Confronting Death

Christian thinkers have long concerned themselves with the art of dying well. Confronting Death is an hour-shy homily on the subject by a man who is himself in the last stages of a terminal illness: prolific author Walter Wangerin Jr., who is also a Lutheran minister and holds the Jochum Chair of English and Theology at Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he teaches literature and creative writing. Basically an extended sermon, marked by scriptural references, the film features the author describing how, after being diagnosed with lung cancer, his faith helped him accept the disease, as well as prepare himself, his wife, and children for his eventual death. The presentation, which consists primarily of Wangerin speaking directly to the camera (intercut with family photos and outdoor footage), is divided into five parts dealing with: 1) his initial response to the diagnosis, 2) seeing to family needs, 3) grieving before death, 4) dealing with fear and pain, and 5) taking comfort in his belief in the promise of eternal life for the Christian facing death. Wangerin's message takes a conventional Christian approach, while his engaging conversational style builds an easy rapport with the viewer, who can't help but be moved by the poignancy of the subject matter. Recommended. Aud: P. (F. Swietek)