In the end… it will be just a theory

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I was watching M. Night Shyamalan’s newest film last night, The Happening. Although people probably won’t like it as much as his past films (Signs, The Sixth Sense, The Village, Lady in the Water)… it still was worth the rent (my movie review of it here).

A great discussion starter from this film jumped out at me that I missed the first time I watched this movie in the theatre. I can’t believe I missed it the first time. We’ll be definitely writing this one up with small group questions, etc. very soon.

Here’s the dialogue: 

The Happening

20^th Century Fox Home 

Start scene at Ch. 4; at 6 minutes and 43 seconds…

The Scene opens with high school teacher, Elliot Moore, leading his science class in a discussion about the disappearance of honey bees all over the United States.

Key Dialogue:

(after Mr. Moore asks several of his students about their theories, he turns his attention toward Jake, a good looking student)

Mr. Moore:  Jake?

Jake:  (doesn’t say a word, just stares blankly at Mr. Moore)

Mr. Moore:  You don’t have an opinion?

(Jake shrugs like he doesn’t care.)

Mr. Moore:  You’re not interested in what happened to the bees?

Jake:  (shakes his head no)

Mr. Moore:  You should be more interested in science Jake.  You know why?  Because your face is perfect.  But the problem is, your face is perfect at 15.  Now if you were interested in science you would know facts like the human nose and ears grow a fraction of an inch each year.  So a perfect balance of features might not look so perfect five years from now.  If might look downright wack ten years from now.

Jake:  (looking distressed)

Mr. Moore:  Come on Buddy.  Take an interest in science.  What could be a reason the bees have vanished?

Jake:  (pausing for a moment in thought) An act of nature and we’ll never fully understand it.

Mr. Moore:  Nice answer Jake!  He’s right.  Science will come up with some reason to put in the books, but in the end it will be just a theory.  But we will fail to acknowledge that these are forces at work beyond our understanding.  To be a good scientist you must have a respectful awe for the laws of nature.

Jake:  (still thinking about his nose) How much does the human nose grow each year?

Mr. Moore: It’s miniscule, O.K. Buddy.  Don’t worry about it.  You’re gonna be a heartthrob your whole life.  I was just messing with you.

Jake:  (smiles and points at the teacher)

 End Scene at Chapter 4, 8 minutes and 59 seconds

Here’s the line that jumped out at me:

Science will come up with some reason to put in the books, but in the end it will be just a theory.  But we will fail to acknowledge that these are forces at work beyond our understanding.