The Passion
Of The Christ
The Plot:
This film tells the story of the last 12 hours in the life
of Jesus (Caviezel), on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem. This film's
script is based upon several sources, including the diaries of St. Anne Catherine
Emmerich (1774-1824) as collected in the book, "The Dolorous Passion
of Our Lord Jesus Christ", "The Mystical City of God" by St.
Mary of Agreda, and the New Testament books of John, Luke, Mark and Matthew.
(From Yahoo Movies)
My Thoughts: (Reviewed by Azrael)
Jesus Christ, no single man has ever created as much controversy, never! – except maybe Mel Gibson and this movie. With the plot needing no explination, I’ll cut right to the chase. The movie starts in the Garden of Gethsemane, with Jesus reflecting on what is about to happen. I do not know who plays the devil in this movie, but he (actually played by a girl) was the most eerily cool character in the movie. Let me describe how he looks, pale white, no hair (eyelashes, eyebrows, etc.) – basically Gollum as a human.
A down draw to this movie is that to capture the feel of it, it is entirely in Jesus’ vernacular: Latin and Hebrew. And since everyone with a life cannot understand fluent Latin or Hebrew (except Jews) this means subtitles. Subtitles are one of the most annoying things in a movie, unless I like the movie.
The Passion is nothing new, just a retelling of the gospel of Luke, is it? Not sure. The only literary license in this movie is demon children chasing Judas before he hangs himself, which I believe represents his guilt for his betrayal.
So if all you have to do is read the Bible, why would Mel Gibson make this movie? I’ll tell you why: to utterly disturb anybody even remotely associated to the Christian faith. Now that is my stance, other deranged people may think that it helps to understand Jesus’ sacrifice, but no. This movie is R? If I were on the MPAA, I would give this an NC-17, easy. When Jesus is scourged, that is the worst, whips with hooks that tear out his flesh, with the camera offering no relief from the gruesome images. Afterwards Jesus looks like a fucking filet of fish. Then the crown of thorns, which they force on his head with broom sticks. Then the random beatings while he’s walking. Then the nailing, which I was relieved they didn’t show the nailing of the feet, but the hands, displayed in all their bone splintering-blood spurting glory.
Religious enlightening? No. Mental disturbance of the deepest kind? Yes. Now I am aware that the Passion depicts everything as it happened, and I have to give credit to Mel for such a risky venture, and it paid off, all $600 million+ of it. But the question to ask yourself before buying a ticket to see this movie, or buy the sure-to-be-record-breaking DVD: is my mental stability really worth $8.50? …My response: Jesus fucking Christ, no.
Starring:
James Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Rosalinda Celentano, Sergio Rubini, Mattia
Sbragia
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Rated R