Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

I am aware that much has been written about Mel Gibson's "The Passion Of The Christ", some of it critical. But don't let that stop you in investigating this amazing movie. After all the bad press in America I have to confess I was a little apprehensive going to see the Leicester Square preview. Mel Gibson has fulfilled his desire to create a movie which manages to encapsulate the last days of Christ's life. From the inner turmoil in the Garden Of Gethsemene where Jesus gains enough strength to do His Father's will through to the pain of the cross, Gibson stresses that no one took away the life of Christ, instead He willingly gave it up. Gibson himself has said, "My intention for this film was to create a lasting work of art and to stimulate serious thought and reflection among diverse audiences of all backgrounds. My ultimate hope is that this story's message of tremendous courage and sacrifice might inspire tolerance, love and forgiveness. Certainly it's a powerful message and faithful to the gospel accounts. After watching it, The Pope is reported to have said "It is as it was". Having the actors speak in the original Aramaic and Latin languages of the time with English subtitles is a bold step though it protects the movie from being too stilted and wooden when it comes to the dialogue, one criticism I have of the 'Jesus' film. There are some terrific performances, especially from Jim Caviezel who portrays Jesus who speaks few words but powerfully communicates his inner turmoil as he journeys to his death. I feel a little sorry for Pilate, caught between a rock and a hard place whilst judging Jesus and Bulgarian actor Hristo Naumov Shopov. The character of Simon who helps carry Jesus' cross is also a powerful portrayal, sending a sympathetic man into the middle of the maelstrom surrounding Jesus' journey to his crucifixion. Amongst the inhumanity, there is a great contrast with Simon's compassion for Christ. It is interesting that the character of Satan is played by a woman with the portrayal always played in slow motion and the character given an other worldly androgynous appearance to emphasise that he is spiritual rather than physical. There is a visual contrast between Satan and Jesus' mother Mary. Both are hooded and in their attitude to Christ at different ends of the spectrum. Mary's compassion for Christ is shown throughout as she follows her son's torment and Maia Morgenstern's portrayal is packed with vivid emotion. The skilful cinematography frequently juxtaposes images of light and darkness as if to relfect the spiritual battle happening at the centre of the story. The images are further enhanced by the excellent soundtrack composed by John Debney and released through Integrity Music that only heightens the drama and underscores the intensity of the movie. One criticism that might be levelled at the director is the obvious high profile of Mary in the narrative. The other disciples are bit players as Peter denies Christ and flees the scene, Judas betrays Christ and in a haunting sequence is tormented into suicide and John stays with the two Marys but barely utters a word in the entire film. Perhaps he struggled to learn Aramaic! Obviously springing from Gibson's catholic convictions we oughtn't to be too surprised to find Mother Mary so prominent. I always imagined Christ addressing his mother and John as part of a larger crowd but Gibson gives them some final moments at the foot of the cross before he dies and the soldier spears his side. The eruption of nature in response to Christ's death is nicely done too. Gibson has drawn together different elements from the different gospel accounts to fine effect. Although there are some elements included in the narrative that are not biblical, these are mainly included for symbolic reasons - a crow pecks out the eyes of one of the thieves on the cross when he rejects Jesus. The two Marys clean up the blood from the floor after Christ is flogged by the Romans. It's not really enough to distract from the truth of the story. The main complaint levelled at the film is that the Jews are blamed for the murder of Christ however Gibson has removed the most controversial line concerning this from the final cut of the movie. It's true that the Jewish leaders are portrayed in a very flat manner and because there is no back story, someone coming to the film would be perplexed to understand why they hate Jesus so much. However the film is hardly going to provoke racial rioting in the street and after all, it'' simply describing what happened. Many critics have approached the film by examining Gibson's motivation for making it. They have observed that he belongs to an ultra conservative wing of the Catholic church and written about him with undisguised scorn attempting to weaken his image by portraying him as some religious nutter rather than an actor who has become disillusioned with Hollywood and sought solace in his faith. The other main complaint about the movie is that it is unnecessarily violent. Mainstream critics have been falling over themselves to object to the blood and violence in the movie. It is true that there are terrible scenes of Christ's flogging which made me shudder as every sickening blow hit his flesh. And then there is the crucifixion itself as you see and almost feel the nails going into his hands as bones are impaled. All horrible but all terribly necessary as it only served to remind me of the pain that my Jesus went through to save me from my sins. This is not a film to take your children to see! But it does bring alive the realities of the gospel narratives that we so frequently downplay in our minds. When it comes to critics' objections to the blood and violence, I'm sorry but isn't this gross hypocrisy? In an era when the most critically applauded Hollywood movies have featured rape, multiple murders, lurid sex scenes and cannibalism, you would have thought the flagellation and crucifixion of Christ would be tame by comparison. Yet the movie is gaining such a volatile response that it makes me think that it's ok to show any kind of violence you like or spill whatever blood you like in Hollywood so long as that blood isn't shed for your sins.  

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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