The movie "The Firm"

Lady Lee

I've seen this movie a few times and recently read the book. Then I watched the movie again. The author of the book, John Grisham, paints a pretty accurate picture of "The Firm" as a business cult. Authoritarian leadership, strict rules for those down the ladder, unrealistic expectations, no one leaves alive (or with honor), no full disclosure for recruits, etc. I know it is fiction but it shows how destructive cults don't have to be religious in nature. The book does a much better job of demonstrating the above than the movie does so if you have a chance give it a read. I'll bet there are a lot of books and movies that show how cults operate. Got some to share? Lee

Aculama

Really cool post! I saw the movie back when it came out, but at the time I didn't catch the underlying theme. I'll watch again.

Eyes Open

Thanks for the reminder about this, Lady Lee. Kind of ironic that Tom Cruise, a Scientologist, stars in it.

Others:

The Village

The Truman Show

Hot Fuzz

The Twilight Zone: To See the Invisible Man
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j4U-UUFYPLE

JeffT

I've written a novel based VERY loosely on my time as a witness. I'm currently trying to find an agent to represent me. I've also tinkered with the storyboards for two more one a business cult, another a political cult. But I haven't done much more than that because I'm also writing some historical fiction. And all of this in my spare time.

cameo-d

I liked the way you summed that up.

It is disturbing to see cult activity as a "business" but it is certainly all around us!

Realizing this helps us to understand why there is no justice in the world.

Maybe this movie was just a hint to people to wake up and realize truth and principle aren't victorious on its own merits. Many things are staged by others who owe favors or are obligated and has nothing to do with righteous principle.

Lady Lee

eyes open

Kind of ironic that Tom Cruise, a Scientologist, stars in it

A perfect example of not applying the information to personal experience - it's always "the other guy"

Lady Lee

cameo

in the book Take Back Your Life by Lalich &Tobias they state that destructive groups can be of any kind and of ony size even two people as in abusive relationships. Whenever there is a continuous imbalance of power there is the risk that the stronger will become the dictator.

The dynamics are the same - which I believe is why many people who grew up in abusive families, find some sort of comfort in the familiarity of a cult.

DanTheMan

"Under the Banner of Heaven" is a great book about fundy mormon sects in the American and Canadian West.

Octarine Prince

The Wicker Man

The movie "The Firm"

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