Oscar Shaw

Grade: NOT RECOMMENDED

Summary

This film's central theme of personal vengeance, even under the guise of 'restoring justice,' directly contradicts Catholic teachings on forgiveness and the proper administration of justice. While it may contain elements of fighting crime, the glorification of a lone individual seeking violent retribution presents a significant moral concern.

Moral Concerns

• Glorification of vengeance as a means to justice, violating the Fifth Commandment's spirit of charity and the Church's teaching on the state's sole right to administer justice.
• Potential for graphic violence given the 'Action, Crime, Thriller' genres and the 'perilous quest for vengeance' theme, which could cause scandal or desensitize viewers.
• The 'NR' (Not Rated) status, combined with the genre, suggests content that might be unsuitable for younger or sensitive audiences, potentially creating an occasion of sin through exposure to excessive violence or morally ambiguous actions.
• The protagonist's personal quest for 'redemption' through violence is a distorted view of true redemption, which is found through repentance and God's grace, not personal retribution.

Positive Elements

• Theme of fighting crime and seeking justice (though the method is problematic).
• Potential for themes of loyalty (to his friend) and commitment to protecting the community (though this is overshadowed by vengeance).

Detailed Analysis

The movie 'Oscar Shaw' is graded as 'NOT RECOMMENDED' primarily due to its central premise of a detective embarking on a 'perilous quest for vengeance' to 'restore justice.' Catholic moral teaching unequivocally condemns personal vengeance, as it usurps God's role and the legitimate authority of the state in administering justice. The Fifth Commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill,' extends to prohibiting hatred and vengeance, promoting instead charity and forgiveness. While the film may present the protagonist's actions as a fight against evil, the motivation of personal retribution, especially for a 'tragic loss,' is a grave moral concern. This narrative risks glorifying a sinful act (vengeance) and presenting it as an acceptable or even noble path to 'redemption,' which constitutes scandal. The 'Action, Crime, Thriller' genres strongly suggest the presence of moderate to potentially graphic violence, which, when coupled with the theme of vengeance, could desensitize viewers or lead them to believe that such violent retribution is justified. The 'NR' rating further indicates that the content may be unsuitable for a broad audience, potentially exposing viewers to material that could be an occasion of sin. While the desire to 'restore justice' can be a positive impulse, the means employed, particularly personal vengeance, fundamentally undermine Catholic moral principles regarding justice, forgiveness, and the sanctity of life. The film's portrayal of 'redemption' through violent retribution is a significant distortion of true Catholic redemption, which is found through God's grace and repentance, not personal acts of violence.

This review is based on traditional Catholic moral teaching as found in the Baltimore Catechism and the Ten Commandments. It is intended to help Catholic families make informed viewing decisions.