THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (includes trailer)
September 27th 2010 23:07
The Last Temptation Of Christ - directed by Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese, director of films as varied as Raging Bull, GoodFellas and Shutter Island has spent his life courting films filled with religious undertones and violent imagery, as a result this was bound to attract controversy when he finally pushed the boundaries of his own themes.
Through out his career he made several attempts to find financing for various projects that would fall through, but certainly one of his most hotly debated films ever released was The Last Temptation Of Christ, a film he was deeply passionate about making, was finally produced during his most fertile period of creativity. The Last Temptation Of Christ is Martin Scorsese's most fascinating film and the level of craft applied to the film creates a case for one of his best films ever made and the different angle it apporaches it's subject matter with creates something astonishing, unique and bold.
The Last Temptation Of Christ is essentially fiction, based on the book by Nikos Kazantzakis. It states at the beginning that this is not based upon the gospels but instead the eternal conflict of the human spirit. The film however still has all the same events and people with in the writings of the gospels, playing out like an alternate history, meditating on the spiritual plight that burns with in him. Tormented by the temptations of demons, the guilt of making crosses for the Romans, pity for men and the world, and the constant call of God, we meet a man who's ultimate struggle is simply being a decent man. Jesus is revealed to us simply as a mere man, someone who looks to transcend his own levels of love and devotion but is cornered by his own ego.
Jesus of Nazareth is a carpenter who is being burdened at once by the voice of the Devil and also by that of God. He sets upon to explore the depths of his beliefs. Jesus, played in an astonishing performance by Willem Dafoe (Wild At Heart, Antichrist), starts out as a confused, timid man as he goes through some changes of heart, morphing his belief and faith, he remains at his very core a man, nothing more, nothing less. What runs through as a constant theme in The Last Temptation Of Christ is probably one of the most pure examinations of a man. His inner conflicts remain thoroughly tangible throughout the film and the balance between the struggle for the soul and the pleasures of the flesh are all executed with a level of artistry that is humbling.
As a non-christian I was amazed at how absorbed I was by the film, it's dichotomy in rocking in between the facts and the fiction, recreate the figure of Jesus as an everyman. Filled with masterful, searing visuals, The Last Temptation Of Christ is brimming with passionate energy, wit and constantly intriguing versions of inner and outer conflict. The director, cinematographer; Michael Ballhaus, editor; Thelma Schoonmaker and composer; Peter Gabriel, carve out a masterful motion picture that marries inspired story telling and technical wizardry with fiery themes of the soul. All the elements are perfectly in place here, Scorsese and Ballhaus have rarely been better in using the camera, the level of film making here is really remarkable, passionate yet restrained and economical.
The Last Temptation Of Christ portrays a man filled with flaws, constantly having to revise his personality and beliefs as he struggles towards growth. Through out this journey we become attached to him personally, like one of his followers. I can’t speak for the book by Kazantzakis itself as I havn't read it (and have no desire to), but I can say that Scorsese does a sublime job of creating a tender yet fierce portrait of a conflicted man, conflicted in everyway. Jesus constantly questions his path and his choices as he pushed and pulled between alternating beliefs, philosophies and drama.
The Last Temptation Of Christ is a great film for the simple reason that you don’t have to be of a particular faith to appreciate it. It gives you a series of open ended questions to ponder over the course of events that shaped a great prophet - or simply a mere man. Whether you as a viewer are a staunch Christian or whether you choose to use him as a character to serve the story's purpose.
Willem Dafoe fits into this role beautifully, he wonderfully demonstrates the inner struggle and burden of a man trying to do good but filled with urges that push him in conflicting directions, giving a soulful, career defining performance. Other cast members include Harvey Kietel (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction) , playing Judas, and you can't help but wonder if he perhaps thought he was acting in a Lee Marvin film at the time. While Keitel’s acting seems out of place in the film, Barbara Hershey who plays Mary Magdelene isn’t - in fact her performance is effortless. The scene stealer in this 2 and ½ hour epic however is Harry Dean Stanton (Repo Man, Alien, Paris Texas) and while Stanton doesn’t have a lot of screen time, he gives a virtuosic performance, in fact it’s the best thing you’ll probably find this side of Dennis Hopper’s ‘Apocalypse Now' monologue. Also in the mix is David Bowie (The Prestige, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence) who as always gives a fine performance.
David Bowie in a brief scene
The mentioning of some of these characters in the film bring up some of the film’s controversial qualities, one of the main one’s being how it changes the context of these events regarding the life of Jesus, and how these people fit into the scheme of things. I’m not going to try to encourage anyone who would be offended by that to watch or not watch the film but all these slightly left of centre, contentious changes are never used for shock value or without controlled narrative purpose, in fact the path that this film takes heads towards a surprisingly moving, unusual and elating third act.
Scorsese, who is known to be a dynamic and visceral film maker, resists his usual urges to let his story telling style over ride the story itself. The camera never moves for the sake of it in this film and he saves any overly fancy camera work and editing for some of the brief and beautiful visual flourishes which happen in the film. The most memorable element of The Last Temptation Of Christ is the musical score by Peter Gabriel, which by the way I highly recommend. The score gives a pitch perfect addition to some of the films evocative imagery.
All the faults of a man: feeling cocky after turning water into wine
I was surprised by all that The Last Temptation Of Christ had to offer, Scorsese’s belief and passion for the faith and power that religion can bring for people comes through so strongly, for all of man’s mistakes and missteps it reminds us of the fundamental need many of us have for guidance and purity and man’s need, in spite of his faults, to attain a goodness in ourselves and others.
The Last Temptation Of Christ will leave you with a lot to think about.
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Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I'm surprised this one is overlooked by many, it is a great Scorsese film that offers unique perspective.
As an atheist I found this to be a moving study of a tender man in a harsh time. That it deals with such a profoundly influential story and has the courage to offer an alternate view is enough to make it must see.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Would make a great double feature with The Passion of the Christ
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
John Doe - it definitely is a moving, must see. It actually can be interpreted on level the audience pleases I suppose. I was actually watching some footage of the protests when this film came out and it's amazing what was coming out of some of their muths, especially from those who hadnt even seen the film
Bryn - I know what you mean about the familiar faces, but it probably helped financing, personally I dont have a problem with it but Keitel seems out of his element here. Agree about Gabriels score, it's my favourite score of all time.
David - you havn't seen this? It's a good one. If you believe that you wouldn't be offended by it (saying this based on the fact that I know nothing about you basically) and your cool with the tampering of the bible then run to see it, dont walk, it's one of Scorsese's best in my opinion. also Gabriels score will blow your mind - my own personal favourite film score ever.
thnaks for reading all
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I was only referring to historical accounts not specific details. But it was a moving film, I agree.
I do remember all the protests BTW as if it were yesterday and most of it had to do with the "sex scene" between Jesus and Mary (even though it was a dream) and quite a legitimate assumption.
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
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Stay healthy and loose weight
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
And directed by Spike Lee.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Jamie Foxx
Chris Tucker as Judas would be priceless.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Dave Chappelle as Jesus H. Christ. "I'm Hey-Zeus, beeeatch!"
And that's my last word on the subject.