I prepared myself to view the new film The Passion of The Christ with the purpose to summarize the film as a cinematic achievement, barring my religious bias and holding all other beliefs of faith in close regard. Before the viewing, I convinced myself that as my first official film review, I would experience the film through the eyes of an experienced film critic, priding myself on my keen personal tastes in cinema, rather than the eyes of the Roman Catholic Christian believer that I was raised as.

Within the first twenty minutes of the film, which was directed, produced, and co-written by famed actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson, I soon found myself unable to carry out my preparations as I had foreseen them. For this, I must apologize to the editors and readers of Rush Magazine for failing in my quest of impartiality.

However, the film itself achieves far more cinematically than the majority of films that I have seen in the past fifteen years. Watching the tale unfold on screen, there appears to be no better actor suited to fulfill the difficult role of Jesus Christ than Jim Caviezel, as he seems to possess a talent unlike many others in identifying with the character of the Christian messiah. Caviezel’s performance staggers the viewers and empowers them. His portrayal of the Son of God so astounds the observer, that he or she is taken aback not only by his resemblance to the Christ, but also by the demeanor and method Caviezel uses to capture the spirit and message of the role. Not only is this the best performance by Caviezel to date, but it just might be the role that defines the actor in his career.

From a cinematography standpoint, the film is genuine and beautiful. The camera work is by far the best Gibson has fashioned in his career, which is nary an easy feat considering his masterful work with Braveheart. The authenticity of the spiritual meaning is not lost in the brutality of the film, which many critics may have suggested. However, the brutality only adds to the authenticity, opposing the previous airbrushing tactics done by production companies concerning Jesus Christ films of the past. Gibson has truly captured the essence of hatred, faith, love, and sacrificial spirituality with this film.

The wardrobe and costume design is also authentic and convincing, accurately depicting the era and geography in which the story takes place. By looking at the film in its historical aspect, the viewer is captured by the sheer honesty and realism of it.

The film has garnered much controversy and religious outcry from various devout denominations throughout the world, and critics have also lambasted its portrayal of grotesque violence. I refuse to dwell here on the religious and historical accuracy of the film, but I will comment on the predominant violence occurring all through it. I believe that Gibson was attempting to portray his vision as accurately and realistically as he possibly could, and I also believe that he succeeded in doing this. This film is about suffering, and pain, and sacrifice, and in reality, none of that is attractive or easy to see. In order for there to be true sacrifice in this world, there must be bloodshed and despair.

I walked away from this film with much more than I had expected to. The picture evokes pain and thought; it invokes graciousness and inspiration. There is far more to The Passion than just religion or blood, and each person that has seen the movie is aware of its powerful message. So, my first official film review now in the archives, take my word of recommendation and go see The Passion, regardless of your spiritual beliefs. Everyone walks away from the viewing with something different, something personal that was not present when they walked in.