Movie Review: The Last Temptation of Christ

Once in a great while, a film is released that is doused in religion and spiked with controversy. And it’s true: whenever politics or religion is the main focus of a film, things can tend to get a little contentious. Just ask Mel Gibson.

Some believe that the amount of blood and brutality shown on screen in his The Passion of the Christ is abhorrent, while others simply soak in the spiritually-charging depiction of the Christian Savior’s sacrifice for mankind. The highly controversial The Passion of the Christ definitely did for the new millennium what The Last Temptation of Christ did for the '80's; it got people talking. While some spent their time debating these pictures, others applauded them. Either way, both films received their publicity causing the biblical story of Jesus to be conversed worldwide. In the overall scope of things, both of these Christ-depicting films are excellent in their own right, yet each are admirable in their own distinctive way. The Passion is spiritual and earnest, while The Last Temptation is more inducing of critical thinking.

The Last Temptation chronicles the life of Jesus—the man. Jesus is shown saving Mary Magdalene from being stoned to death, gaining His Apostles and followers, and then traveling to the desert for His forty-days-and-forty-nights stay to speak with God. Also depicted is Jesus’ ability to heal the blind, turn water to wine, and resurrect Lazarus. Before the Christian Savior’s freely-accepted death, He is tempted by Satan many times. For example, throughout His mission from God, Jesus is enticed once by the flame in the desert, and again through one final effort while on the cross. In the end, it is all about the power of Christ’s love for man, His willingness to be crucified, and His capacity to overcome any and every temptation.

If there is anything that some may find offensive in The Last Temptation, it is either in one of Jesus’ hallucinations or it is merely an attempt to show the human tendencies of an initially troubled and almost burdened Jesus. With that being said, even with its “not based upon the Gospels but upon the fictional exploration of the eternal spiritual conflict” disclaimer, it may come off as a little discomforting to Christian fundamentalists. The film illustrates Jesus making love to Mary Magdalene, having children, and growing old. Overall, The Last Temptation of Christ does not represent Christ in glory, but rather in confusion of love and violence. However, ultimately, all of the human – as opposed to divine – depictions of Jesus, serve a purpose. Considering this picture is not a biblically referenced reenactment, but rather an in-depth look at what Jesus may have gone through during His time on earth as a man, it is a captivating work that ponders how tempting a real human life could have been for Jesus. For those who don’t consider themselves austere on the subject matter at hand, this film will seriously provoke an inordinate amount of thought on the nature of Christ.

Article Author: Brandon Valentine

Brandon Valentine is a film critic from Hershey, PA. Aside from possessing the last name “Valentine” and living in “the Sweetest Place on Earth,” Brandon was also born on Valentine’s Day. That’s right, a Valentine born on Valentine’s Day. …

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