The Mighty

Buena Vista Films
PG-13

Maxwell Kane is an outsider. He is tall and big for his age, and he isn't very good at school. He is living with his grandparents and is taunted by his peers as the son of a murderer (his father is in prison for killing his mother). Because of the way his peers label him, Max comes to accept their characterizations. He doesn't stand up for himself and avoids sticking out in a crowd.

That is Max's life until Kevin Dillon moves in next door. Kevin is small, wears leg braces, and is as smart as could be. And, he has more lip and nerve than any kid around. But because of his disability and brains, Kevin is an outcast, too. Instead of withdrawing, Kevin finds courage and strength in the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

As you might guess, Max and Dillon come together. To the local bullies they are "Frankenstein and Igor," but together they form one courageous knight--Kevin the brains and Max the legs. Inspired by King Arthur, they set out to right wrongs, slay dragons and rescue damsels in distress all in their hometown of Cincinnati.

The Mighty is a wonderful movie about what it means to be friends, how to fight off the labels people put on us, and how--together--we can work for the common good.

Some senior high youth might find the link to King Arthur a bit lame, but the movie draws viewers in quickly, so if they hang in there they will enjoy it. Junior high students should be able to relate to the characters of Max and Kevin very quickly.

Discussion questions

• The movie ends on a word of hope after a great tragedy. Ask youth what they liked or disliked about the movie. What is their reaction to the friendship between Max and Kevin?
• Have the students read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. (Note: since we do not use the book of Ecclesiastics very often in church, you might want to note that it is a book of wisdom--observations that an experienced person of faith has made about life with God, life with other people and life in general. Tell them Ecclesiastes 3 is a familiar passage of scripture. Some young people may find the words familiar, but not know they came from this book of the Bible.)

This passage is sometimes read at weddings, referring to the bride and groom. However, as you can see from its context, the passage is meant for all people. The passage reveals God's wisdom in creating us to live in community. We're meant to have family and friends! How did Max and Kevin live out the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 4? How did they pick one another up when they fell? How did they keep each other warm against the coldness of the world? How did they prevail against those who tried to make them fail?

• Continue this line of discussion by reading 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. How did Kevin and Max live out these words of St. Paul? At one point in the movie Max says, "he [Kevin] became my brain and I became his feet." Do we have that kind of appreciation for our brothers and sisters in Christ? Why or why not? Could it be that sin makes us want to put down others to make us seem more important? Did Jesus have anything to say about this? (read Mark 10:35-45).
• As Kevin and Max become friends, they look beyond each other's weaknesses to see strength. They affirm and uplift one another. When Max puts himself down because he isn't as smart as the rest of the class, Kevin is quick to point out that the dinosaurs had a brain the size of a walnut but they ruled the earth for six million years.

We need to learn to give and accept those affirming statements. Have the class break into pairs and ask one of the partners to say what they like most about the other person. The recipient of the compliment cannot speak except to say "thank you." After two minutes have them switch roles and do the exercise again. How did it feel to receive compliments without saying anything except for thank you? Why do you think you felt that way? How did it feel to compliment the other? How could we make sure we do that more often? (Note: If you want to tie in Luther's Small Catechism, look at Luther's explanation of the eighth commandment--particularly his suggestion that we put the best construction on the behavior of our neighbors).

• Both Kevin and Max have had difficult lives. Kevin teaches Max to look to the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table for courage and what it means to live honorably. Kevin constantly reminds Max that "a knight proves his worthiness through his deeds." In other words, what is on the inside--things such as values, care for others, respect for life and people--guides our actions. As Christians, we believe that because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross, because we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, we move out in faith to serve God and the world. How does our faith show itself in action?
• When Max has to live without Kevin, he believes he can't go on. He stays in his room and stays by himself. But then one day as he continues to work through his grief, Max realizes that he is not the same person. Kevin touched his life in such a way that things will never be the same. Max writes his book "Freak The Mighty" and, taking inspiration from King Arthur, Max is now a bolder person, more courageous. In fact, Max finally becomes free from his past and claims his identity and voice. (If your group wants to spend more time discussing grief and what happens between Kevin and Max, don't discourage them. Watch for people within the group who may be grieving.)

Scripture is filled with stories of people who have had to escape a bad past and have done so with the grace, forgiveness and power of God. One such person was St. Paul. Paul was a persecutor of the church, who by the grace of God, became the greatest evangelist of the Gospel. (Read Paul's story in Acts 9:1-21.) We all have things in our past that are not honorable, but by the grace of God, the forgiveness of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, God helps us create new futures.

• Kevin's mom was a strong and vocal advocate that Kevin, despite being physically challenged, should be able to experience all of what his school years had to offer. Ms. Dillon would not allow others to label Kevin or box him in. What adults do you know who are like Ms. Dillon--people who encourage young people to experience the fullness of life? What about them makes them different than other adults?

The Mighty is an enjoyable movie that will give you much to think about and will make you thankful for friends and family. God's richest blessings to you and your group!

As with anything, feel free to adapt this guide to your own situation. Enjoy the film, enjoy the discussion and enjoy one another. And remember, the first word and the last word is always, “God Loves You.”

Permission to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2005 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. ELCA Youth Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses, e-mail:  rod.boriack@elca.org.