A Whole Life in Twelve Movies: A Cinematic Journey to a Deeper Spirituality

by Kathleen Norris, Gareth Higgins, James SJ Martin (foreword)

Come to the movies with two celebrated spirituality writers--American poet and author Kathleen Norris and Irish storyteller and peace activist Gareth Higgins.In A Whole Life in Twelve Movies, Norris and Higgins invite readers along as they discuss acclaimed movies that can help us better understand our lives--from before birth to death and beyond.Featuring 12 films, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Malcolm X, and Babette's Feast, this book is perfect for individuals or groups to watch and discuss movies over the course of a year. Each chapter recommends additional films and includes discussion questions ideally suited for churches, small groups, and book clubs.As readers watch and read, they will journey through the human life cycle and explore themes of existence, goodness, belonging, vocation, identity, success, generosity, dealing with conflict, and what it means to be human. The book outlines a cinematic path toward a deeper spirituality and a more meaningful life for believers across the faith spectrum and seekers alike. It includes a foreword by James Martin, SJ.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Cultural, Philosophy, Christianity

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Kathleen Norris was born on July 27, 1947 in Washington, D.C. She grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, as well as on her maternal grandparents’ farm in Lemmon, South Dakota.

Her sheltered upbringing left her unprepared for the world she encountered when she began attending Bennington College in Vermont. At first shocked by the unconventionality surrounding her, Norris took refuge in poetry.

After she graduated in 1969, she moved to New York City where she joined the arts scene, associated with members of the avant-garde movement including Andy Warhol, and worked for the American Academy of Poets.

In 1974, her grandmother died leaving Norris the family farm in South Dakota, and she and her future husband, the poet David Dwyer, decided to temporarily relocate there until arrangements to rent or sell the property could be made. Instead, they ended up remaining in South Dakota for the next 25 years.

Soon after moving to the rural prairie, Norris developed a relationship with the nearby Benedictine abbey, which led to her eventually becoming an oblate.

In 2000, Norris and her husband traded their farmhouse on the Great Plains for a condo in Honolulu, Hawaii, so that Norris could help care for her aging parents after her husband’s own failing health no longer permitted him to travel. Her father died in 2002, and her husband died the following year in 2003.

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a cinéaste who loves to explore spiritual elements in films, this book is for you. Beautifully written and organized, the book led me at first to just skim the list of films included, then dig deeper to find the spiritual treasures in movies I've seen and now must-watch. A must-have for every lover of the cinema!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Whole Life in Twelve Movies by Kathleen Norris and Gareth Higgins is a well written, and organized, discussion of twelve films that relate to different aspects or stages of human life. These films have been produced over a wide period of time, and some are more obscure than others. After each of the authors discusses the selected movie in each category, categories such as “waiting to be born,” “childhood,” “community,” or “the breaking and remaking of self,” they provide a list of questions for readers to use for self reflection after they experience the film (or even after reading the preceding discussion).

While I believe I have only seen four of the primary films discussed, I want to see those again and find the others, several of which I had never heard about prior to this book. Each chapter also uses other movies as comparison or examples in the discussion. There is also a list of films related to each chapter provided at the end of the book. I found this book thought provoking and thoughtful and plan to try to locate several of these films. This book could be used as a springboard for discussion among friends or groups. Recommended.

Thanks to Brazos Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.

[Martin Baggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid film enthusiast, I approached "A Whole Life in Twelve Movies" wondering how just twelve films could encapsulate the human experience. What unfolds is an intimate conversation about cinema's power to illuminate life's journey.

Norris and Higgins have crafted something special - a book that reads like eavesdropping on a fascinating dialogue between two deeply thoughtful viewers. Their analysis of films like "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Babette's Feast" transcends mere critique, using these works as launching points for deeper contemplation about existence, spirituality, and human connection. The authors' different perspectives - Norris's American poetic sensibility and Higgins's Irish storytelling background - create a rich interplay of ideas that enriches their observations.

What particularly struck me was how the book manages to be deeply spiritual without becoming preachy. Both authors bring their religious perspectives to bear on these films, but in a way that invites rather than insists. Their discussions had me immediately adding several films to my must-watch list, including "Malcolm X," "Paterson," and "After Life."

The inclusion of discussion questions and additional film recommendations transforms this from a simple film guide into a practical tool for group exploration and personal reflection. This book serves as both a thoughtful film guide and a spiritual companion, perfect for anyone interested in exploring how movies can deepen our understanding of life's big questions.

A big thank you to Brazos Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I have not seen most of these movies, I enjoyed the conversation between these two authors and how movies gave them the space to talk about life. I was particularly moved by the chapters on vocation that examined Paterson and Malcolm X, and the chapter on conflict that had me reconsidering Wonder Woman 1984. The questions at the end of each chapter make this perfect for a group, and there is a nice list of other films on the themes at the end of the book. (I was like … how are you going to have a chapter on community and not talk about Lars and the Real Girl?! But it was there at the end!) Of course I always enjoy the writing of Kathleen Norris.

This would be a good book for a group to work through and watch movies together. A Sunday School class could certainly use it, or a book/film club that meets once a month. I am not sure how available some of the films might be, but if you couldn’t find the particular one you could always use an alternate. I will be thinking about some of these essays for a long time.

[Howard Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read Dakota, Amazing Grace, and Acedia and Me by Norris. So, when I saw she had a new book, I pre-ordered A Whole Life in Twelve Movies, hoping to participate in an online group prior to its release. I didn’t get to participate because of work commitments but I wish that I had. Reading this book would’ve been enhanced by engaging with others to explore the rich insights from Norris and Higgins. They prove that films can serve to deepen our understanding of life.

While I was not familiar with most of the films, I appreciated the journey they show from cradle to grave. It deepened my understanding of the spiritual stages we go through. Thanks to Kathleen and Gareth for this wonderful book. I look forward to sharing it with one of my sons who studied screenwriting and film and has worked in television for the last several years.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever left a great movie and just wanted to talk about it, what it meant to you, how it made you feel, what the other person felt? A Whole Life in Twelve Movies by Kathleen Norris and Gareth Higgins does a marvelous job of shining a light on how movies can reflect a part of our lives and inspire us to go deeper. The book highlights 12 movies that have been meaningful to the authors and they challenge you to go deeper.

The format of the book is great as a read-alone book but also has tremendous application for friends who like movies and enjoy sharing too. I may well encourage my small faith community to make this our next focus!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Susannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beware of any books like this one with a Foreward by James Martin, SJ as he's a far left Liberal promulgating misinformation aberrant from the Church's teachings. As much as I enjoy Kathleen Norris' talent for communicating, it's such a shame that she espouses erroneous ideologies. Most of the movies she presents I haven't read, so that wasn't a deterrent in picking up this book. I did finish the book as it's at best a personal sharing of the author's difficult life, leaning into the movies' storylines as metaphors for reflection about her own journey. The Deeper Spirituality in her title is a bit of a clickbait as it's more a reflection than anything else. This is my last attempt at enjoying the author's writings. I hope and pray for her journey home and ours.

[Matthew Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the title and hoped for more. While the authors take the time to pick 12 movies, there are many more cited and discussed in each chapter. I enjoyed the discussion questions after the chapter to allow for a deeper dive into each movie and chapter subject matter.
I think that this is a great introduction for a person who loves film to wrestle with the author's thoughts. Each of us brings a unique perspective to our movie-viewing experience, and while some are well-known, these movies are very obscure. I'm interested in watching some of them, but for a modern audience, other modern movies could be used to help younger readers/viewers.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most film criticism doesn't consider the meaning of the films they review. Which is crazy when the stories we tell and consume order the ways we live our lives. This book is wise. Its writers provide the opportunity not only to watch some wonderful movies, they illuminate them in ways I would never have considered. In going in, my fear was that I might find it boring, overly academic, but that is not the case at all. It's written with a meditative, conversational tone that doesn't belabour its points. It's uplifting, encouraging and life-affirming. I have a digital version, but I'm glad to have the paperback on my shelf. I think I'll come back to it more than once.

[Andy Blackmun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely series of essays by two wise souls. They aren't as interested in the technical aspects of 'good movies' as much as they are thinking about what these films can say to readers about the reader's lives and their values. Aside from the author's own deep insights, the discussion questions they provide offer chances for more reflection and the list of other recommended movies on particular themes is a great way for readers to continue exploring meaningful movies.

[Mary Northrup · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Kathleen Norris's books and this one combines her love of movies with her views of spirituality (I highly recommend her -- she writes about such things without being saccharine or beating the reader over the head with it.).

[Books I'm Not Reading · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please don't waste your time on this. It's actually 14 movies and even the epilogue was just ridiculous. I watched some good films with my husband, but the book added little or nothing to our discussion of it. Maybe that's because we've been talking about movies for 25 years, but still!

[Noah Vance]

I gave this a quick read without meaning to finish—I just found it so compelling. But my plan is to read this again in chapters as I view the films they recommend—I’ll review once I’ve done that.

[Anne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last film in the book (Into Great Silence) is not available to watch unless you live in a few European countries. The rest of the book served as a good guide for a church film study this year.