the passion
It’s odd that I’m up this late (actually it’s early 22nd morning), but I’ve been thinking a lot today and tonight and I wanted to scribe this out in a more personal and explicit fashion.
Saturday was great. Abigail and I spent the day in Christiansburg at the mall and such as surrounds it. We did a little bit of shopping, some jeans and sandals for me, a nice GAP shirt for her. Then after our wandering, we went to their theater to see The Passion of the Christ. It’s taken me several weeks to get around to seeing this. Prior attempts to see it were faulty in that I didn’t purchase tickets ahead of time, so I had to wait slightly, but nonetheless I saw the film.
My thoughts of it have not yet been fully compiled, but I can reconcile that flaw by just saying what is on my mind. I think the movie is spectacular. The way Gibson structures the flow of the film is incredible. The flashbacks really help ease the grotesqueness of Jesus’ beating and torture; I’m glad Gibson took that into consideration. But I’m also glad that the movie does focus on the immense and feckless brutality that He endured. Often people get the image of a glorified crucifixion involving a long-faced, clean-cut Jew that has depressed disposition. Jesus was in fact a Jew, but neither of the other previously mentioned characteristics would have been likely. Jeremiah points this out nicely.
I will point out that I agree with many critics who say this is not a movie for children. This is not a movie for children. Mel Gibson grasps his leisure to take advantage of this modern film industry’s love for violence but uses it to reveal truth rather than fantasy. Jesus’ flogging is the most graphic scene of violence I have ever witnessed in a theater, or in a film for that matter. It’s horrible and brought tears to my eyes. But it’s the absolute truth. Granted, many people who see this movie without an in-depth knowledge of the gospels will not fully appreciate minute touches it offers, but the concept is there in full. En masse.
The way Pontius Pilate is portrayed astounds me. It makes me even more realize his total hesitance to condemn Jesus. Each gospel points out Pilate’s questioning was neither hasty nor cruel, in fact he wanted to let Jesus go. But, as the movie and history shows, he caved due to political pressure. Caviezel is amazing; stunning; phenominal. This already humble-natured man was perfectly casted as Jesus. The addition of Satan and the later scene of his defeat is uniquely designed, very creative, and was appreciated as a sign of directorial genius. I think this movie is truly touching and passionate.
But what to say on my personal note? To have the truth of Jesus’ torture finally forced into the forefront of my thoughts was rather chastising and deserved. Viewing this film has the same effect as individually reading, counting, and sorting my faults on 3 by 5 notecards. Jesus’ perfection and love, so wonderfully portrayed and alluded to even by his first act in the movie of healing Malchus’ ear while being arrested for blasphemy, is ever sincere. From a cinematic angle, the entirety of the story just can not be encompassed in a 2 or 3 hour film. But what was included was needed to get people interested in the topic.
I could say more, rant more, blabber more, but that’s useless. Everyone should see this movie for [her]himself. It is will make a clear mark in cinematic history.
But now I need to sleep and get ready for a week of work. A full week of work.