Comments on Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" -- Opening Day
I usually do not comment on other people's spiritual beliefs as I respect the fact that others have different paths to finding God. This movie, however, has caused world-wide commentary.
First Impression
I saw the movie on opening day. What did I think? It was brutally and graphically violent. Two hours worth.
I believe however that it portrayed events as they were two thousand years ago in a brutal and violent time when the Romans put thousands to death via crucifixion and in the arena. I grieved for Mary as she watched. How could she watch; how couldn't she watch? She would rather have died herself. I grieved for Christ's suffering.
Christ as Central to Our Faith
It was suggested that we see this movie because as progressive Protestants we may have lost touch with Christ. This movie puts the final twelve hours of Christ's life directly in front of you. It was not meant to be the entire story. It was meant to portray the suffering of Christ as he, brutally beaten and dying on the cross, asks God's forgiveness for the perpetrators of the crucifixion. The humanity of Christ in this move is paramount. If we had lost touch with the figure of Christ being central to our faith, we have now regained our senses in a most graphic form.
Not Anti-Semetic
Do I think it was Anti-Semetic? No. It portrayed a small group of Sanhedrin, 2000 years ago, as being corrupt, forcing out Sanhedrin who said that Christ was no threat to them. It portrayed a group of local Jews as having been bought to attend Christ's facing Pilot-- small groups of people 2000 years ago, not the entire Jewish faith from then to eternity. Throughout history many faith groups have had blood stained hands: Christians, Jews, Moslems and countless others. This is one story of a small segment of one of those groups of people but who's victim effected 2,000 years of history. It portrayed Roman soldiers as sadistic brutes. The Romans and Pilate were also at fault and that was very clear. It also showed Christ, allowing prophecy and his destiny to take place.
Quality
The movie's cinematography was excellent. The portrayal of the devil was unexpected but brilliantly and creatively illustrated. This androgynous creature not only confronts Christ but is lurking in the crowd, clothed as to not be easily recognized. For me this was Gibson's creative metaphor for our being deceived by evil, even as it is among us. There were portions of the movie that I would rather have not watched but I forced myself to look. The subtitles did not detract from the experience. I gasped out loud at the scourging. I cried for Mary and Christ. The actors were superior. I did not see this as "Mel Gibson's gospel."
Should Children See It?
Even when we introduce Christianity to our children, we introduce it in an age appropriate manner. Certainly with younger children, there are deeper aspects of our faith that we explain to them as they get older. This is also true for the imagery of this film. It is not appropriate for the understanding levels of younger children.
Teens should see it with parents. I took our 17 year old (almost 18) to see it with the family. It is even good for adults to view it with others with whom it can be discussed.
Should You See It?
Yes. Realize though that if you are not a Christian, that some background is necessary so that you will understand that this is not the entire story of Jesus Christ. Reading at least one of the Gospels would help you to understand the context of the story. If you are a Christian, realize that forgiveness is the final message in this movie and that the resurrection is it's final image.
