“To err is human, to forgive divine,” and that is the focus of “Mysterious Ways.” Marilyn (Wendy Raquel Robinson) is not the same person she used to be, not since the day her boy Cody died at the hand of a hit-and-run driver. Marilyn is the choir director at church; she is short with people and not open to new ideas. She has a certain song in mind for the arrival of the new pastor Jamison Brown, and she refuses to consider a young man’s suggestion for a different song. She is obviously bitter and her old friend Irma, wonderfully played by Telma Hopkins, is the only one who can reel her back in to being just a little tolerable.

Marilyn’s boyfriend, Roland, wants to marry her but she won’t consider it because she is still struggling with bitter feelings about her son’s death. Then Marilyn hits a man who has been drinking and wanders into the street and he is injured, but not seriously. She offers to help him and learns his name is Mozart. Mozart comes to the church and there is something about him that lets the audience know there is more to him than meets the eye. He shares wisdom like, “Easy and life are rarely found in the same sentence.” Mozart has one of the best lines of the movie when, referring to Marilyn hitting him with her car, he says that he is “your humble hood ornament.”

This movie features the powerful theme of forgiveness and moving forward in life. It is not an easy journey for Marilyn, who momentarily lights up a cigarette after quitting for a year, due to the stress and anxiety she feels. Yet the movie offers a satisfying conclusion and a surprise or two along the way. Gary Dourdan is excellent as Mozart, and we learn more about him and how he got his name. We are happy to award this film our “Faith-Friendly” Seal for ages twelve plus. It demonstrates very nicely that, with God’s help, forgiveness is possible.