"I SAW [Mel Gibson's] THE PASSION" [the attacks are pretty much demonic]

Act One: Writing for Hollywood | 6/26/03 | Barbara Nicolosi

[Polycarp]

I SAW THE PASSION

Barbara Nicolosi

6/26/03

So I was at a private screening at Icon Productions yesterday, and got to see a rough cut of The Passion. There were about twelve people in the room, including Mel Gibson, his producing partner Steve and four or five other Icon staffers. After the screening, we talked to Mel and friends for about an hour. (As cool as that was, the quality of the film was such that the celebrity stuff was completely gone from the moment. I can't explain it really, except that it would be like standing in the Sistine Chapel next to, well, someone like Mel Gibson. Great art is a great leveler....) The rough cut we saw obviously didn't have the final score or special effects, and there were many more sub-titles than they will have in the finished film.

So, here's my take...

The Passion is a stunning work of art. It is a devout, act of worship from Mel and his collaborators - in the way that Handel's Messiah and Notre Dame were artistic acts of worship in previous times.

Let's get the controversy out of the way right at the top. The film is faithful to the Gospel, particularly St. John. It is no more anti-Semitic than is the Gospel. There are at least two members of the Sanhedrin who come forward to protest on Jesus' behalf during the sham trial. The Romans are just as guilty of cruelty and hatred against Jesus in the film. And best of all is a final look right into the camera of Mary, holding her dead Son. She is looking at all of us with a kind of , "Look what you've done"/This is for you" expression. A cinematic Pieta worthy of Michelangelo.

Having seen the film now, I can only marvel that the attacks are pretty much demonic. Hopefully, the devil will end up spitefully biting his own tail on this one-- as he does in The Passion by inciting on the executioners of Christ, and thus being complicit in his own ultimate defeat. The Passion is high art. It is the greatest movie about Jesus ever made. In the discussion following the film, Mel and co. were asking us how mainstream theater audiences would react to the film. I told them, "Who cares? What you have here is so much more than just a product to sell. It will live forever, regardless of whether it is a commercial success for you or not."

For those of us who love Jesus, The Passion is devastating to watch. It is so good, I almost couldn't stand it. There is one moment on the way of the cross sequence, in which the whole tragedy unfolding devolves into a vicious riot of hatred between Romans and Jews with the Savior on the ground in the middle of it getting it from both sides. It was so frenzied and terrible, I wanted to run from the room. But then, the film again finds Mary, Jesus's Mother on the sidelines, and her presence gets us through it. Kind of like how Mary's presence helped Jesus get through it, it seemed to me.

The film is lovingly Marian. Mary is perfectly portrayed here. She is contrasted repeatedly with the really super creepy Satan character, who is also a woman (something for the feminist theologians here? heh heh...).

The film is strongly Eucharistic. There is a beautiful juxtaposition of images that cuts from the stripping on Calvary to the unwrapping of the bread to be used at the last Supper. Fabulous stuff.

Every Christian needs to see this film at least once. Just to remember, in our current comfort zones while evil is closing in, the price that was paid for us. On my way home from the screening, I found myself praying in the car, "Jesus, I'm so sorry, I forgot..." How many films have led you to compunction lately? The Passion is a miracle.

[Polycarp]

Having seen the film now, I can only marvel that the attacks are pretty much demonic. Hopefully, the devil will end up spitefully biting his own tail on this one-- as he does in The Passion by inciting on the executioners of Christ, and thus being complicit in his own ultimate defeat. The Passion is high art. It is the greatest movie about Jesus ever made. In the discussion following the film, Mel and co. were asking us how mainstream theater audiences would react to the film. I told them, "Who cares? What you have here is so much more than just a product to sell. It will live forever, regardless of whether it is a commercial success for you or not."

[MaxPlus305]

Looking forward to seeing this. I've always liked Gibson's work (esp. in his version of Hamlet)

[Vigilanteman]

Wonderful first hand account. I've always liked Mel Gibson and hoped he would consider going into politics.

[TBall]

When does it come out?

[mykdsmom]

Sounds incredible, I can't wait to see it. Do you know when it will be released for general consumption?

Of course I have to say this, "You got to meet and talk to Mel for an hour?" WOW!!!!!

I LOVE Mel.

MKM

[Callahan]

Wow. High praise from a Christian viewer. Expect this film to be ripped to shreds by "mainstream" Hollywood.

[Dan from Michigan]

I'm not as active religious wise as I should be. Church poltics really turned me away from it lately.

A Christian film from a fellow Catholic like Mel Gibson is a must see. I'll know he'll do the best job he can on it.

[mykdsmom]

DOH!!!! Now I see that you were posting something someone else wrote Oops!!! Time for bed for me : (

[Callahan]

How do you suppose the Pentecostals will respond. I was watching the 700 Club the other day and Pat Robertson made it clear he's not a fan of the Catholic Church.

[Fred Mertz]

How does it end?

[Sinner6]

I heard Medved talking about the movie on his show and he says he plans to see it.

[Cicero]

Sounds good.

I was curious who this reviewer was, so I did a Google search. Here's what turned up:

http://www.catholicnewworld.com/archive/cnw2001/061001/school_061001.html

[OREALLY]

Thanks...exactly as I figured...I will go see it and buy the movie...

[Dan from Michigan]

I don't know. I have nothing against the Pentecosta's, but I don't care either since I'm not Pentecostal.

[ModernDayCato]

My wife and I have known each other for 15 years and we've never gone to the movies together. Looks like that's going to change soon.

[Hildy]

Speaking as a Jew, I can't wait to see this movie.

[St.Chuck]

Wow! That's one super duper thumbs up.

[DoughtyOne]

I'm looking forward to seeing this, and the wait will be too long.

It must be a real source of sorrow to Gibson and his crew to see the animus derived from their good intentions.

It drives me crazy to watch folks attack this movie knowing absolutely nothing about it. In the end the title might change. Content may morph as well.

There will be plenty of time to whine when the work is done.

[Maximilian]

Wow. I have been saying for some time that if Mel Gibson is able to succeed with his intentions, then this will be the greatest movie of all time, both artistically and religiously. This review makes it sound as though he has succeeded even beyond expectations. I'm anxiously looking forward to next spring and being able to see the greatest movie of all time.