In Other Words – A Movie Review by Mark Pintar

Of

The Passion of the Christ
Directed By: Mel Gibson
Starring: Jim Caviezel

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR REGARDING THE FOLLOWING REVIEW

As SFPNN’s editor, I strive hard to provide positive content, including uplifting, faith-driven concepts. Another objective of SFPNN is to make sure all of our content is “safe” to read (without violence or negative images) and that it will leave you feeling positive, or at least thinking about how to lead a more positive life. I also try to allow our authors creative freedom.

When it comes to our book or movie reviews, I encourage reviews of the same type of material we normally try to provide, something positive! And I request that if it contains content about religious or spiritual beliefs, that it can be beneficial to those of all faiths.

So when Mark told me he wanted to review The Passion of the Christ, I didn’t know if he was joking, had inhaled too much of Tiger and Crystal’s catnip, or if he was serious. He was serious.

Personally refusing to see the movie because of its graphically violent content, I didn’t really understand Mark’s motive. But he asked if he could just write it, let me read the review, and see if it would be appropriate. I still can’t say I’d recommend the movie as something to see for a quick pick-me-up, but I understand why it was so important for Mark to share this review with you. I think you will, too.

Thanks for following your heart, Mark.

--- Jeanette

The passion of the christ
Directed By: Mel Gibson
Starring: Jim Caviezel

“The Passion of the Christ” is not what most people would consider entertainment. Nor is it big on the positivity usually shared in these (virtual) pages. It is, however, a very important movie. I won’t go into the controversy, you’ve probably heard most of it already, nor will I go into the plot. If you’ve ever read one of the Gospels depicting the last day of Jesus’ human life, you know it already. I will give you my reaction to the film.

Mel Gibson and his mostly Italian crew do a wonderful job of recreating life in Jesus’ time. What I took away from this film is what Jesus went through on that last day, not just physically, but emotionally as well. Through the effective use of flashbacks, we catch a glimpse of what Jesus may have been thinking of and remembering during that last day.

The performance of Jim Caviezel as Jesus was outstanding. With very little dialog, he expresses the innermost thoughts and feelings of Jesus, unjustly condemned, through his gestures, physicality and eyes. Eyes tell a big part of this story, whether the eyes of Jesus, Mary, Magdalene, Peter, James, Roman soldiers, Jewish peasants and priests, or the Devil.

Growing up Catholic, I spent many a Good Friday at the Stations of the Cross, following the last steps of Jesus. I, however, usually was not thinking much about what the words I was hearing meant, or what I would have done had I been around at that time, or had been confronted by an angry mob recognizing me as a disciple of Jesus. “The Passion of the Christ” gave me a vivid perspective as to what really was happening, and insight as to what was probably going on in the minds and hearts of those closest to Jesus.

In this film, I also saw the sacrifice and love Jesus had for all of us. Knowing what He would suffer, He willingly went through this earthly ordeal, and then through another on the spiritual plane to allow us all to be saved. It impacted my heart with a much more personal understanding of Jesus’ love, much like the first time a child realizes the tremendous love of a parent through all they have sacrificed and done to provide for that child.

I think this film is also important on another level. It has made it OK for people to talk about God, Jesus and their faith in public and in the media. For a long time, God and Jesus have seemed to be on the “7 words you can’t say on TV” list. Now, movie reviewers and journalists across the country have been expressing their views in the context of discussing “The Passion of the Christ”. Let’s hope the discussion continues beyond the film.

--- © 2004, In Other Words, A Book and Movie Review by Mark Pintar

http://www.sfpnn.com/in_other_words.htm
markpintar@mindspring.com

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