So I saw "The Passion" today and will give it a review. First, let me tell you something about myself. I'm a atheist who was raised in a Buddhist background, yet I know a lot about the Bible and many other religions. I'm also an aspiring film maker so I see the film from that angle too.
The film is very good, 3 out of 4 stars. But I saw it with my girlfriend who is Catholic, went to Catholic schools for all her life, and she thought the film was GREAT, she cried through it.
If you are Christian or know the story of the last hours of Jesus. Though there are many differing interpretation of this story, Mel Gibson chooses the most violent one. I remeber a lot of the Gospel teachings that I have learned, but I don't quite remeber it being that harsh. Gibson does add a touch of Hollywood overdramatization here and there in the film, but overall, it stays true to the accounts of his disciples, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
I do not see this film as being anti-semetic. Although the Jewish high priests are portrayed more arrogant and more foolish at times then I remember in my Bible readings, but that's part of Gibson's interpretation.
If you are not Christian or familiar with the Crucifixion, the film might be difficult, that's one of the faults of this movie. There are several flashbacks to events in Jesus's life, yet a knowledge of the Bible enhances these scenes, but some might be alienated due to lack of knowledge. Without prior knowledge, this movie might be just a harsh, blood ridden struggle of Jesus Christ, because Gibson fails to give enough background or foundation to the sacrifice that Jesus gave. Again, the violence can be overwhelming, and I think Gibson could of cut some of it off, to deal with more of the internal struggles and background.
Character interactions is very minimal, there is only one good developement of human relations in this film. This is the relation between Jesus and the Virgin Mary, which is well done. We do not get much more about him with his disciples, just tidbits, and there is not much about Jesus and the common people, its scarce. I felt that the movie doesn't really bring out the teachings of Jesus Christ. There are some scenes that try to to it, but its not enough. The movie is more about the sacrifice then about the teachings.
Technically, the film is good. The editing was a bit much, I thought it was over-edited. I felt some scenes would have been more powerful if the editor just let the camera be and let a scene unfold in front of you, uncut. But I guess they wanted to intermix close-ups, slow motion, and different angles in, to their credit it works for aome scenes. The cinematography was good, but not great. I have never been a big fan of the cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel. Its kind of plain, not much texture. Gibson does a good job in putting everything together, kudos to his production designer.
With everything said and done, I recommend it to people, especially if you are Christian. But even an atheist like me enjoyed it, but I do have a good knowledge of the Gospel. If you have no clue about the Gospel, go out and do a bit of homework before watching this movie, it helps.
choner
