Replies

Bonfire, #468: [E]veryone in the theater, even though they were with someone else, was totally ALONE.

I felt exactly that. I think I felt hot, but I couldn't remove my jacket, because I felt cold at the same time. I was moved to tears several times, which is rare for me. I would start suddenly, then stop almost as suddenly. And what I sensed is that different people were moved at different times in the movie. The different experiences were what made it private. Everyone's tears were his own, a reaction to something that led to introspection.

Liz, #404: "The story is universal and is meant to mirror humanity."
PleaseNoMore, #399: "I also noticed that no one looked anyone in the eye. Each person was internalizing what they had just experienced."
SoDak, #424: "Neither of us could even talk about it afterwards...I'm amazed, numb, sorrowful, and kind of elated."

Liz, the word "mirror" says a lot because the experience of the Gospel as depicted in the movie is so personal. Maybe that's why so many are describing being unable to carry a conversation afterwards. People feel stunned, numb, maybe even physically sick. But underlying it is the sense of "elation" or hopefulness. Some have said the movie ends too abruptly. I think that's what Gibson intended. We don't need to see the extended reactions of all the characters (we sympathize with the "good" and "bad" both) because ultimately the viewer's personal reaction is the one that endures. An inability to internalize is what prevents some from experiencing the fullness of the message.

Yeah. We got there a bit late and, while we had seats, we had to sit separately. The young couple next to me started out as young couples always do, hanging onto each other and playfully patting each other's legs and thighs. By the time the movie was well started, they were sitting upright, hands in their laps and totally focused on the screen. When the credits began to roll, it was as if they didn't even know each other.

I'd heard that the film was too violent for some and that an occasional viewer might be expected to leave rather than sit through the whole movie. Except for myself, I didn't see a single person leave until the lights came on. I'm old and kinda gimpy, so I had to get a head-start to get out of there before the rush--- which never happened.

There was a group from a local Evangelical/Pentacostal Church waiting outside to hand out flyers to exiting patrons. I knew several of them since my daughter had gone to their Church for awhile. They couldn't understand why there wasn't a huge crush of people leaving the theater as is the case after ordinary shows. I told them, "Go see the movie, then you'll understand."