Love Thy Nature

In Love Thy Nature, filmmaker Sophie Rokab pairs breathtaking visuals with "green" sentiments that are generally greeting-card level in both language and depth. Liam Neeson provides the voice of "Homo sapiens sapiens," the spirit of humanity that has always sought to dominate nature, but now—after 300 years of industrial progress—finds itself struggling with the planet's endangered ecology. Remarks from experts in bio-mimicry, cosmology, alternative medicine/energy, and climate change are joined with quotations from John Muir, Rachel Carson, and Leonardo da Vinci in celebrating the natural world and how we can maintain a saner, more sustainable lifestyle in harmony with creation. Cementing the resemblance to a PowerPoint presentation are the closing series of bullet-point recommendations about recycling, bonding with animals, reducing stress, avoiding factory-farm products, etc. Lovelier by far than most environmentalist manifestos, but still fairly basic in content, this inspirational film should still be considered a strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)