"The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988)
A Film Review by Jason Wallis
"The Last Temptation of Christ" * * * * Starring Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, Harry Dean Stanton, David Bowie, Verna Bloom, Andre Gregory, Juliette Caton, Roberts Blossom, Irvin Kershner, Nehemiah Persoff and Barry Miller Directed by Martin Scorsese
It is very rare that a film comes along and transends the way we look at someone or something. A film that actually has the power to change the way someone thinks. Martin Scorsese's epic masterpiece "The Last Temptation of Christ" does just that. Watching it, you can feel that you are in the presence of true genius and are viewing one of the most remarkable films of our time.
And I know what you're all thinking: is Scorsese really the right guy to direct a film of this nature? I was thinking precisely the same thing. Actually, he is the only one that could pull it off without seeming preachy or making the movie contrived. When you see the movie, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. No other director (that I'm familiar with, anyway) could have put as much thought or passion into this film as Scorsese has. As any true Marty fan knows, he grew up with dreams of becoming a priest. Fortunantly, he became a filmmaker instead but, with this, has made up for not becoming a man of the cloth as he has intended. He has made barnone the greatest religious or biblical movie of all time.
Another aspect I wanted to tackle right off the bat is the argument that this film is blasphomy. Being based on Nikos Kazantzakis' novel, it has actually succeeded in becoming even more controversial that the material from which it was based. The thing is this: in a scene late in the film, there is a sexual encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdeline. Blasphomy, right? The hook: it is not taking place in reality. It's all part of an elaborate trick being played on Jesus by Satan, who is tempting him by showing what his life probably would have been like if he had been born a mortal man. Now, being the strict Christian that I am, if Scorsese had shown this in any other light, I would not be recommending this film to the extent that I am. But he is doing it to prove a point. It is, ultimently, the last temptation of Christ. Satan is preying on him when he is at his weakest; dying on the cross.
Now that those two points are out of the way, I can discuss the film. Like I said, a movie of this power and beauty comes along once in a blue moon. As I hope you have already guessed, it tells the story of Jesus Christ, who we all have been brought up to believe was a purely perfect man that did not possess any of the human qualities that every man has; such as fear, longing, anger, etc. If you say he had these qualities, just like anyone else does, that is considered a sin. Why? If he was born a man, then why shouldn't he be born with at least some of the emotional qualities that all people have? And if he was purely perfect, then how could he have been tempted for forty days and forty nights in the desert? God forgive me if I'm wrong, but maybe Jesus, despite popular opinion, did have his faults and emotions as any other person has.
Don't get me wrong here; I am a Christian and I do believe that Jesus was a divine human being and the son of God. So I don't want hate-mail from all you devout Christians out there who may be reading this (what am I saying; hardly anyone reads this, let alone devout Christians). Just wanted to get that point across.
I'm going to be redundant here and mention again that Scorsese was the only person who could have directed this movie. He adds just the touch to every scene. For instance, when Jesus trashes the temple, turning tables up and whatnot, you can see the intensity. I don't know how else to describe it. You can just feel it. Not just at that part, either. The night that Jesus is to be captured, he goes to pray in the forest. Marty adds exactly the right amount of sentimentality to the characters that it evokes certain emotions that very few films can make come out.
I guess that's also thanks to the wonderful performances throughout the movie. Willem Dafoe is the perfect Christ, and Barbara Hershey makes and wonderful Mary. But then there's the roles of Judas and Sal (Harvey Keitel and Harry Dean Stanton, respectivly). I mean, they're great in they're roles and all, but I just think they should have switched parts. It's obvious that Judas was a very guilt-ridden man and that Sal was very intense and pronounced. Now, does Keitel look guilt-ridden? Does Stanton look intense? Hell no. They really aren't fit for their roles, but they do a pretty good job anyway.
There's really not a whole lot to say about the story. We all know it by now. We've all been taught about the disciples and the last supper and all that. But Scorsese has put a completely different spin on what has been generally regarded as the greatest story ever told. And in every scene, you can see that special touch that only Marty can do.
"The Last Temptation of Christ" belongs up there with the director's other efforts, including the brilliant "Raging Bull" or "GoodFellas". And I can only hope that those who have so blindly dismissed it as blasphomy will give it another look.
Check out Jason Wallis' Filmaholics Anonymous web page at http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Boulevard/7475
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