On Friday the 30th, I was invited to ICON productions to a private screening of The Passion of the Christ. I find myself having trouble coming up with words to describe this movie. It was by far one of the single most moving things I've ever seen. Mel Gibson has done a fabulous job creating this film. I'll start with the cast.
The casting for this movie, I feel, was perfect. James Caviezel did a superb job as Jesus. I felt as if he truly was being scourged at the pillar (actually, in one scene, he does acidentally get whipped for real). Maia Morgenstern had one of the toughest roles in playing Mary. She conveyed a sense of love, compassion, and strength that melts the heart of the audience. Rosalinda Celentano's job as Satan was verrrry eerie. She didn't come across as a person that I would exactly like to meet. What impressed me so greatly, however, was the authenticity of their emotion. They were required to communicate their feelings through facial expressions and body language since the movie is based in Latin and Aramaic (more on that in a little bit). For being dead languages, everyone convincingly used tone of voice, loundess, etc. to convey their emotion.
One of the key facets to this movie's success is the use of Latin and Aramaic. Many people thought it would hinder the movie, but it does just the opposite. The use of foreign languages forces the audience to rely on the imagination and body language to interpret what is being communicated. The movie will contain subtitles for the important dialogue. Some, not all, dialogue is subtitled. Mel Gibson felt that many key ideas and themes would be lost in the language if they weren't translated for the audience. It gives a much deeper meaning to much of what is shown on screen.
The depections of the scourging and the crucifixion are by far the most moving and graphic parts of the entire movie. I won't go in to much detail, but it is incredibly real and life-like. It is these parts that gives the movie its R rating. It is graphic enough to warrent thought of parents to decide whether or not small children should see this film.
Many people argue that it is an anti-Semetic film, but I have found that it is false accusation. There is nothing in the film that makes the entire Jewish people seem guilty for Jesus' death. Mel made it a very specific point to show that Caiphus and few others singly conspired to have Jesus crucified. Saying that this movie is anti-Semetic is like saying Schindler's List makes all Germans guilty for the Holocaust.
I'll leave off saying that all of these things combined make for an extremely moving experience. I saw it with an all male group (ranging from juniors in high school to seniors in college), and there wasn't a dry eye in the group when this movie was finished. Though some scenes can be tough to watch, it gives us an idea just how horrible crucifixion was as a form of capital punishment.
I highly recommend that everyone see this movie. For religious reasons, it can give you an understanding of Jesus' personal sacrifice. Religious ideas aside, it makes for a great way to see just how terrible crucifixion was as a form of capital punishment. Also, the combination of dead languages and terrific acting make it an unforgettable experience.
The casting for this movie, I feel, was perfect. James Caviezel did a superb job as Jesus. I felt as if he truly was being scourged at the pillar (actually, in one scene, he does acidentally get whipped for real). Maia Morgenstern had one of the toughest roles in playing Mary. She conveyed a sense of love, compassion, and strength that melts the heart of the audience. Rosalinda Celentano's job as Satan was verrrry eerie. She didn't come across as a person that I would exactly like to meet. What impressed me so greatly, however, was the authenticity of their emotion. They were required to communicate their feelings through facial expressions and body language since the movie is based in Latin and Aramaic (more on that in a little bit). For being dead languages, everyone convincingly used tone of voice, loundess, etc. to convey their emotion.
One of the key facets to this movie's success is the use of Latin and Aramaic. Many people thought it would hinder the movie, but it does just the opposite. The use of foreign languages forces the audience to rely on the imagination and body language to interpret what is being communicated. The movie will contain subtitles for the important dialogue. Some, not all, dialogue is subtitled. Mel Gibson felt that many key ideas and themes would be lost in the language if they weren't translated for the audience. It gives a much deeper meaning to much of what is shown on screen.
The depections of the scourging and the crucifixion are by far the most moving and graphic parts of the entire movie. I won't go in to much detail, but it is incredibly real and life-like. It is these parts that gives the movie its R rating. It is graphic enough to warrent thought of parents to decide whether or not small children should see this film.
Many people argue that it is an anti-Semetic film, but I have found that it is false accusation. There is nothing in the film that makes the entire Jewish people seem guilty for Jesus' death. Mel made it a very specific point to show that Caiphus and few others singly conspired to have Jesus crucified. Saying that this movie is anti-Semetic is like saying Schindler's List makes all Germans guilty for the Holocaust.
I'll leave off saying that all of these things combined make for an extremely moving experience. I saw it with an all male group (ranging from juniors in high school to seniors in college), and there wasn't a dry eye in the group when this movie was finished. Though some scenes can be tough to watch, it gives us an idea just how horrible crucifixion was as a form of capital punishment.
I highly recommend that everyone see this movie. For religious reasons, it can give you an understanding of Jesus' personal sacrifice. Religious ideas aside, it makes for a great way to see just how terrible crucifixion was as a form of capital punishment. Also, the combination of dead languages and terrific acting make it an unforgettable experience.
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