Bridge to Terabithia
This week’s suggestion is one for the rental category. It’s a cute movie, though young children might find it pretty sad. Still, older kids (7-11) will find it exciting. I would recommend reading the book first, but we are a family of readers, so maybe that just makes sense for us.
It’s called “Bridge to Terabithia” and until we were about halfway through it, I had forgotten what happens to one of the main characters. It was one of those rare occasions when we watch the movie before reading the book but we were getting desperate when all the movies Dad was suggesting were met with groans from the gallery. So the tears begin flowing as (spoiler alert) it is announced that one of the main characters had died off-screen. First Mom, then child number four, then one, then two.
Then Dad.
Child number three kept looking around at everyone. A bit later, as the other main character sat in his bed, mourning his friend, the room was quiet – on the screen and in our home. It was in this quiet moment that child number three found his voice.
“Don’t any of these people pray?”
He knew there was sadness. He knew the people on the screen (and next to him) were broken-hearted. He knew the guy on the screen sitting in his bed was in a lot of pain.
And he knew prayer would help.
Sometimes, if you are quiet, a child still leads you.
Runtime: Rated PG (for thematic elements including bullying, some peril and mild language)
USCCB — A-II
85% on Rotten Tomatoes
IMDb Parents Guide