Aperture is a delightful movie with both a mystery to solve and a spiritual journey to share. The definition for the word aperture—a hole or an opening through which light travels—is appropriate for this film. Seventeen-year-old Alex doesn’t want to attend church with his mother, who is separated from his father and has moved him and his younger sister Jessica to a smaller house in a not-so-great neighborhood. Alex believes the people at church are “self-righteous” and that God is telling the jokes to which “we’re the punchlines.” Yet the aperture in his life—the opening or gap—can be filled with light if he only turns to God. Enter Christina, the neighbor’s granddaughter, a Christian who Alex takes a liking to. Is she the one who can convince Alex to allow God’s light into his heart? She shares a gospel tract with him that she had given to her friend who died in a car accident. Christina had sealed it so she would know when her friend had opened it, but she found it unopened. Will Alex be the one to finally open it?
The movie features convincing scenes of common teen behavior and interactions, including the scene when Alex’s mother is correcting him, and he tells her, “You should use truth and not power,” a typical response of a teen who believes Mom or Dad is on a power trip.
The movie focuses on a mystery that needs to be solved—and on things that go bump in the night. Through it all, Alex is confronted with a decision. Does he blame God for his parents’ situation and his unhappiness, or does he open up the aperture to allow the light to fill the gap?
Finding forgiveness, protecting those you love, and trusting in God during life’s difficult moments are themes that course through this movie, which features humorous interaction between the older brother and younger sister, Jessica, who is funny and fun to watch. Due to the mild content, which includes a son upset with his mom’s separation from his father and his bitterness toward God, which is ultimately resolved, the movie merits our Dove-Approved Seal for Ages 12+.
The Dove Take
This is a film which reveals the hurt and ugly sides of human nature, but also beautifully shows what the power of redemption can do.
