Son of God (CNS Movie Review)

cns ^ | March 1, 2014 | John Mulderig

[NYer]

NEW YORK (CNS) -- As the first wide-release film in nearly 50 years to focus on the life of Jesus as a whole, "Son of God" (Fox) represents an epochal event for believing moviegoers.

Though not the most powerful mass media treatment of its subject -- that accolade continues to belong to Franco Zeffirelli's 1977 television miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth" -- director Christopher Spencer's reverent but uneven screen version of the Gospel story ranks as a worthy revival of the Hollywood biblical epic.

Diogo Morgado in "Son of God." (CNS/Fox)

The screenwriters, led by Nic Young, find an efficient entree into their narrative by entrusting it to an aged St. John the Evangelist (Sebastian Knapp) during his exile on the island of Patmos. This is theologically helpful because the opening lines of the Beloved Disciple's Gospel, as recited here, describe the Incarnation, a mystery without which all that follows could easily be misconstrued.

Early scenes leading up to and including the Nativity will remind at least some viewers that "Son of God" is an outgrowth of last year's highly successful miniseries on the History cable channel series, "The Bible." The new footage that follows is at its best in its portrayal of the events that culminated in the crucifixion of Jesus (Diogo Morgado).

Thus Judas (Joe Wredden), Caiaphas the high priest (Adrian Schiller) and Pontius Pilate (Greg Hicks) are all assigned believable motives, while Morgado succeeds in blending messianic vision with very human pain in a thoroughly compelling way -- one that accords, moreover, with the scriptural account.

Catholic viewers will also appreciate the unqualified acknowledgement of St. Peter (Darwin Shaw) as the leader of the Apostles as well as scenes highlighting Mary's (Roma Downey) closeness to her son. And, though the portrayal of the Last Supper seems somewhat noncommittal as to the meaning of the Eucharist, a rough-and-ready celebration of the sacrament is shown to be the chosen moment for the Lord's first post-Resurrection appearance to the Twelve.

As for the ministry and preaching that precede the Passion -- during which Jesus draws the disapproving attention of Simon the Pharisee (Paul Marc Davis) -- there are moments that range from the moving to the awkward.

Morgado brings the requisite gravity to bear in announcing that the passage from the Prophet Isaiah he has just read aloud in Nazareth's synagogue has now been fulfilled. But the story of Lazarus' death and revivification is truncated -- and drained of much of its impact -- by the absence of any hint of Jesus' previous friendship with him and with his mourning sisters.

Despite such shortcomings, as produced by Downey, Mark Burnett and Richard Bedser, Spencer's picture offers some solid catechesis and an easy introduction to the Lord's earthly biography. That's all the more valuable given the erosion in religious literacy our society has experienced since the appearance of "Son of God's" most recent -- yet far distant -- predecessor, George Stevens' 1965 Gospel drama "The Greatest Story Ever Told."

In that context, and despite its unflinching treatment of the Redeemer's sufferings, "Son of God" is probably acceptable for older teens.

The film contains strong gory violence. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

[Psalm 73]

"Watering down the Gospel to make it “comfortable” isn’t the Gospel."

Fine, then, you cast the first stone.

[fabian]

So what...the movie is not new age.

[fabian]

Yes...that Matthew quote is so true..especially of some Christian leaders of today!....so called

[stars & stripes forever]

“So what...the movie is not new age.”

What has been omitted in “Son of God” is that Jesus is the only way for salvation. He is the only way.

False religions recognize Jesus, but they don’t recognize Him as Lord and Savior. This version of the life of Christ leaves the door open to the interpretation that “all roads lead to heaven”

[DJ MacWoW]

Fine, then, you cast the first stone.

I did.

A new ager trying to water down Scripture is a false teacher. The Word warns about those that would tickle our ears.

[fabian]

That is BS....hs clearly shares in the movie that he is the way. Have you even seen it? Oh brother...you just need something to pick apart, I think.

[stars & stripes forever]

“hs clearly shares in the movie that he is the way”

What was omitted is “No one cometh to the Father but by Me.”

Words mean something.

[Psalm 73]

"Fine, then, you cast the first stone."

I did.

Stop it - read Matthew 23 - then read it again.

"For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice..."
Hosea 6:6a

[DJ MacWoW]

The word warns about people like Downey. She is New Age and talks to the dead. If you want to believe that she has knowledge of the Father, fine. But don't you dare tell me not to tell others that she's a false teacher and why.

Nothing from Hollywood comes from God. Nothing

[reasonisfaith]

None of the people from the Bible you mention were false teachers.

False teaching leads to the unforgivable sin.

[fabian]

You sound like a hypocrite actually..the message is their for those who want and need it. For your information, they may have not included that due to so many phoney Christians misrepresenting that. There are poor souls around the globe that God still sends the truth to and they may never have heard about Jesus, but they innately know about the need to be forgiving...which is mandatory to receive salvation..which was indeed in the movie!

[Psalm 73]

"The word warns about people like Downey."

And about people like you, too.
I'll pray for you, but our conversation is over.

[stars & stripes forever]

“There are poor souls around the globe that God still sends the truth to and they may never have heard about Jesus”

All the more the Good News is told that Jesus is the only way.

http://www.patburt.com/

[Psalm 73]

"...false teachers."

OK, one last time - did you see and hear Roma Downey blaspheme God?
Is she a teacher? Really? Who set her up as a teacher of scripture? I didn't know she was.
Or did you just have a bad movie experience?

[DJ MacWoW]

our conversation is over.

Thank the Lord! I've never enjoyed wishy-washy Christians that don't stand up for God.

[reasonisfaith]

To do a movie on the Bible is the willful act of becoming of Bible teacher.

To leave out the glorification of God and the blood atonement of Christ is to eliminate the very nature and identity of the Bible.

This is not a movie on the Bible. It’s Roma Downey’s “Ancient Mythological Drama in the Middle East” (with characters borrowed from the Christian Bible).

[fabian]

You don’t have a clue. Did you even see the movie? Oh boy.

[DJ MacWoW]

Ya know it really is sad. Here you’ve got Roma Downey with Sodom of California talking about how wonderful her movie is but they blacklist someone like Kevin Sorbo for being a Christian. A real one. And still there are some who are just too blind to see why.

[make no mistake]

I enjoyed The Bible miniseries and am looking forward to seeing “Son of God”

[stars & stripes forever]

“There are some who are just too blind to see why.”

The Lord led me to compose a song on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It was the complete chapter of Isaiah 59. This is the state of America.

Isaiah 59:10

“We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.”