Review of The Passion of the Christ (2004) by Filipeneto — 23 Feb 2018

This film tells the final week of what is the greatest story ever told. The last teachings of Jesus Christ, His suffering, His death and finally the suggestion of His resurrection. Directed by Mel Gibson, which also provides the script along with Benedict Fitzgerald, it stars Jim Caviezel and Monica Bellucci.

This film has been seen as Christian propaganda by some people. It doesn't seem the case. If its agreed that Jesus existed and was crucified and scourged before He died, then this film shows exactly what probably we would have seen, if we were there. And this is true for Catholics and Protestants, believers, non-believers, religious and atheists. Jesus lived, preached a message revolutionary for His time and was killed for it. Everything else depends on the faith of each one but, being the film based on the Bible (which is the main source of information about Jesus), obviously it would have to portray the resurrection in the end, even if merely suggested.

Another criticism I have heard a lot about this film is its huge graphic violence. I don't understand that. Upsets see how Jesus suffered but didn't bother to have video games and horror movies even more graphic? Our current society has a very severe point of view about violence but forget that it was part of everyday life for thousands of years, and its not possible to conceive Roman times without violence. Thankfully, we live in another way but we shouldn't ignore the past or forget what we have passed to change our collective mentality.

I think Mel Gibson did a great job as director. Its good to see that he has learned from his mistakes, as did some lamentable movies in the past ("Braveheart"). The option for absolute historical accuracy was certainly his choice, as the decision to faithfully represent biblical texts, compelling in all that relates to Jesus, not only by tradition but also by the absence of other sources. I loved listening to the original languages ​​(Aramaic and Latin, in particular), I think it gave to the film an additional realism. Caviezel was intense and exceptional in his role, managing to convey the pain and suffering, but also the love and sweetness of Jesus' heart. It was an injustice not to have earned the nomination for the Oscar for Best Leading Actor, at least. The makeup and costumes work was exceptional and shined by its realism. The scenarios also helped to portray Jerusalem in that period, a city that isn't very different from the current city. The picture is very good and the special, visual and sound effects were great and help the audience to enter into the film, following the pains of Jesus until the end. The soundtrack, written by John Debney, is undoubtedly one of the best ever made for film in the XXI century.