In the old days filmmakers were forbidden to mock a clergyman while in performing his role. The Hayes Code specifically warned against trashing religion and religious leaders:

• No film or episode may throw ridicule on any religious faith.
• Ministers of religion in their character as ministers of religion should not be used as comic characters or as villains.
• Ceremonies of any definite religion should be carefully and respectfully handled.
  

We've come a long way, and not necessarily ended up at a better place. The treatment of religion in film is a touchy subject. On one hand, most agree that the questioning, even mockery of theological belief is fair game. On the other, it is a very serious matter that shouldn't be handled lightly. The Hayes restrictions were an attempt to protect religious expression from the snide attacks of film producers. This protection was not necessarily the best thing, if your theology can be effectively dismantled by a filmmaker its not much of a belief. I think we have gone too far the other direction though and now religion is mocked simply because it exists and is available to be slandered (filmmakers know that religions, with one blaring exception, will not retaliate to verbal attacks).

When you see a religious figure on screen, note how they're treated, how they're presented. Then look at the followers of that religion you've met in real life. Does the real people and their presentation in film match up? If not, if say the believers are shown to be violent, wild-eyed fanatics and the real people you've are generally good people not given to theocratic impulses, ask yourself why the filmmaker would create a disproportionate image of those people. Is the misleading image the result of bigotry or ignorance? This is good to do any time you see a specific social group presented in film.

Labels: miscellaneous, movie watching tip