Passionless dialogue [Steer clear of ABC's embarrassing, cliche-surfeited 'Judas']

WORLD ^ | 3/6/04 | Andrew Coffin

[Caleb1411]

On March 8, within two weeks of the release of The Passion of the Christ, ABC will air Judas, a made-for-TV movie about the disciple who betrayed Jesus. The latter film will not be served by its proximity to Mel Gibson's work. The effect is tempering: Those who hope the success of The Passion will produce more Hollywood movies examining the life of Christ should have second thoughts after watching the embarrassing Judas. Or, better yet, take the advice of WORLD and don't watch it.

If nothing else, Judas reveals Mel Gibson to be an artistic genius. The two films are a study in contrasts, but it's not worth dwelling on the comparison. Judas employs nearly every cliché that has become synonymous with bad biblical epics (and that Mr. Gibson sought to avoid), from bad hair to bad sets to really, really bad dialogue.

The movie purports to tell the back story of Judas, identified by ABC as "perhaps the most complex character in the Gospels." To do this, the script makes Judas central to almost every event in Christ's adult life. Judas wants an earthly king to overthrow the Romans, becoming a foil for Jesus, who has a more spiritual mission in mind.

Judas begins by stating that "the following film is an interpretative dramatization of Judas's relationship with Jesus." What exactly the film is interpreting is not clear, since it is most certainly not working from the Bible or accepted historic documents, except in rough outline.

Most of the dialogue hovers between the painfully funny and just plain painful. Judas first meets the Messiah after witnessing Jesus clearing the Temple of merchants. Judas, to Jesus, over a cup of wine: "You know, I have to tell you, I was very impressed with what you did at the Temple today." Jesus replies, somewhat chagrined and regretful, "Well, don't be. You know, I was trying to make a point and lost my temper. You can't change a man's heart by yelling at him, by humiliating him, by taking away his livelihood."

Later, Jesus asks Judas to handle His money, saying, "I'm no good with money. Whatever I have, I tend to lose." In another scene, Herod refers to John the Baptist as "a pain in the ass." It's enough to make one long for Aramaic.

The one interesting aspect of the production is that it works overtime to avoid the perceived anti-Semitism of a literal reading of the Gospels, creating a bizarre conspiracy scenario in which Pontius Pilate (Tim Matheson of Animal House fame) orchestrates the events leading up to the crucifixion in order to pin the blame for Christ's death on the Jews.

[Liz]

These Socratic questions that pop up on FR is the main reason why I love this place. LOL.

[Richard Kimball]

Three monkeys, two hours.

[karnage]

I thought about it very carefully. I've known Tim for many years, knew he could do a great job as Pilate, and I believed the audience would be capable of looking past his hilarious performance in ANIMAL HOUSE (which was 25 years ago). I felt that Tim could deliver, and after the audience got over its initial shock, they'd accept him. I think he pulled it off in spades. Watch the film and judge for yourself. It airs Monday, March 8, 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

[EllaMinnow]

This kid is playing Judas:

And this one is playing Jesus:

I wish this was a joke.

[philosofy123]

Herod refers to John the Baptist as "a pain in the ass." It's enough to make one long for Aramaic.

LOL :-)

[steve-b]

In another scene, Herod refers to John the Baptist as "a pain in the ass."

John the Baptist uses more polite language, referring to Herod as "a pain in the neck."

[JustPlainJoe]

Sounds more like an 'Ed Wood' directed version of the story!

I won't watch it, but I bet it'll be HILARIOUS!!!

[Liz]

(Gag) Disney (owner of ABC) in its unmitigated gall has announced that it will take on CS Lewis' Narnia series.

Morons trying to finger-paint a Masterpiece.

[Liz]

You directed this? So then any comments you make in support of it are a clear conflict of interest and must be dismissed as blatant self-interest.

[cyncooper]

Jesus replies, somewhat chagrined and regretful, "Well, don't be. You know, I was trying to make a point and lost my temper. You can't change a man's heart by yelling at him, by humiliating him, by taking away his livelihood."

This alone decides it for me. No way will we watch this drivel.

[Miss Marple]

I am sure Tim did a good job. However, he is unfortunately forever typecast as the person who uttered the words "double secret probation."

I will give it a look to be fair, since you have bravely appeared here to talk about the film. I will give you my honest opinion. And I will try to be open-minded.

[hopespringseternal]

Most of the dialogue hovers between the painfully funny and just plain painful. Judas first meets the Messiah after witnessing Jesus clearing the Temple of merchants. Judas, to Jesus, over a cup of wine: "You know, I have to tell you, I was very impressed with what you did at the Temple today." Jesus replies, somewhat chagrined and regretful, "Well, don't be. You know, I was trying to make a point and lost my temper. You can't change a man's heart by yelling at him, by humiliating him, by taking away his livelihood."

This is about as far from the gospels as you can get. This is soap opera dialog, not Son of God stuff.

[Integrityrocks]

Karnage: If you take your faith seriously, which I won't doubt, how can you work for ABC? They are just shy of the College of the Anti-Christ.

[cyncooper]

I had mentioned on a thread the other day discussing this movie that there was nothing bad in and of itself exploring Judas. I am re-reading the novel "I, Judas" by Taylor Caldwell, myself. BUT, now having seen the snippets of dialogue, especially that attributed to Jesus, I can see that ABC has blown it. BIG TIME.

[Dogbert41]

Wow Karnage, didn't know we had a director in our midst. Kind of disconcerting to be dissembowling a movie I hadn't seen only to have the director show up! I had to run down and tell my wife what an ass I made of myself.

Because you are and have been here so long, are a Catholic and believe in your work, we'll watch it with an open mind. I do apologize for my words too, brother.

[cyncooper]

Thanks for your input.

As I just mentioned, I was actually looking forward to perhaps watching this, but I have to say these representations of the dialgue and the hints at plot points sound silly if not outright offensive.

What's your name?

[cyncooper]

I can't see Jesus in your post.

:0

[cyncooper]

I mean I can't see Judas!

I see a blond kid for Jesus.

[cyncooper]

I've never seen Animal House!

LOL

[hosepipe]

I.E... "Judas needs a little respect" - ABC's idealogues for this Weaslelogue..