Passion’s controversy
by Rawly Bransom
editor-in-chief

   Pain, misery and a faith unrivaled by mankind are the messages Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ has in store for viewers.
   What started off as an obscure independent film to reaffirm one man’s faith, even if he is one of the world’s biggest superstars, has become this year’s media circus.
   The Passion of the Christ, now open nationwide, has become this year’s most controversial film. It is hard to remember a film that has been this talked about in my lifetime.
   Directed by Mel Gibson and written by Benedict Fitzgerald and Mel Gibson, The Passion of the Christ depicts the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ.
   The movie is an epic from start to finish.
   The movie has a feel that it is bigger than just the story being told.
   Every nuisance of the film seethes with what can only be described as Gibson’s passion for making the film.
   James Caviezel, who appeared in The Count of Monte Cristo as well as Highwaymen, stars as Jesus of Nazareth.
   Maia Morgenstern plays Jesus’ mother Mary, Rosalinda Celentano, Satan; Francesco De Vito, the apostle Peter; Hristo Jivkov, the apostle John, and Monica Bellucci, who has also been in the last two Matrix movies as well as Brother-hood of the Wolf, Mary Magdalen.
   The film revolves around the events that lead up to Jesus’ crucifixion.
   Flashbacks throughout the film show many other important biblical moments such as the Sermon on the Mount and the Last Supper.
   From a completely secular point of view, the film is what one would expect of any film directed by Gibson.
   Much of the film had the same tone and style as Braveheart.
   When Caviezel is being tortured, my mind instantly flashed to the scene in Braveheart where Gibson was being tortured to make him repent his beliefs.
   The cinematography and costumes also deserve credit.
   The shots can take a viewer’s breath away, and the costumes and set design can make you truly believe that this is how these events truly happened.
   Gibson has said each costume was researched with historians who specialize in the period to make every detail and every item from armor and weapons to footwear is as true to the period as humanly possible.
   Parents should be aware that this movie is rated R for extremely graphic violence. Pain and misery are a part of this tale, and Gibson almost goes out of his way to show buckets full of blood.
   What would probably have been enough blood for three people poured and was ripped out of Caviezel.
   The film is dubbed in Aramaic and ancient Latin, so the film does contain subtitles.
   However, the actors’ movements are so poignant that language barriers are almost negligent, and the subtitles are usually used only for dialogue that is crucial for understanding the film.
   Whether a believer in Christianity or not, this is a genuinely good film for fans of dramatic films.
   Even those who are not fans of epic dramas should enjoy The Passion of the Christ.
   Yes, the film has a major Christian message, but it also presents a simple tale of a man whose faith was enough to conquer his own fear.