Review of The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) by Stuart K — 05 Sep 2012

Martin Scorsese had wanted to do an adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis' 1953 book since the early 1970's, but he could never get the funding for it, and he nearly had it in 1983, but it fell through, but he tried again, and got it made.

It's not as controversial as the protesters made it out to be, but it shows a human side to Jesus Christ, showing a human side to him, and even exploring a "what if?" scenario. Jesus Christ (Willem Dafoe) is a humble carpenter in Roman-occupied Judea, and he even helps the Roman's crucify revolutionaries.

Jesus is having a relationship with Jewish prostitute Mary Magdalene (Barbara Hershey), while Judas Iscariot (Harvey Keitel), who was assigned to kill Jesus, comes to believe Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus gets deciples and followers, and brings hope to people oppressed by the Roman's.

But, Judas betrays him, and has Jesus arrested and put before Pontius Pilate (David Bowie), who sentences him to be crucified, while up on the cross, Jesus is offered a glimpse of an alternate life by his guardian angel (Juliette Caton), who shows him what life would be like if he lived it until he was old.

It's a very epic, but naturalistic film with some good performances throughout. Despite the shitstorm of controversy it got upon release, it treats Jesus with dignity and respect, unlike what The Passion of the Christ (2004) did, which had him suffer in pain.

It might look like a departure for Scorsese, but it's a very personal film for him, close to his heart and a passion project.