The Castle

When I first came to Australia, one movie widely recommended for me to watch and be thrown into the deep end of Australian culture and humour was The Castle.  It was hailed as a fine representation of the relatable Aussie battler who was willing to take a stand for his principles and a house that had become his happy home beyond price.  Rather than submitting to a compulsory acquisition of his property to extend the airport, Darryl Kerrigan was able to prevail in pleading his case in the high court--with the expert aid of an unexpected ally.

An interesting aspect of the film was the misplaced faith Darryl had in a local lawyer named Dennis Denuto who struggled to make copies in his office!  Dennis was more knowledgeable in matters of Australian law and the Constitution than Darryl, but his incompetence and ignorance was laid bare by his abject failure in court.  Darryl's case would never had been heard by the High Court without the aid of a retired Queen's Counsel and barrister, Lawrence Hammill.  When all hope seemed lost and Darryl was resigned to failure, Lawrence offered to bring his case for free to the High Court and successfully argued Darryl had the right to just terms of compensation under the Australian Constitution.

What is particularly heart-warming is Lawrence did not take the case to advance his career, as penance in hope of atoning for past wrongs, or out of spite for the system.  He was a man of wealth and high-standing who showed compassion on a regular fellow--not only to help him in his area of legal expertise--but was glad to be a mate to Darryl from the moment they happened to meet the first time outside the courthouse.  When they met two worlds collided, and they both were enriched by the friendship that followed.

One could compare Darryl's victory in court to a David and Goliath mismatch, but the important thing to realise is Darryl could never have won without Lawrence, and David could never have defeated Goliath without God.  The fact Darryl and Lawrence continued in a relationship is a wonderful part of the story as it hints at God's divine stoop to our level--not just to help us in a time of need--but to join with us forever in a friendship that is closer than family on earth.  How great is the LORD who has gone out of His way to reveal Himself to us, a friend who sticks closer than a brother, our God who came to us and saved us when we were lost, hopeless and helpless.  Doesn't it warm the heart to know we can be a friend of Jesus?  He gives us something much more precious than a castle, for He gives us Himself forever.