Finally went to see Despicable Me today. No, it was not available in 3-D at the 2nd run (down) theater I gave my $1.50 to. I had forgotten that the movie included adoption as a plot line.
Gru, voiced by a heavily accented Steve Carell, is a criminal whose reach exceeds his grasp. He wants to be the worst, most famous criminal. He lives with memories of his mother (voiced by Julie Andrews) treating him like a total loser his whole life. He wants to be somebody, even if it is a criminal.
The movie starts with the newest, latest theft which has shocked the world. A pyramid has been stolen from Egypt. Kind of hard to stick that in your back pocket or down your shirt. Doesn’t really fit on a plane or boat home. But Gru didn’t do it, and it is eating at him.
He decides to fulfill his life-long dream to fly to the moon- to shrink it and steal it. That would be the most famous theft- ever! Only his new nemesis, Vector (“Victor is my geek name”) has the same goal, and always seems to get the best of him.
When the 3 orphan girls selling cookies get into Vector’s lair, Gru has an idea (“lightbulb!”). He adopts the 3 girls so he can gain access to his lair and the ray gun he needs to shrink the moon- and steal it. Since he is bald, there is a joke there about Annie and Daddy Warbucks (another adoption movie I erased from my memory since it is a musical).
Gru’s despicable self is done in by his own plan. He begins to experience love. Adoption changes him forever. He’s no longer despicable. The kids teach him to love, and also to enjoy life. He ends up forsaking his great desire for a new, greater desire.
It was not as funny as I thought it would be. But it was “sweeter”. It was surprisingly clean (which I can’t say for the trailer for Gnomeo & Juliet which was filled with innuendo). I can show this to my kids without worry. I was reminded that sometimes God works against various means and our intentions. What Gru planned for evil, God intended for good.
As adoptive parents we have a variety of motives when we adopt. But those often fall by the wayside. We can sometime be despicable as well, sinning against our children. But a little love goes along way- in both directions.
Being an adoptive dad is lots of fun. And it is very humbling (especially when I have to apologize to the wild child). Not only was his life changed, but our lives were changed too. And for the better.
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