Katie Wilmouth
RELI 124-08
March 15, 2010
The Issue of Morality in Crimes and Misdemeanors
One critical theme in Woody Allen’s film Crimes and Misdemeanors is God’s role in establishing moral or ethical values in humanity. The film questions whether morals are dependent on an individual or an authority such as God. We see a misconception of what it morally right in the character of Judah Rosenthal, a wealthy ophthalmologist who entered into a several year extramarital affair with a flight attendant named Dolores. After Dolores threatened to reveal their affair to Judah’s wife, he decided to have his brother hire someone to murder her. Judah’s view of the world is pessimistic. He perceives it as a harsh and empty universe. During one scene in the film he stated, “God is a luxury I can’t afford” (Crimes and Misdemeanors). The film leaves us with the notion that Judah eventually felt no guilt for instigating the murder of Dolores and his life prospered after her death.
In contrast, the character of Ben, a rabbi and patient of Judah who is losing his eyesight, believes the world possesses a moral structure that originates from God. In the midst of a discussion with Judah about differences in their views of the world, Ben said, “ You see it as harsh and empty of values and pitiless. And I couldn’t go on living if I didn’t feel it with all my heart a moral structure, with real meaning, and forgiveness, and a higher power, otherwise there’s no basis to live” (Crimes and Misdemeanors). Ben’s optimistic view of life and his ability to distinguish right from wrong form the basis of a morally sound individual.
In a flashback during the film, Judah is watching his family celebrate a Passover dinner. He asked what the consequence of killing was and his father answered that one way or another the perpetrator would be punished. An aunt added that if the person responsible for the crime could get away with it and is not bothered by the ethics, then he walks free. When Judah realized that he would continue to live his life free of punishment his situation became that of the belief in no moral truths. Ben is lucky in that his worldview allows him to have a genuine religious faith.
The film Crimes and Misdemeanors demonstrates that the universe is not a friendly place. In the film it is implied that we are not always punished for our wrongdoings. Judah walked free of guilt because he was lucky enough not to be caught and strong enough to suppress his conscience. Murder is an example of an injustice that needs to be corrected and probably never will. Others include genocide, starvation, illness, and slavery. What some people fail to realize is that God is not responsible for these injustices.
A social and moral injustice that is currently plaguing this country is the lack of health care. The United States is the most industrialized country and yet it is failing to provide the hard working people who made it great affordable and quality health care for themselves and their families. The Congress has not yet found a solution to the current health care system that is inefficient and unaffordable to Americans and replace it with a national health insurance.
The greatest injustice in our world is ignorance of accepted moral values, something to which any person can be susceptible. The Lord’s guidance is not always the solution to distinguishing right from wrong. To do what is right is a decision we must select on our own. Just the other day I saw a mom purchasing groceries at the self-checkout in Safeway and watched as she put some items in the bags without scanning them. The first thought that came to my head was whether or not I would do the same thing in this situation. This is a circumstance where the lines between right and wrong begin to blur. How far should one go in order to provide what is necessary for survival?
In today’s society many people know what is morally right in any situation and simply choose to ignore this conviction. The world will not be a friendly place until humanity embraces love instead of hate. Ernest Hemingway once said, “I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.”
Works Cited
Crimes and Misdemeanors. Dir. Woody Allen. Orion Pictures, 1989. DVD.
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