Catholic Room

Superb, Albeit Quite Violent Portrayal Of Jesus' Passion, February 25, 2004

By	Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews

Indeed, I found myself almost speechless after viewing the film, and was not quite sure to what extent it was a result of the power of the film's message as opposed to the graphically violent context in which the tale is told. Herein lies the single criticism one can level against the film, which despite many worries from bystanders that it was laced with virulent anti-Semitism, seems to clearly blame all sinners (ergo, all of us) for the sacrifice of God's son on the cross. Yet Mel Gibson's sure hand is both able and accurate, and the violence shows how carnal man greets the divine, and how we react to the message of hope and salvation; through unspeakable cruelty and gratuitous violence. So, while this is indeed a very violent movie, the murderous acts depicted quite graphically have to be taken in the context of the supernatural events transpiring, as a kind of carnal counterpoint to the ethereal repose with which Jesus bears all of the acts visited upon him. At one point He tells Mary (After he has stumbled under the burden of the cross) "Behold, mother, I make all thing anew!" This was, for me at least, a quite stunning reminder of the godly forces at work amidst all the violence and carnage.

This is a very personal interpretation of the final twelve hours of Christ's life on earth leading to His crucifixition. From the moment it opens in the solitude of the Garden at Gethsemane, one is immediately aware of the battle ongoing between good and evil, as the devil (cleverly presented as a stunning if malevolent woman with a masculine voice) attempts to dissuade Jesus from attempting what he about to undertake. From this it is obvious He is doing this for all mankind, Jews and Gentiles alike, and that we are all to blame, through our unremitting addiction to carnality and sinfulness, for the evil manifested in the world. This is a fantastic film, one that is definitely not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach, and definitely not something I would suggest subjecting a child to. Still, it is a remarkable work, and one that deserves the very wide distribution it is about to encounter.

 Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

THE GREATEST MOTION PICTURE EVER MADE, February 7, 2004

Certainly the graphic scourging of Jesus Christ, one of the most painful and truly agonizing sequences in film history, has much to do with it. The brutality of the Romans, who were masters of the art of torture, is depicted so realistically (and quite probably toned down in the film) that watching it was overwhelming. This is isn't meant to be a spoiler: just put on your seatbelts when you go see this movie. And you really should see it if you have a passion for the cinema. It's an astonishing piece of work, and the acting is flawless.

It has one weak scene that should simply be edited out: a brief flashback to establish that Jesus is a carpenter, in which he has just finished building a "modern" table, and his mother Mary says that the idea or concept will never catch on. That scene is a piece of creative license that I wouldn't have taken, although it's not entirely unforgivable. It's the film's only light moment. From there on, get ready for the most harrowing visual experience in human suffering that has ever been brought to the screen.

[...] Returning to the film, I found the violence extremely disturbing, but not the sort of violence that would breed or encourage violence. Let me explain: the violence in this film cannot be compared to the violence in movies like XXX, for example, which is purely for entertainment purposes in that type of pop-corn flick. The violence in The Passion is not intended to entertain. I cannot conceive a child or an adolescent wanting to immitate the violence in this film, as supposedly has been the case in connection with other TV shows and movies in the past. The depiction of violence here shows the extremes of man's inhumanity to man.

This motion picture is a difficult, painful, incredibly disturbing an enlightening experience. It took me at least a few hours to come down from its effect. Yes, it will deeply affect you, especially if you are a Christian as I am. Yet, I cannot classify it as a religious movie. It's the story of a man who preached perfect love, forgiveness, and peace, and who fell victim to envy and, consequently, was killed for no other crime than "love thy neighbor". That is the human aspect of the movie.

There is also the spiritual: the constant emotional and psychological flogging of the devil, played by a brilliant actress whose name escapes me; the reason why Jesus, called Yeshua, allowed himself to be captured, tortured and crucified
when, as the Son of God, he had the power to prevent what he willingly did--to sacrifice his life for the redemption of mankind; and how he stripped the devil of all power by his death on the cross and resurrection. There is much, much more, but each viewer, based on her or his beliefs, will interpret the spiritual impact of the film upon them in their own way.

For students of film, this is a must. No movie is as powerful as this one. Period. It is a perfect example of the "power" of the seventh art, which is the cinema.

If there is a must-see movie thus far this millennium, it is this masterpiece! Parents should take heed to the R rating!!! It's visually too overwhelming for small children. But for mature adults, highly recommended! But do fasten your seatbelts, as I said. It is one astonishing ride!

 Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)