When I told the children we were going to see the new Lego Batman movie, there were resounding whoops all round. Their exuberant reaction was probably based on how much they’d enjoyed the first Lego Movie released in 2014 – where ‘everything was awesome’.
With friends in tow, we settled into our comfy cinema seats, armed with the obligatory popcorn, sweets and soda and prepared to be amazed. Aside from the adverts that went on for way too long for anyone to endure, let alone four children under the age of ten, the main feature did not disappoint.
As in the first Lego movie, there’s plenty of fast-paced action and loads of laughs for the kids, as well as a generous helping of hilarious gags to keep the adults enthralled. Aside from all the clever one-liners, loud music and action-packed drama though, what endeared me most to this film, was the powerful storyline running throughout. In essence; we are better together than we are on our own.
Batman is still a lone-ranger in the fight against crime in Gotham City, but when Barbara (aka Batgirl) takes over as the new police commissioner, her plans for community involvement in solving crimes, threatens to undermine his one-man-show. He proceeds to reduce his arch nemesis to tears when he tells the Joker that he’s not important in his life and the Joker then retaliates by vowing to seek revenge on Batman.
Even when the Joker enlists the help of the most evil of global minds in an effort to destroy Gotham City, Batman continues to believe that he alone will be able to save everyone.
Although isolated and alone in his enormous empty house, and even though he has no one but his butler to celebrate his victories with, he continues to remain stubbornly determined to not allow anyone else into his world and he refuses to admit that he is lonely and needs others.
When Batman unwittingly adopts a son – Dick (aka Robin) – he begins to recognise the negative impact his selfishness is having on himself and those he starts to care about. As the drama unfolds, Batman realises the joy of opening up and allowing others into his world.
I loved this film. It was a striking reminder to me of what many health professionals are recognising as one of the great scourges of our time – loneliness.
I’m reminded of one of my favourite quotes from the seventeenth-century English poet and author, John Donne. “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.”
We are all stronger and better together, than we are on our own. Relationships are messy though, they involve the possible risk of terrible heartache and pain. They also invite us into one of the greatest joys of life – shared love and shared life.
Rather than allowing past hurts to keep people at arm’s-length, let us soften our hearts and allow people in. Our lives are so much richer for it. The greatest of treasures await those who journey in community with others.
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” – Proverbs 27:17 (The Bible)