Atheists Get Hollywood Movie

There aren't too many movies about atheists, an even fewer that portray them in a positive light. Hollywood is changing that today with its release of a movie called _The Ledge_, written by Matthew Chapman. The all-star cast which includes Charlie Hunnam, Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson, Terrence Howard, and Christopher Gorham examines what makes life worth living, especially for those who have no belief in an afterlife.

Chapman, who happens to be a cousin of famed naturalist Charles Darwin, believes that this movie might be a "Brokeback Mountain" for atheists. That is, he hopes that it will help promote consciousness about the small, but growing atheist minority in the US and worldwide, which is often misunderstood and reviled by religious believers. Time will tell if it can match the lurid and forbidden appeal of Brokeback and parlay it an Academy award.

From initial reviews it sounds like it simply may not be compelling enough in its writing or subject matter to really wow people. Psychological thrillers and think pieces can't compete with fluff like _Hangover II_ . However, be that as it may, it may still get people thinking and talking, which is perhaps the most important thing as far as raising consciousness.