The Passion of the Christ [2004] Movie Reviews on CinemaClock

I recently viewed "The Passion of the Christ, " and I found it an incredibly moving and spiritual film, despite the fact that it is graphically violent and detailed on the physical torture applied to Jesus. Judging this film "anti-Semitism" and "pornographically violent" is completely irrelevant for, what I believe, this film is dealing with something larger than the artistic/social/religious contexts. Passion is a perfect word for the subject matter Mel Gibson examines in this film. Mentioned in one of the critics I read, the word passion from Latin means "suffering" and "pain" instead of, what we usually associate it to, romance and joy. It is indeed a movie about the suffering and pain Jesus undertakes and there is almost no rest for us to breath. Artistically, "Passion" is unbalanced for it shows so much agony and brutality while almost no portion of peace and love, which Christianity promotes, can be found. Yet the physical pain is so vividly and effectively illustrated that it moves me beyond any speech about peace and love can do. Anyone who criticizes James Caviezel for being dull under the silicone make-up is missing the point. Using merely body gestures and eyes expressions, Caviezel did an excellent performance in expressing Jesus' mental state. His performance reminds me John Hurt in "The Elephant Man" who uses similar method to act under the heavy make-up. Now you've heard this film is "anti-Semitism, " I don't think it intends to promote this on any level. Some Jews, especially the Jewish priests, are portrayed as some greedy and evil mobs who won't hesitate to put Jesus to death for their own benefits. Pilate, the roman governor, who shows a moment of compassion and understanding, betrays his heart by punishing Jesus from scourging to crucifixion in order to keep his area politically stable. He is a coward who cannot be faithful to the truth his soul says to him. The Roman soldiers are illustrated as some bloodthirsty beasts that torture the prisoners as their professions and hobbies. Good seeds are found among both Jews and Romans. In one scene, a Jewish girl offers Jesus a towel and bowl of water, and during the scourging scene, Pilate's wife also offers a towel to Mary and Magdalene. One can accuse Gibson cannot evaluate his characters beyond the realm of cartoonishness, but calling this film anti-Semitism is certainly overreacting Ultra-violent? Yes, it is. In fact "Passion" is the most violent film I've ever seen. I have watched some of the goriest and bloodiest movies but I found the violence in "Passion" is nearly unbearable. The beating and torture are applied to a person who never fights back, and whom we are so familiar with, making us feel guilty while watching the whole process safely and comfortably in the dark air-conditioned theatres. The immediate question is, is it necessary to carry out so much blood and gore to make the point? It's difficult to answer. However, personally I think it works in "Passion." To me, crucifixion is merely a word attached to Christianity. Never did I realize the weight this word carries. Without Caviezel's incredible performance, the violence will lack its redeeming point. Gibson constantly focuses his camera on Caviezel's eyes, which show Jesus' psychological struggle between commitment to his mission on Earth and the unbearable physical pain he is suffering. If Martin Scorsese's 'The Last Temptation of Christ' illustrates Jesus' doubt to his mission on the Earth, Mel Gibson portrays a Jesus who already completely devotes himself to his goal and struggles his way to reach it.'The Passion of the Christ' is more than a very well made film that tells the story and entertains the audiences. It is a rare example that will shock you and stick with you for a long period, if not a lifetime. One does not have to be religious in order to appreciate this film. I am not a religious person, yet I am deeply moved by it. I recommend this film to the people who will open their eyes and see. 9/10.