Whenever a filmmaker decides to pursue the topic of Christianity for the purposes of making a compelling film, it's often met with strong controversy. This is likely because those who are strong in their faith have preconceived notions as to what is correct and what is incorrect in relation to their beliefs. As a result, any idea or opinion that may be in opposition of those preconceived ideas is often greeted with apprehension.
Legendary director Martin Scorsese had some experience with this mentality when he released his long-gestating passion (no pun intended) project The Last Temptation of Christ. Adapted for the screen from an equally controversial novel by author Nikos Kazantzakis, the book portrayed Jesus Christ in a more human context than many previous films. It brought forth the suggestion that Jesus Christ faced all of the same doubts, fears, and inner conflicts as the people for whom he died, and yet still lived a life free from sin. The consistently brilliant Willem Dafoe portrayed Christ in the film, and Scorsese regulars Harvey Keitel and Barbara Hershey portrayed Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene, respectively.
The performances in the film are, for the most part, very strong (with one exception being David Bowie as a rather stoic Pontius Pilate), and the technique and presentation of the film is astounding. However, this article is less about the presentation of the film, and is more about the ideas and concepts presented therein. While the film received strong critical acclaim (even securing another best director nomination for Scorsese), many religious organizations objected to the portrayal of Jesus in the film as a man with very human struggles. However, I would contest that many of the scenes that were looked upon as heretical may in fact present a more intriguing view of faith and Christian understanding.
One scene in particular that drew the ire of fundamentalists groups was a sequence where Satan comes to Christ while he is on the cross, and he presents Christ with a vision of what his life would be like if he did not perish on the cross. During the sequence, Jesus is shown marrying Mary Magdalene and producing children, and leading an average domestic life. I have always found the rejection of this concept to be quite peculiar. I myself possess a strong belief in the existence of God, and the sacrifice of his son for the sins of man. And if anything, many of the ideas in this film provide me with an even greater respect and admiration for the Passion of Christ. The text of the Holy Bible repeatedly informs the reader that Christ was 100% God, but he was also 100% man. In so many portrayals of Christ, it seems the emphasis on Jesus as God repeatedly overpowers the fact that he was also a man of flesh and blood.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Very good analysis.
I was surprised more people didn't see the humanizing of Christ in the story wasn't heresy, but elevated the meaning of his sacrifice and acceptance.
Same goes for Judas. In a sense, he is a hero of the story in the larger context because he sacrificed as well, cursed to be thought of as a villain throughout history, and either committed suicide, burst asunder, or was stoned by his fellow Apostles depending on who's telling the story.
2 - Jordan Richardson
El Bicho, things have changed with time. While that point of view is still prevelant in some groups, the mainline Christian position on the film has evolved beyond a point of acceptance. Many groups now use Scorsese's film as a teaching aid. Go figure.
3 - Tony Dayoub
Mr. Clayton,
Your analysis is thoughtful, and I enjoyed the way you presented it.
A word of warning, though. Be careful using Wikipedia as a citation in an article. While I admit to using it myself for cursory research and insights, it is very unreliable. Better to track back to any sources used to write the Wikipedia article since those are more likely corroborated journalistic sources. I've had wikipedia bite me in the ass when I wasn't looking.
All of this is IMHO, of course.
4 - Michael Clayton
Thanks for the warm reception; as for the Wikipedia entry, I sincerely don't recall using Wikipedia as a citation, and I am wondering if it was included as an afterthought. With that said, always good to take some advice from seasoned writers on Blogcritics, and I absolutely welcome that.
5 - Lee Richards
This is a well-made and moving film which was widely condemned by some fundamentalists who never saw it, but can't bear to let their god out of the small box they have constucted for him.
It is reverent and thought-provoking, and based on a novel, NOT the Gospels--a fact that its harshest critics ignored.
It's an inspired sermon on film, about the mixture of "holy" spirit and human weakness we all carry inside and often struggle to reconcile.