The Passion of the Christ

Posted by David | Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Film Reviews

It’s hard to say when last Hollywood was rocked with so much controversy as we’re seeing with Mel Gibson’s violent portrayal of the Gospels. Very likely it hasn’t been since Martin Scorsese’s own interpretation of the same story, The Last Temptation of Christ.

I tend to like controversial films, if for nothing else than actually forcing their viewers to think. I loved The Passion however, which shouldn’t be too surprising to most of you.

Unfortunately most people will form their own opinion long before the opening credits (or lack thereof) and, for better or worse, I don’t think that the film will change any of their preconceptions. With that in mind, my only advice is to go in with a mind free of any bias, and just experience the film before judging it. I say experience because it certainly won’t entertain.

Permalink | February 27th, 2004

3 Responses to “The Passion of the Christ”

  1. SonsMelody Says:
    March 1st, 2004 at 10:48 am

    I saw the film with several friends yesterday afternoon and have to say I left feeling more loved and more at peace then I have in a long time… maybe even ever…. God also used it to confirm the series I feel He has led me to speak on at our youth group…. I think the most important thing that people who don’t understand it all miss is the Love. This story isn’t about violence…. It isn’t about a poor, misunderstood man being unjustly killed…. It’s about God coming down in the form of man with all the power of the unvierse submitting to the limitations of the body and choosing to die this most horrendous death so we wouldn’t have to. It’s because He loved us that much! The cross and the empty grave signify Love, Everlasting life, and the powerlessness of death and sin. May the eyes of the blind be openned, the ears of the deaf be unstuffed and may understanding be given to all…. It’s a matter of eternal life or eternal seperation from the very source of all the we need… eternal seperation from Love Himself.

  2. a reader Says:
    March 3rd, 2004 at 11:46 am

    First of all, I thought that Passion was very powerful. And I did like the fact that he took artistic liberties. Most people are complaining that he added parts that are not in the Bible, but I think he read the scriptures and portrayed the scene that he saw after reading the text. I also loved the Satan part. My favorite part however, was when Jesus was making the table.
    All that being said, I do have a couple of questions. In Passion, Gibson had Mary Magdalene as the same person as the woman that was going to be stoned. Please show me a verse in the Bible that links this woman to Mary Magdalene. I honestly would like to know if she is the same woman. I never thought that she was. Secondly, (all these Marys get confusing), is Mary as in Mary and Martha the same as Mary Magdalene. And what about the Mary that pours the perfume on Jesus’ feet and head and wipes them with her tears. Her name is Mary as well (in one of the Gospels) And, Gibson had Mary the mother of Jesus as being the same person as Mary the mother of James. Is Mary mother of Jesus the same as Mary mother of James and John? And that is confusing if not because Jesus had a brother named James. See I am thinking that Mary, James, and John have been on the most popular name list a little too long and have made for some confusing stories.

  3. David Says:
    March 3rd, 2004 at 3:07 pm

    Yeah, the name “Mary” was a little too popular back then. Scholars and denominations differ on who exactly was who; since Mel Gibson is Catholic, he went on the assumption that Mary Magdaline was the prostitute about to be stoned. I haven’t researched it to see if there really is a scriptural basis (which does sound familiar in the back of my mind).

    But you’re right: the film is very powerful regardless. And the whole Jesus-as-carpenter was my favorite scene too.