The Passion of the Christ

directed by Mel Gibson

starring James Caviezel, Maia Morgenstern, Monica Bellucci

I've tried writing this review a few times now and none of the attempts quite captures what I’m trying to say about it! The film is a biblical account of the story of Jesus, starting just before the point where he gets arrested to be hung.

The film starts with Jesus in the garden praying to his Father God, whilst being mocked and tempted by the devil. Both Jesus and Satan know what is about to happen. Jesus is wanting to listen to his Father and do what is asked of him, even tough he knows it is going to mean lots of suffering and a humiliating death. He is pleading with God, that if there is another way, let it happen. Intensely scared and desperate he is tempted by Satan to give up, to think of himself. Satan I attacking him exactly where it hurts the most. This scene catches Jesus’ dilemma and struggle so deeply. The eyes and movements of Satan are so sly and evil. Really beautiful filming and acting.

Right at the start the film becomes very personal to me. I’m writing as a Christian and I find it impossible to watch or write about the film without it touching me personally. For me, this is my Jesus, my friend. I know why he died, for me. The violence in the film, the cruel way Jesus was treated, the mocking, the humiliation, he did that all because of me. I don’t watch films rated 18, because I get bad dreams but I felt the blood and graphic images of Jesus suffering was necessary in this film. It didn’t bother me because this is what it was like for Jesus. The reason I closed my eyes and really really cried was because Jesus means everything to me.

The film shook me. All of a sudden Jesus’ death meant more to me than ever. I’m struggling explaining what I mean because it shook my innermost feelings. I’ve never cried like that before. Not even when I first became a Christian. I don’t know what that means. I’m so glad I watched it.