SNMR 1.5: "The Passion of the Christ"

With tomorrow being Easter, I thought it appropriate to choose for tonight's SNMR feature, "The Passion of the Christ" (2004, R, 126 minutes) starring James Caviezel, Maia Morgenstern, Monica Bellucci, Hristo Shopov and Mattia Sbragia. The film was directed by Mel Gibson.

I originally saw this film in the theater when it was first released (on Ash Wednesday, 2004), in part becasue I am a Christian and also in part becasue of all of the hype surrounding its release. I also knew that when it came out on DVD that it would be worth owning, but I resisted buying it until late last year.

The film was nominated for three Academy Awards but did not win any. It did win other awards, however. See http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335345/awards for the full breakdown. This is the highest-grossing rated R film in US box office history earning $370 million. In a rarity for Hollywood releases, re-entered the #1 spot at the box office for the weekend of Good Friday, 2004.

From the DVD's dust jacket:

"From Academy Award winning director Mel Gibson comes a profound story of courage and sacrifice depicting the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus Christ. Featuring stunning cinematography and an inspired performance by Jim Caviezel, The Passion of the Christ is a triumphant and uncompromising filmmaking achievement."

From Martin and Porter's DVD & Video Guide 2006, p. 862:

"Director Mel Gibson's stunning dramatization of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus stirred up a prerelease controversy for its alleged anti-Semitic portrayal of the Sanhedrin and high priest Caiaphas. Those fears proved groundless, although the graphic scenes of Jesus' scourging make the film unsuitable for the squeamish or immature. For others, its a powerful, deeply moving work of religious art. In Latin, Hebrew and Aramaic with English subtitles. Rated R for violent images."

This is a very powerful film, whether you are a Christian or not, depicting the most important and pivotal event in history. Most everyone knows the story, which is why you can begin it without any plot build-up. Even though the film is spoken in three foreign languages (with English subtitles) that didn't bother me either time I've watched it. That's how familiar this story is. Frankly, the one thing I liked best about it was the gore and violence that accurately portrayed the beating Jesus took even before being nailed to the cross. I think today we have such a sanitized view of what crucifixion was all about that we lose sight of just how horrible of a way this is to die, arguably the cruelest possible way. How humiliating it was. How painful it was. I'll give this film five out of five stars.