Well, the wife and I went to see Mel Gibson’s film: ‘The Passion of the Christ’ tonight. After getting home from the theatre, I logged on to WetCanvas and found a lengthy discussion taking place regarding the film. With the movie fresh in my mind, I just had to weigh in with my two cents! I ended up posting what I think amounts to a rather in depth review of the film, and more so, of some of the ideas surrounding the film. I’ve reposted my contribution to WetCanvas, concerning The Passion of the Christ here! (CLick on the “more” link to read the entire post)
I have to say that I went into this film with a good deal of apprehension. I was previously unaware of Mel Gibson’s religious convictions, and after seeing him in recent interviews, I was expecting a 2 hour sermon on the moral veracity of the Christian faith. However, I was surprised to find that this was not the case at all. I felt that the movie was extremely powerful and moving. There was, of course, a great deal of violence in the film. However, I believe that every second of it was merited. It served to underscore what I took to be the point of the film; a point that I think most people have overlooked.
Here we see a man who is subjected to physical torture, pain and suffering which I think I may safely say, no person I have ever met, in his or her wildest dreams, could even come close to imagining what it would be like to endure. Yet, through all of this horror befalling him, he refuses at any time to bend from what he believes to be right and true. And, more importantly, after all of this physical torment, on a scale that I am sure relatively few humans (at least in this culture) can imagine, he completely forgives the ones causing him this unfathomable suffering and in his moment of unworldly agony and torture, actually prays for THEM. (when, of course, he could be praying for himself) The message at least, is pure and right. It serves to illustrate how petty people can be, when we react in anger and hatred, with an inability to forgive, when someone commits an act such as stealing our parking space at the mall, or cutting us off in traffic. If we are to believe that this man could endure such unspeakable torture at the hands of another, and still retain the strength of will to forgive, how can we be satisfied in ourselves when we cannot find forgiveness for the most trivial of wrongs committed against us? (I believe this also illustrates my belief that Christian’s do a disservice to Christ by calling him God – If Christ, while incarnate was God, then his abilities are beyond ours, and thus this works to relieve people of the burden of trying to be ‘Christ-like.’ If Jesus, while incarnate, were a mere man, we would have no excuses when we fall short of the example he set. If he were a man, the ideal must be attainable for us all.)
Also, with regards to the apprhension expressed by some, toward violence in this film, I think serves to illustrate a part of the Christian message. I have heard people; even Christians say that they will not see this movie because of the violence depicted. The reason for this, I am guessing, is that they are bothered by displays of violence and do not wish to subject themselves to the suffering which they would have to endure in order to view the film. (The suffering of the irked ness they experience when viewing depictions of violence) Of course, taken in the Christian light, this is a big part of why we fail as human beings and actually need saving: our self-absorption and unwillingness to sacrifice ourselves.
According to the Christian story, Christ willingly suffered unspeakable agony with no regard for himself; he made the ultimate sacrifice as an act of pure selflessness. And, even though he willingly endured this unspeakable physical torment for us, there are seemingly some who will not endure 2 hours of having to watch unpleasant images in order to attempt to better ourselves by opening ourselves to his message. Even if you don’t believe in the Christ story, there are a great number of people throughout history who have willingly endured great suffering and sacrifice for what they felt was good and right for humanity, and the principle still stands. Basically, I’m speaking of the attitude: “Don’t bother me about trying to improve myself as a human being, that would inconvenience me.” – How can we be satisfied with ourselves, if we clamor to avoid such minimal an endurance of unpleaseantness, when so many have suffered so much more for us?
I guess what I’m trying to say is that the movie is very violent, horrific and quite disturbing. But, the violence is an extremely effective vehicle. It carries with it a very strong and noble message that everyone needs to realize – and that is simply: understanding, forgivness, compassion and love for your fellow man is all-important and worth any personal sacrifice. If I had a young child, I would not hesitate to let him or her see this movie.
I would suggest, when watching this film, if you are not a Christian, to try and completely put out of your mind any religious aspects of this movie. Watch the movie for the message alone. The movie, as was Christ’s life, was not about ‘Christianity’ as a religion or institution. (I think this is often forgotten by Christians and non-Christians alike. Christianity formed independent of Christ. Remember, there was really no such thing as Christianity during Jesus’ entire lifespan. Jesus’ followers were a breakaway Jewish Sect) It was about knowing truth and learning to live in the right way: with love, honor, and compassion for your fellow man.
And lastly, to address the anti-Semitic ideas regarding this movie, I would have to say that anyone who comes away from this movie with anti-Semitic ideas is most likely a complete moron and has totally missed the point of the film. I thought that the film made it very clear that any ‘blame’ was well shared. But more importantly, exactly who was responsible was of entirely no consequence, their actions were out of weaknesses that we all posses, and those weaknesses had been forgiven.
Sure, it portrays the Pharisees in a bad light, but it also portrays the Romans in a bad light AND it portrays the disciples in a very bad light. And, again, I think it effectively states: that if you care enough about Christ to feel anger with those who may have directly been responsible for his suffering, you should care enough to follow his word and his example; forgive and ‘love your enemies.’ If you feel anger in your heart toward them, you carry with you the very faults that were responsible for the suffering, and as such, it is you who share in the responsibility.
At the very least, I think this is an important film. It has been a long time since a film has caused so much discussion regarding the messages and ideas contained within. Any film which spawns such an exchange between people (Where the bulk of that exchange doesn’t consist of special effects critiques) is, in my books, a work of value.
