Seeing the process right in front of you, however, is a completely different matter. I even know the physical things that happen during a scourging and crucifixion. I've always known that Jesus suffered and died for me. As a Christian, this film is a wake-up call. The film in no way implies that the Jewish nation as a whole is to blame for killing Him. Everyone, whether literally or symbolically, placed Jesus Christ on that cross to die.
But so are some Romans and, most importantly, so are the rest of us. Yes, some Jews are responsible for the death of Jesus. The controversy that has surrounded `Passion' in recent months (consisting mostly of claims that it's anti-Semitic) is unfortunate. There are several brief flashbacks to earlier times in Christ's life to provide a short relief from the violence, but none long enough for the audience to forget what they are watching. Everything between is His brutal suffering and it is relentless. The film is slightly over two hours long, starts with Christ's arrest in the Garden and ends with His resurrection (covered in about 12 seconds). Where other films would cut away, `Passion' zooms in - every punch, every piece of flesh ripped away, every drop of blood, every thorn in His crown and every nail driven into His body is vividly captured on camera. His beatings, scourging and eventual crucifixion at the hands of Roman soldiers is shown in graphic detail. What follows is an unflinching look at the way Christ was killed. After setting aside His own will and seeking His Father's, Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot (one of His disciples) and handed over to Jewish authorities and eventually the Roman government. He is constantly tempted by Satan, who tells Jesus that one man can't possibly die for everyone's sins.
He knows He must die and, despite leading a sinless life, take on the sins of mankind so they can be saved. As He prays, He fights a spiritual battle. `Passion' begins as Jesus agonizes in the Garden of Gethsemane, so troubled by His upcoming duty that His sweat turns to blood. Most films about Jesus begin at His birth, give a kind of Cliff's Notes glance-over of His life, and make crucifixion seem slightly unpleasant - not `Passion.' The film is entirely about the journey to that specific event and shows it's possibly the most horrific method used to kill someone. What emerges is the most realistic depiction of Christ's suffering ever put on screen.
Every prop used, from whips and swords to clothing and wigs, looks stunningly authentic. Every line spoken is in Aramaic or Latin (with English subtitles). Jesus (played brilliantly by James Caviezel, `Frequency') looks Jewish, instead of the blond-haired, blue-eyed man usually seen in the role. Gibson, who directed and co-wrote the screenplay, went to great lengths to make sure his film was Biblically accurate and it shows. It's so visually gripping, so heart-wrenching and so emotionally draining that writing about it simply can't do it justice. Mel Gibson's `The Passion of the Christ,' which depicts the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus, defies the typical `it's good' or `it's bad' mentality of a review.
For the first time in my life, when it comes to discussing a film, I've been rendered nearly speechless.
0 kommentar(er)
