One FReeper's review of The Passion (Vanity)

25 Feb 04 | TattooedUSAFConservative

[Romish_Papist]

The following is my take after just having seen The Passion of the Christ. Please allow for mistakes in my formatting or placement of this, I've been a lurker for years but have yet to start a thread. If I've done something wrong, my apologies.

[Romish_Papist]

I don't know if I can find words for this. I'm still looking around the room in a sense of... I don't know what. I have never in my life seen anything like this. It's not a film, it transcends the media it was made on. I know this sounds like a jumble of babbling but I've never been so affected by something.

There was a packed house for the 8:00 showing, some brought little children, but throughout the film, I never once heard a peep from them. They were as mesmerized by it as the rest of the theater. I will refrain from posting specific details so as not to ruin the experience for anyone save to say that even where Mel took a bit of license to inject a few sketchy things, it doesn't matter, it truly takes nothing away from the message of the film. I'm a 28 year old guy who has seen what I think (or used to think) are my share of hard times, and I have been confident in my faith, but what I witnessed tonight was eye-opening, almost firghteningly so. I still don't have the words for it. Anti-semitism some think they see in this film is non-existant. It's graphic, very graphic, but it needs to be. You see what true sacrifice is, you see every lash, you see every fall, you see the nails pierce Him. There are images I still see when I close my eyes. Quick flashes I don't think I'll ever forget. I'm sorry but I just can't post movie specifics right now, the effect of the film on me still has not worn off. What I've said thus far may seem like I'm jaded about it, but the truth couldn't be further from that. I'm starting to get my mind around the fact that I am responsible for Christ's necessary suffering. I've known that for what seems like forever but now, after this... That He could love me, and you so much as to endure that... I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

I urge anyone who has the slightest interest in this film to do whatever it takes to get out and see it. Those who have no interest, all I can say is so be it. It's your loss. One thing I can promise you is that you will need tissues. Bring plenty, I didn't bring any, I should have. Don't be surprised if, when the movie ends, people remain in their seats, quiet as the grave.

"No greater love has a man, than he lay down his life for his friends." You will see Him do that for you and it will overwhelm you.

I think I'm done now, I'm sure this will get me some flames from others here, but I had to get these things out there, so mock me if you will, it means nothing compared to what He did for us.

My Lord, my king, my God, forgive me, for I know not what I do.

[hoosiermama]

Thank you for sharing. Am planning on attending Saturday AM.

[JoJo Gunn]

"I'm starting to get my mind around the fact that I am responsible for Christ's necessary suffering."

He didn't suffer for you to feel guilty. That'll only keep you from being closer.

[jigsaw]

I'm sure this will get me some flames from others here

If you get some, just let them warm your heart.   :-)

Thank you for your review. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie in a few days.

[Romish_Papist]

Thank you for your words, but I didn't mean guilt alone. It's more than that that has me so in awe. It's that even though I share in the guilt, He did it for me anyway. I'm try to grasp how anyone could have the propensity, the total selflessness to do that for me. I don't know how to respond other than to try and not start crying like a schoolboy again. I thought I had a pretty good handle on His sacrifice, but after this, my own idea of it falls well short of the mark. I'm just so stunned, again, this is no movie, this is purest love from God Himself.

[wadeintothem]

Your review matches what I've heard.. and I'm fully intent on seeing it this weekend.. this serves the dual purpose of getting reviews like this.

Can I ask you... I need a no BS assessment which Im not sure I get on the news..
would you think its to tough on a sensitive 13 y/o girl? I worried about taking my daughter... I know my son can handle it but what do you think? How did the kids react?

[Romish_Papist]

You know, it was fascinating. No BS, there were a ton of kids there. There was one family with five kids right in front of us, while waiting for the experience to start, they were hyper and noisy but when it began, there was not a sound from anyone in the theater. If your daughter, bless her heart, is a bit sensitive to stuff like this, I would say if you take her, just hold her hand and let her know why it is happening. Let her know you are there with her, and that you, and God are with her in witnessing it every step of the way. That He had her mind when He had these events transpire, in that He did it so that she could be with Him no matter how rough times get, that He did this so that she would NEVER be alone. That with the Resurrection, even death itself cannot stop Him from being with her. In fact, He was so adamant about this last part that He had the events transpire to His only begotten Son, to Himself. I can't get over my awe from this film. Never anything like it, save the actual events of 2000 years ago.

I don't know if that helps at all, but it's all I can say right now, I'm so at a loss to say anything else.

[wadeintothem]

Thank you for taking the time to post the review .. it has been very helpful.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Thankyou for that heartfelt review. Beautiful.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I know you'll probably want to share your thoughts on the film, so a "For your interest" ~~~~ ping! :)

[codyjacksmom]

Well, you picked the right time for your first post. Thank you, and God Bless You!

[texasflower]

Yours is a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings.

[Adder]

"I know this sounds like a jumble of babbling but I've never been so affected by something."
I saw the film last night also and that is exactly how I feel/felt. It is now morning and there are still residual effects. But last night, when we got home, everything was surreal...tv was disgusting, all I wanted to do was think and meditate.
My wife was in tears...crying real sobs...others were also.
I misted up several times.
I've said in my emails to my friends: ignore the savage reviews. They are written to dissuade you from attending this powerful experience. GO SEE IT.
This is not a nice Bible story: its no King of Kings or Jesus of Nazareth...both good films, make no mistake. But this is as good a vision of what probably actually occurred as you will see.
As far as sensitive kids are concerned, I think if they know the story of Christ's Passion, they should be able to deal with it.

But by all means go see it! My brother's church was going and were then going to return to church for communion afterward. Given how this film makes you feel, thats is an excellent idea.

[Guenevere]

Thank-you for your heartfelt review.

We have Bible Study at our home on a weekly basis, and our group is going together to see this next Tuesday night.

[hoosiermama]

Came back this morning to read your review and the comments again. ....If I've done something wrongIMO It's never wrong to share situations regarding your faith.

[SLB]

We saw it at 2:00 yesterday (Feb 25th). Took our two youngest, 12 and 16, they had no problems and there were several much younger in the theater. If parents prepare them I see no problems. I also will not comment on the content. The things that hit us were the lack of trips out of the theater for potty breaks and the way people were slow to exit at the completion. It was almost like the theater management needed to heard us out. As we left the quiet was overwhelming. You could hear a pin drop in the hallway.