Movie Review- THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

The Passion Of The Christ- 2004

Directed by Mel Gibson

   For a man who has struggled with faith through most of his adult life, One cannot read this review without knowing that this film has changed me, yet this review comes only after seeing the film for a third time since it's release in 2004. An eye opening epiphany, this film brought me to tears more than once, as a man who not only believes in God and Jesus, but now has a further understanding of the Love that is Jesus Christ.
   Today is Monday August 20th, 2012, and it should be known that my sister Debi and I had a conversation last night about Love, Christ, and the differences of man, among other things, and upon saying goodnight to her, I felt it prudent to seek the message of this great film in a new light. Realizing it is an interpretation, it will be a catalyst for future searching that I will take to find in me the answers that I seek.
   The controversial Gibson has brought forth an interpretation of Christ's last hours in a way that I now see as an homage to the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us. As I said, this is the third time I've seen the film, but for reasons I am still processing, I personally received more from today's viewing than either of the last 2 times. It's almost as if I have no memory of watching it before, and it was fresh and new.
   From the opening sequences of the betrayal by Judas, I felt pain and sorrow for Christ. As he was taken away by the men of the Pharisees, I was angered by the indifference that a few pieces of silver would make for Judas. As Jesus was brought to his accusers of blasphemy, his silence at times when asked to speak for himself was in my eyes his way of telling them that there were no answers for which the questions they asked. "Forgive them, Father....they know not what they do."
   Jim Caviezel is superb in every way an actor playing Christ can be, from the soft spoken guidance he offers his followers in the flashback sequences, to the final words spoken while nailed to the cross; "Father, into your hands...I commend my spirit..". Noticing Christ's eyes dilating as he died only empowered the moment, in a brilliant detail of Gibson's.
   Of course, the crucifixion was the defining moment of the film, but for me, I felt the greatest sorrow when Mary went to him as he carried the cross through Jerusalem. The scene was enhanced with a flashback of Mary running to Jesus' aid when he fell as a child. Comforting him with "I'm here...", both scenes combined to define an undying love a mother has for child, and in that moment, even a mother's love could not stop what was happening. Telling him "I'm here." warrants his response of, "See, mother...I make all things new."
   Jesus never screamed in protest of his accusations, he simply did what he did for the power that he was, the Son of Man, the Messiah.
   Even upon the cross, he said to another condemned man who confessed his crime to him, "Amen, I tell you, on this day you shall be with me in paradise." In what is another defining moment for me, this scene embodies the power of giving yourself to Christ.
   The Passion Of The Christ is epic, indeed. Mel Gibson's direction holds you from start to finish, and for me, a new understanding at age 39 of the sacrifice of Jesus, he who died for our sins. This is now a film I will never forget, as it will help me seek the answers I look for for the rest of my life.

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken" - Psalm 16:8