Judith Weiss has just about everything you could want to know about The Passion of the Christ". Shockingly, no British people get their asses kicked in this movie... but then, Mel Gibson isn't actually starring in this one.
On a serious note, I especially liked Rev. Evans' simple suggestion. It would have resolved most of the issues with this film, without compromising the power of the script or Mel's views one iota.
I will say that I'm reluctant at this point to make judgements about Gibson's personal views or his movie. His father is clearly an anti-semite wingnut and a borderline fascist; then again, so was John F. Kennedy's dad. I plan to go see the movie myself before making up my mind - though it may be out in video by that time.
Article comments
1 - FKS
Yeah...everything I'd want to know if I was an hysterical anti-Christian. Can't wait for an opportunity to make fun of your religion. Without knowing anything about it. You're going to turn people into pro-Palestians, fast, with this attitude. Very classy. BTW...the implication that Rottentomatoes are uniformily negative is a flat out lie. Weiss doesn't link to Roger Ebert (two thumbs up) or Roger Corliss...in that little journal (far more known than her cherry picked critics) called Time.
Notice Weiss omits the threats of Jews in Hollywood...carried in NYTimes yesterday...you know, Katzenberg, Geffen, et al...to blacklist Mel. Payback? For what? I saw the movie...which is more than most here can say...and it's not anti-semitic. Though that wouldn't stop you hatemongers.
2 - Mac Diva
Joe (just what we need around here, another 'Joe") I would not be as skeptical if only Mel Gibson's motivation were at issue here. But, reading up on the Catholic Traditionalist Movement and Opus Dei, which the principals of "The Passion" are members of, bolstered my doubts. The groups are grounded in a reactionary world view. My entry about two of the controversies, written before the topic spread in the blogosophere, is here.