The Passion

The following is taken from an e-mail I sent to the Christian-Fandom list. Any spelling or grammatical mistakes (of which there are too many), are the result of the nature of instant e-mail and instant response. Moreover, I could go on and on about each scene and choice Gibson made. However, I shouldn't like to spoil too much. I absolutely encourage and nearly demand that any readers who might stumble across this post must go see Gibson's "The Passion" when it is released on Ash Wednesday. You will be blessed.

Hallo, mes cheres!

Actually, I can offer some first hand observation. Last Saturday night, I was honored to see a rough cut of the entire movie of Mel Gibson's "Passion." (Long story how it happened, involving brothers, the Oblates of the Blessed Virgin, and the Legionnaries of Christ.) Although rumors had been flying around that we might be able to actually see the whole movie, I for one didn't believe that we'd be shown more than the extended trailer that's being circulated around the country. However, the producer for the film had brought the rough cut (not final edit, no special effects, interim music, etc.) and let us see the whole thing as it will more or less stand.

To put it in brief, bring tissues.

To expound on the possible bad press:

1) Anti-Semitism: as has been said before and elsewhere, "The Passion," which sticks almost word for word to the Gospel account is as anti-semetic as the Gospel of John, which is to say: it isn't. Surely, the Jews who call for Christ's death are shown as fearful of losing power. However, one priest leaves the proceedings in the Sanhedrin in disgust, denouncing them all. Likewise, although there are throngs of Jews clearly enjoying the show, scattered throughout are the faithful: Mary, John, Mary Magdalene, Veronica, the women of Jerusalem, anonymous sympathetic faces.

In short, Gibson could care less about any character's nationality - he is showing What Happened. Clearly, Jesus is himself a Jew, as are his apostles (amazing how the nay-sayers forget this rather crucial fact). But as there are Peters and Johns among the Jews as among ALL people in all times and places, so there are also Judases. This is so obviously a media ploy, and has always been such a media ploy that I myself have disregarded it from the beginning. However, for those who desired confirmation that Gibson is not promoting anti-semitism, there it is.

2) "The Passion" is not your typical "action" movie. My brother criticized it for not showing enough character development. I had to scoff. Although I'm an author, director and actor, I felt that the choice Gibson made, to avoid the "modern" forms of post-Freudian drama was the only possible and in fact the best choice. Those movies who have delved too deeply into Jesus's psychology end up tripping over their own analysis and we're left with Last Temptations of Christ and Buddy Jesus (or the heinous Hippy Jesus). Rather, Gibson lets the pageant unfold itself primarily through ACTION.

Even better, Jim Caveziel's portrayal of Jesus is anything but "buddy" or "hippy" - Jesus the Christ is a strong man, the only Man who ever lived. He so perfectly combines the human and divine natures of Christ, augmented by Gibson's artisticly juxtaposed images of an androgynous Satan-figure who accompanies Christ's tormenters through every stage of Jesus's passion. Balanced by this is the Blessed Virgin whose relationship as the perfect disciple of Christ makes me weep even now to recall it. Certainly the scenes - many of them silent - between Mary and her Son are the highlights of the picture, for then we see the emotional suffering of Christ, and in her we see a mirror of our own inner torment. Yet, if she can follow Him to the cross, so can we. Also strongly portrayed is Simon the Cyrene, who manages to have an entire emotional arc from repulsed by Christ to the Lord's comfort as Simon carries the cross AND Christ those last few feet up the hill to Calvary. Pilate's own internal struggle is well depicted, and Gibson's take on Peter's betrayal is the first scene that brought me to tears.

The key? Gibson is letting Christ tell His own story using Gibson and his cast and crew as His Wounded Hands.

3) The resurrection. I, too, should have liked to have seen just a little more here. (In fact, I *really* wanted to see the "Rabboni!" scene with Mary Magdalene.) However, from an artistic point of view I can understand that they were keen to especially tell the *Passion* - the Sorrowful Mysteries for my fellow Catholics! - with a profound bow to the Resurrection. My thought is that the Resurrection scene will work quite well once it's balanced by music and ending credits to give the audience "closure."

4) The beginning starts off a wee bit slow. BE GRATEFUL. The rest is difficult to get through. And yet...although inspiring horror at what was done, at what God allowed Himself to suffer...even more I found myself inspired with contrition. During the crucifixion scene (I was squinting; I couldn't bear to see the nails *actually go in*), I found myself clutching the pendant on my necklace, sobbing openly and without shame, and crying inside, "My God! My God! I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry! For every sin I've ever done. I'm SO sorry! For ever sin I've ever thought! Please, forgive me! Father, forgive me!" At that moment, He Himself is crying out, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" Even as the nails are tearing his feet to shreds, He forgave me.

I can't tell you what a profound effect this movie has had on me. I thought that I knew what Christ suffered. I had no idea. I thought I had meditated on His Passion. I had never even begun to contemplate what He underwent. I thought I understood what it meant that He who was sinless *became* sin for us. I thought I understood that my every sinful action was another mark upon His Most Sacred Flesh, another wound in His Most Sacred Head. Not until I saw Gibson's "Passion" did I even begin to feel that heartfelt contrition. I almost feel that the very thought of seeing another movie again would be blasphemous. I want to see "The Matrix" - but then I think: what am I doing to Christ? I'm very sinful. I am so grateful I saw this movie.

And please, don't think I was *eager* to see "The Passion"! I was actually terrified when I learned they had decided to show us the whole thing. I gripped the hand of my friend and she gripped mine the entire movie. But it wasn't from terror, such as I felt during, say, "Schindler's List." I could see this movie again. Because ultimately, it doesn't horrify you or terrify you or even drive you away. Just like Christ Himself, it draws you to your own cross, it brings you back to the true meaning of suffering, to Paul's quote, "I make up what is lacking in the suffering of Christ." You travel to Calvary with Christ, and He carries you as He carries that cross. As He says to His mother when she meets Him, "Fear not. I make all things new."

God bless,
Emily

And now for something completely different: Because God likes a good laugh, too!

You are most definately confused. Your head is as
flat as a pancake. nothing enteres through your
shiny smooth skin... it acts as a shield
against all intelligent life. Poor you. But
then again, you probably dont know why you are
taking this test so never mind....


How furrowed is your brow?
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Hmmm, I really thought it'd be water....

Your element is Earth. I hate to say it but you are
down to earth. Stubborn and loyal. You tend to
want to nurture others and you are the one
person friends always come to for awnsers.
Without people like you others would be flying
over the edge because, whether you know it or
not you keep a steady beat to your life and
will end up where you want to in the end. There
is a sureness about you that is hard to match
that draws people to you. No matter what
happens the Earth keeps turning.


What's your element
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Far more well written: Sed-Contra on the installation of their newest bishop.