The Blessing of Charlie Sand

Friendships, innocence, jealousy, anger and reason were all themes lightly touched upon in this evocative film, The Blessing of Charlie Sand. The challenge posed by a newcomer to the seemingly unshakable bond between ‘the Boy’ and his mate, Bubba, unfolded against a backdrop of visual splendour. This lush tropical island setting, amidst a lazy summer, tranquil beaches and childish abandon, transported me to my own summer holidays as a child enjoying the great outdoors and company of friends.

The arrival of Charlie Sand as the ‘other’ in this innocent repartee, and the gradual lure towards him by Bubba symbolised the challenge of difference and how we respond to it in life.

A soulful voice from the narrator enhanced the delight of this film. It conveyed so effectively the Boy's frustrated efforts in having to compete for Bubba's attention. How curiosity leads to a change in the status quo, is a familiar notion.

Such a genuine account from the Boy of feeling tossed to the outside, becoming progressively angrier with the world and those around him, culminated in a need to ‘burst’. However, when instead of bursting, the Boy witnesses what he believes to be the apparition of an Angelic figure (or was it his subconscious?), this somehow leads to the dissipation of all his angst, instantly. It was as if this angelic vision represented a metaphor that enables us to see situations from the perspective of others; a renewed clarity. That this clarity was spurred on by a celestial catalyst does resonate with spiritual traditions generally, wherein solace is sought from higher powers to help us understand the confusion around us.

The Boy's special experience of being touched by an Angel suggests a very childlike obsession with Angels, based upon a fascination with surreal and ethereal creatures. Indeed, as a child, I’m certain that I too saw an Angel in a dream once – much like the one seen by the Boy, complete with flowing dress, feathered wings and a serenely beautiful smile.

This film takes a childhood memory and transforms it into a delightful story exploring innocence, hope, faith and then clarity – experiences so eloquently communicated through the Boy's experiences and feelings. A beautiful film.

[The Blessing of Charlie Sand] This film attracted me from the start with its beautiful, lush setting, reminiscent of the green pastures and still waters of Psalm 23, and the great acting by the main character.

It’s the story of a young boy experiencing all the emotions that go with the defection of his best friend. When the intensely interesting Charlie Sand appears on the scene, the boy feels he cannot compete for his friend’s attention, and so withdraws. The ensuing supernatural experience is a bit overplayed, and the finding of the angel’s feathers contrived, but the latter makes the point that the experience was real and life-changing for the boy. His beckoning to Charlie to come and join the circle is a delightful moment – he displays the complete change of attitude that comes when Jesus Christ enters one’s life, his resentment replaced by the warmth of friendship. The narrator is the boy in adulthood, which allows his boyish feelings to be articulated. He gives no indication of how he eventually interpreted his experience, but the film left me feeling satisfied that he had come into a personal relationship with the living Lord Jesus.

[from the introduction] I'm afraid this film really didn't connect with me. I get the distinct feeling it was produced a long time ago. It has that ‘Walt Disney' feeling that seemed to be way too popular in the 70's and 80's. I have never been particularly keen on films that rely so heavily on narration, my opinion has always been that films are more than just books read out with pictures.