Posted by m1s1n (216.228.163.41) on February 29, 2004 at 09:01:13:
So I saw "The Passion" last night. Everyone said it was gory. Everyone said it was brilliant. Everyone said it was full of life. Everyone was wrong. The movie is far more than gory--it is revulting. To call it brilliant would only be based upon a Christian bias. To say it is full of life is only accurate if life is a melodrama.
The movie is the bloodiest thing I have ever seen in my life. I have watched millions of horror films--and not one of them is anywhere near as graphic as this film. I find it odd that not only do Christians support this amount of violence--but films like 'Clerks' almost get an NC-17 rating because of language. The violence is basically a hype to prove a point, and I question the necessity. On one hand I can see it as an essential aspect of the story. On the other hand I felt it to be extremely uncomfortable--to the point of nausia--which severly took away from the film. Suspension of disbelief only goes so far.
The movie itself is not as technically sound as everyone has been presenting it to be. Gibson makes a very amateur mistake over and over again--which is to show dark scenes followed by extremely bright ones with no transition. This not only burns the eyes, but makes for an awkward moment in the film. As previously stated the entire film is acted out in great amounts of melodrama. Initially there is nothing wrong with this--however it is in a foreign language. Again, the suspension of disbelief is lifted because of this. It also quickly becomes redundant. Roughly half of the film is people crying, Jesus screaming out in pain, and Jews yelling and cursing excessively.
Accusations that the film is anti-Semetic are unfortunately accurate. The Jews--especially the elders are seen throughout the film as angry, dispassionate, and unforgiving. They spit at Jesus, call him 'blasphemer', throw stones, and kick as he falls. They show no remorse as he is brutally (and excessively) tortured. While it might not have been Gibson's intention the message is clear that the Jews turned their backs on Jesus and condemning him. Romans are shown as drunk, violent, and excessive. Ultimately the human environment seems as though Jesus would have been murdered in the street far before he was ever given a trial.
People who have been moved by this film are those with deep religious feelings towards Christ. It is undeniable that if you feel Christ is an important part of your life this movie will have a great affect on you. However, non-Christians will be revulted, upset, and disgusted by the blatent use of shock imagery. The only story told is that Jesus was brutally murdered for his beliefs. There is barely any message of respect for others, or compassion until the very end of the film. I only recommend this movie to the strong of stomach and faith--others will be offended.