Nineteen years ago, while watching The Great Debaters, a super, historic movie released on Christmas day, 2007, I was truly impressed by all the actors teeth. The teeth in everyone’s mouth were straight and sparkling white.

Even now, I am amazed that regardless of character, economic standing, or cultural placement, all actors appear with blazingly perfect teeth! The character could literally live in a gutter, spring from an indigenous base, or exist before tooth brushes and paste were invented. It doesn’t matter! The teeth that flash before us on the screen are perfect.

Obviously, as one who values authenticity, I object to this detail being overlooked by movie makers who strive to make realistic films.

Of course, the actors want to look their picture-perfect best in every way at all times. Of course, they regularly whiten their teeth.

But when depicting a character whose back story does not include modern dental standards, their teeth should show it.

Make-up artists can whiten teeth in the short term for the filming of a scene or two. Can they not do the opposite to make the actor’s appearance true to the character being portrayed?

I believe that by disregarding this detail, our modern culture of bias builds an outward appearance that is necessary to conceal a less pleasant, creditable reality, regardless of historic, economic, or cultural context.

I tire of the facade. Don’t you?

But I am sincerely grateful that in Jesus I find refreshing truth that addresses reality regardless of context. Have you found that, too?