Hollwood Reporter reviews Gibson's "Passion"

[villager]

The Passion of Christ

Reviewed By Kirk Honeycutt



Bottom line: This graphic depiction of the crucifixion of Christ misses any spiritual meaning to this seismic event.

Opens
Wednesday, Feb. 25

"The Passion of the Christ" is the work of a Christian traditonalist. In depicting the last dozen hours in the earthly life of Jesus of Nazareth, Mel Gibson, who directs a script he wrote with Benedict FItzgerald, takes the gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as literal truth. There is no allowance for metaphor or myth, no hint of contemporary interpretation. This is not "The Last Temptation of Christ," Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis' novel that speculates on the torments and self-doubts of Jesus. This movie is an act of faith.

And that is a two-edged sword. People will see what they want to see in a movie shorn of any point of view not in literal accord with the gospels. True believers will bear witness to holy writ. Others -- nonbelievers or even less literal-minded Christians -- will be troubled by the film's staunch adherence to a story line and characters that have been used by bigots to fuel hatred for centuries.

As the film arrives swathed in controversy over its near-pornographic violence and concerns about its potential to incite anti-Semitism, the opening weekend's boxoffice should surpass its reported $25 million cost. That combination of controversy, curiosity and conviction could continue the movie's good fortune for weeks to come.

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http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000441264

[Fenris]

1. As someone who loved "Last Temptation" as a novel and hated the movie

I'd like to say that as someone who loves the Gospels, I'm going to take a guess and say that the Passion will probably be as disappointing. Although I could be wrong. Still going to see it though.

[regnaD kciN]

4. Me, too...!

Scorcese and Schrader just ruined that novel.

[ArwenJade]

2. I don't think I'll see it.

I'm more into the life of Christ than the death of Christ.

Plus, Mel Gibson seems nice, but as a fellow Catholic I find him embarrassing.

[incontrovertible]

3. strange review

finds no real fault with the movie other than the fact that it is exactly what its title states: A Passion Play. The author's implication that "The Last Temptation of Christ" was the superior work is also telling.

The tomatometer rating will be the best yardstick. From what I've read, and heard from people who've seen the film, I predict a rating of 90 by week's end.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ThePassionoftheChrist-1129941/reviews.php

[villager]

5. "Passion Play" indeed...

...since those were also used to whip up anti-Semitic fervor around Easter time!