean use your own judgement if it is not specified as doctrine. We as LDS belong to a world wide church so if it is okay to cremate a member in India, Japan, New York or any other place in the world why not Idaho or Utah?
To encourage or not to encourage is not doctrine. Use your own judgment as to what is best for you and your circumstances.
I am looking forward to the movie.
Creamy Ashes | 2:16 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
You guys really need to lighten up. I was having fun with the MINOR spelling
error, and LVIS is doing the same with word play. If you want to go see the
movie, then go. If it puts the Church in a good light, then fine. Hollyweird
isn't the best on facts, but lean more to the dramatic. C'mon guys,
smile and get on with life.
Kentucky Mom | 2:21 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I loved the pun by LVIS...!
Isn't it true that you can't take a dead body across state lines, but you can take an urn of ashes? Maybe her husband wanted to be buried, or spread, or whatever, in CA, so she had to have him cremated to do so...? Just a thought...
I hope we get this movie in KY, but it will probably be boycotted by Baptists...so sad...
Isn't it true that you can't take a dead body across state lines, but you can take an urn of ashes? Maybe her husband wanted to be buried, or spread, or whatever, in CA, so she had to have him cremated to do so...? Just a thought...
I hope we get this movie in KY, but it will probably be boycotted by Baptists...so sad...
get a life! | 2:32 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Bunch of whiners 12:32 -
"...a movie that wants to treat us fairly."
So look who's whining.
Same old never-ending "the world is persecuting us" childish nonsense.
Take some responsibility for your lives!
The world could care less about your religion and peculiar ways.
"...a movie that wants to treat us fairly."
So look who's whining.
Same old never-ending "the world is persecuting us" childish nonsense.
Take some responsibility for your lives!
The world could care less about your religion and peculiar ways.
Ken | 2:53 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Cremation nothing. I think the BIG question is whether she acts like a Utah
Mormon or a non-Utah Mormon...
Ben | 3:25 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
... or a Salt Lake Mormon or Provo Mormon ...
Bagpipe Fan | 3:39 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
to BobP... ask your bishop if he saw President Hinckley's funeral...
complete with bagpipes!
DLS | 4:19 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
This is a movie about 3 LDS women on a road trip. Based on this premise the
movie could be 100% accurate and still miss the mark as far as accurately
portraying mainstream Latter-day Saints. How many quirky (active) sisters do you
have in your Ward. Personally we have a few.
Dale | 4:25 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Some of you here have made a real ash of yourselves.
Tess | 4:35 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Did it ever occur to anyone that maybe, just maybe the husband wasn't LDS?
(Just a thought) and besides, it just doesn't matter! What does matter is
here are three great actresses doing a body of work that is worthy of our time
and money. Hollywood churns out such junk anymore so when something comes along
that has some substance and a decent storyline, I'm up for it. Joan Allen
is absolutely fabulous, Kathy Bates made big a beautiful thing and how can
anyone not appreciate the depth and beauty of Jessica Lange? Three great ladies!
I do agree, that as great actresses get older, they do get overlooked for a
young face. I do get a kick of out the mentality of SL or Provo Mormon. Get a
life people!
Anonymous | 4:58 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Uh-oh!
I wonder what the faithful would think if they knew that Kathy Bates is openly gay?
Sounds like another one of them liberal Hollywood movies to me. (wink)
I wonder what the faithful would think if they knew that Kathy Bates is openly gay?
Sounds like another one of them liberal Hollywood movies to me. (wink)
Science | 4:58 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
I say we just donate our bodies to science.
no big deal | 5:16 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Without seeing the film, I have a feeling that the references to these
women's characters being Mormon is marginal to the story line and the film
itself.
It's just the wacky Utah people that insist on making a big deal out of it.
If they made a made-for-TV film about Mark Hacking I wonder if they (the Mormons) would ooh and ahh over it?
It's just the wacky Utah people that insist on making a big deal out of it.
If they made a made-for-TV film about Mark Hacking I wonder if they (the Mormons) would ooh and ahh over it?
Juan Figuroa | 6:24 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
There is no law prohibiting the transportation of meat -- er, bodies -- across
state lines. If there were, the cops could arrest people exiting the Wendover
McDonalds.
Besides, if you've got a fresh corpse in your car, you've probably got bigger legal problems than the one of whether or not you're crossing state lines.
I'm just sayin'.
Besides, if you've got a fresh corpse in your car, you've probably got bigger legal problems than the one of whether or not you're crossing state lines.
I'm just sayin'.
LIfe is like a box of chocolates | 7:36 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
....you never know what you're gonna get. Sounds like a great movie.
looking forward to it if it is really PG.
Ron | 7:44 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
A good mormon in good standing should not be cremated, it is contrary to church
policy. Also, we need to give more care to what movies we see.
To Juan Figuroa | 8:16 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
You must listen to the Jim Rome Show.
ScottAZ | 9:54 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008
Just saw the movie....definately a chic flic. It was OK, of course, they got to
have the coffee drinker, and the 'good LDS girl' who gets tempted to
gamble and gives in. However, it could be taken as a lesson that none of us are
immune from giving into temptation under the right circumstances. Non-members
will see this as how most/all of LDS women are, whereas members know that these
women are the exception, not the rule.
Sarah | 3:05 a.m. March 1, 2008
As someone that has actually had to cremate a endowed member of the church (my
mother in law) there is NO OFFICIAL CHURCH POLICY. We got MIL in her temple
clothing and she was then cremated. The church asks that either they are
wearing there clothing, or it is layed on top of them before the cremation.
And for those thinking I should go to you know where because we cremated her, my Dh and I had to pay for the whole thing ourselves. And us newlyweds had no money to pay for it. It cost us about $500.00 to cremate her (we haven't buried her yet, since we don't have the money for that). Do you really think the church would of preferred that we get into some Huge amount of debt to have her properly buried???
Seriously now, people need to loosen up a bit. Those that sling improper, inflamatory "church doctrine" around, don't understand how it drives people away from the church.
And for those thinking I should go to you know where because we cremated her, my Dh and I had to pay for the whole thing ourselves. And us newlyweds had no money to pay for it. It cost us about $500.00 to cremate her (we haven't buried her yet, since we don't have the money for that). Do you really think the church would of preferred that we get into some Huge amount of debt to have her properly buried???
Seriously now, people need to loosen up a bit. Those that sling improper, inflamatory "church doctrine" around, don't understand how it drives people away from the church.
Caroline on Cape Cod | 4:14 a.m. March 1, 2008
Oh my gosh! I can't believe the bad attitude of many of these comments.
If you are interested, see the movie. If you're not, don't see it.
Cremation is not an LDS crime. My views on cremation have never been part of my
temple recommend interview. Please stop being so rude to each other, you are
just making yourselves sound bad.
Provo Mormon | 4:11 a.m. March 1, 2008
Oh brother! Some of the comments here really crack me up. People are making
all sorts of assumptions based on very little information. As others have
pointed out, we don't know if the woman's husband was LDS or not. Even
if he is, plenty of active LDS people opt for cremation. (Including my wife, and
she's very nearly convinced me as well.)
We only know the 3 women are supposed to be mormons; we don't know whether they're supposed to be "mainstream" Mormons, Stake Relief Society President-types, or somehow disaffected/disenfranchised members. Of course it would really be a stretch for a Hollywood movie to deal with subtle distinctions like that, but think about it... if they were just average, run-of-the-mill, aging Mormon soccer moms, complete with idealized families and totally conforming to LDS cultural norms, how interesting would this movie be for anyone (LDS or not)? I, for one, hope they've made the characters *interesting*. And if that results in characters some Mormons don't think portrays an idealized version of their religion, well, it doesn't matter much to me. It's called Entertainment, not Proselytizing or even Advertising.
We only know the 3 women are supposed to be mormons; we don't know whether they're supposed to be "mainstream" Mormons, Stake Relief Society President-types, or somehow disaffected/disenfranchised members. Of course it would really be a stretch for a Hollywood movie to deal with subtle distinctions like that, but think about it... if they were just average, run-of-the-mill, aging Mormon soccer moms, complete with idealized families and totally conforming to LDS cultural norms, how interesting would this movie be for anyone (LDS or not)? I, for one, hope they've made the characters *interesting*. And if that results in characters some Mormons don't think portrays an idealized version of their religion, well, it doesn't matter much to me. It's called Entertainment, not Proselytizing or even Advertising.
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