Normally, I would stay away from movies/TV shows with religious themes. Exceptions being ’Raavan’ a TV show about a mythological anti-hero warrior, who could be a role-model to youth. Or Mel Gibsons’ sadomasochistic epic ’The Passion of Christ’, where James Caviezel got flogged for nearly half an hour before getting nailed in the hands and subjected to other extremely cruel forms of torture.
But since the movie was directed by Martin Scorsese, one of my favorite directors I couldn’t stop myself from watching it on DVD. It being controversial helped too (in making the decision). Dude loves to read controversial stuff, more so if it’s banned in India. Be it ’Rama Retold’ or Rushdie’s ’Satanic Verses’ or ’The Last Temptation of Christ’. Movie has been banned in India for polticial reasons. The official reason given being that it could hurt the feelings of Christians to see Jesus Christ dreaming about marrying Mary Magdalene, having kids and leading a normal life.
Passion of Scorsese
>The word "Dream" ought to be emphasized here. The, most, controversial elements occur in a dream, Jesus has on the cross during his crucifixion. And not in real-life. That way it differs from ’Da Vinci Code’ which insisted that Christ did indeed married Magdalene and had a kid from her. Though I’m against banning books/movies for any reason whatsoever, I’m surprised that ’DaVinci Code’ isn’t banned, while ’Temptation’ is! May be being classified as ’Fiction’ helped it?
Wait a minute! Even Temptation claims to be ’Fiction’. A prominent disclaimer is shown in the beginning to the effect that the story is based on the novel by noted Greek novelist Nikos Kazantzakis, and NOT on the four canonical gospels in the New Testament. In this day we talk of ’Freedom of Expression’ in the Western countries, and our idea of censorship is crowds rioting over publication of Prophet Mohammed cartoons in a Middle-Eastern countries.
But in those days even the great Scorcese had difficulty raising finances to support the project. Robert De Niro, his favorite actor, refused the role of Jesus (for career reasons?). None of the studios stood by him. Several plans for shooting it were drawn and shelved. Finally, he got the budget sanctioned by agreeing to make an outright commercial movie following it. Many theaters refused to screen the movie. Video chain ’Blockbuster’ refused to carry it for several years. It’s still banned in many countries including Singapore.
Even after finding finances, the budget was measly and several improvisations had to be made, like actors doing their own makeup, same five soldiers being shown in different directions to depict hundreds. Since money couldn’t be lavishly spent on costumes, Marty used accents to identify characters ethnic origins ( American for Jews, British for Romans). The budget is mainly responsible for the campy look which might put off some.
Direction by Scorsese is awesome, complemented by Paul Schraders (and Kazantzakis) memorable dialogues, the morrocan beats by Peter Gabriel is hauntingly spiritual. Great acting by Willem Dafoe. Having seen him as Green goblin in SpiderMan I, it was hard to imagine him as Christ. But he does justice to his role through poignant expression of emotions creating tumult in Jesuss’ mind. He is matched perfectly with Barbara Hershey as Mary Magdalene, be it loving Jesus or chastising him for abandoning her, she crawls into the skin of the character. Harvey Keitel also provides a believable performance as Judas ( I was surprised to see that he was nominated for a Razzie for the role!). Cinematography isn’t as great as in ’The Passion of Christ’ (budgetary contraints)
Temptation to Controversy
Jesus story has always been controverial. If ’Last Temptation’ is #6 in the list of all-time most Controverial films, ’The Passion of Christ’ leads at #1 position for anti-semitism ( at least Temptation doesn’t hold Jews or anybody else responsible). Muslims consider him to be a prophet, and Jews a wandering Rabbi. Christians may find others views blaspheming and vice versa.
Coming to the movie, Christians may be troubled by the following depictions that deviate from the gospel. Some may call them heretical and blasphemous.
Jesus and Magdalene not only get married, but also have steaming sex in the dream sequence. Jesus is also shown getting married to Lazarus’ sister (another Mary) and have physical relation with her sister too. He’s shown having enough kids to make a football team.
Judas is shown as a true disciple of Christ. His betrayal is shown as ordained by Jesus and carried by him half-heartedly. It’s Judas who wakes Jesus from the dream. It’s his appearance and rebuke, that wakes Jesus from his reverie.
Before realising his messianic purpose Jesus is shown making crosses and selling them to Romans for crucifying his countrymen (Israelites). Also as a man full of doubts and fears about his own purpose, sometimes even loatheful toward prophets and God himself.
Christ calls Apostle Paul/Saul as a liar for fabricating stories, in his dream. Paul is a very important Apostle with a great contribution to Christian thought. Though not a direct disciple of Jesus, his influence in Gospels is undeniably stronger than the 12 disciples. He’s attributed by theologians for the splitting away of Christianity from Judaism.
Jesus waiting in a long line of eager ’Johns’ to meet Magdalene, watching her satisfy countless patrons as a prosti*ute.
There are also liberal Christians who consider the human treatment of Jesus here as more accessible and easier to identify than Christ as a Superman devoid of all human feelings. According to them, his dream signifies his sense of deep loss and gives meaning to the sacrifice he made to liberate human soul from eternal suffering.
Whatever be the case ’Temptation’ has become my second favorite tale of messianic travails right after Frank Herberts’ scifi classic ’Dune’. A must watch for the spiritually oriented who don’t easily get offended by an alternate version.