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By
DEBORAH NICOL
What would the world be
without religious focus? It can bring faith to the
huddled masses, peace in times of war, and affect
the political control of nations. In Mel Gibson's
eyes, it is important that the guilt of
Christianity is felt through a literal translation
of the Bible, especially in Jesus Christ's final
hours on Earth.
Horrifically gruesome and bloody, Gibson leaves
nothing to the imagination -- or the stomach.
There is no room for interpretation, simply
visions of flailing flesh and a physical Devil (so
that there is no confusion of what constitutes
good and evil). Flashbacks allude to prior
prophecies that have come to fruition, and only
twice mention Jesus' teachings.
In the muddied waters of guilt and agony are lost
the true messages of Christianity. The hatred that
has brewed out of the ignorance of those who
insist they are religiously and morally superior
to all others is applicable today, but it is
evident that Gibson's true focus is the guilt
passed on from ancestors long dead. Under the
belief that people are eternally marred and
sinful, it is hard to discover their innate
ability to do good and treat others with respect.
Gibson uses his pulpit to preach the fire and
brimstone that eventually burdens his congregation
with grief and frustration.
Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (Gibson's "The
Patriot," "The Right Stuff") brings little to the
visual palette, and John Debney's music holds
familiar chords with Peter Gabriel's "Last
Temptation of Christ" soundtrack (a far more
intriguing and thoughtful film of this subject).
James Caviezel's Jesus is properly pained, and the
Marys (Maia Morgenstern and Monica Bellucci)
portray their anguish with controlled despair.
The DVD has no extras (though one can choose to
remove the subtitles and focus on the Aramaic,
Latin, and Hebrew languages spoken), but after a
visit to the official website one can come away
with a Passion Nail (TM) pendant for $52 (plus
taxes, shipping and handling). Message received. |
