`The Passion' soars beyond $200 million in second weekend to remain top film

AP (Houston Chronicle) ^ | 3-8-04

[Conspiracy Guy]

One would think so!

CG

[cyncooper]

My husband, daughter and I went to see it yesterday as well.

This is not a movie, it is an experience. The woman playing Mary (Maia Morgenstern) just ripped my heart out. I cannot remember ever seeing a movie, where at the end of it, I didn't want to get up out of my seat. I felt, I don't know, stunned(?).

Our daughter is only 10, so she did not go with us, but otherwise our experience was just as yours. We sat in our seats until the credits had all completely rolled by. We spoke very little on the way home--but did just a bit later, mostly I shared with my husband some of the discussions I had seen posted on FR, about the "baby" Satan was holding and that kind of thing.

So very powerful. I thought I knew the clip of Mary seeing her very young son falling, and I'd seen freepers say how they'd wept at that part. Well, I'd only seen a portion of the entire scene in the online trailer and I probably cried (not sobbed, but more than teary-eyed) hardest at that entire part--culminating in her running up to him getting back up and taking up the cross and saying "See mother? I make all things new again".

There is much to ponder and absorb regarding this movie and Scripture.

[xsmommy]

my husband, 15 1/2 year old daughter and i saw it last weekend, and it was virtually the same as you both describe. We sat through every last credit as they began sweeping and cleaning the theater around us, we were totally immobilized. i thought, as i was seeing it, this is not nearly as bad, violence-wise, as i feared and was wondering if i was some horribly callous person, til my daughter verbalized the exact same sentiments when we were home after awhile. Also, cyn, she and i both cried/sobbed the hardest at the scenes with Mary. That MOTHER aspect to me was absolutely heartbreaking. The scene of the child Jesus falling juxtapositioned with him carrying the cross was just amazing.

[cyncooper]

And all of the flashbacks were brilliantly interspersed throughout.

Just when I focus on one aspect, I recall another and think how profound it was.

I had not thought much about the language before, just knew I wanted to see this movie, but it is amazing how the language/subtitles convey the movie so clearly and add to, not detract from, the portrayal.

[xsmommy]

i definitely thought the language added to it. i would like to see it again because i know i missed things the first time through. one in particular being the nailholes in the risen Christ's hands at the end. i totally didn't see them, and my daughter and husband both commented on them.

[cyncooper]

Oh, I saw them, but it is really an "if you blink you miss it" glimpse.

[Varda]

Revised estimate is $53.1m with a drop of only 36%. Spectacular!

[SkyPilot]

Thanks...

[LibertarianLiz]

I shared with my husband some of the discussions I had seen posted on FR, about the "baby" Satan was holding and that kind of thing.

I guess I must have missed that particular thread (there have been so many). That scene has mystified me. Could you give me a "Reader's Digest" version of the opinions from fellow Freepers, or point me to the particular thread? I came up with some personal explanation, but am unsure if I'm on the right track and would appreciate other pov's. (My husband felt that the whole "Satan" character was unnecessary and distracting. I wouldn't go that far, but the baby satan did throw me.)

[LibertarianLiz]

That MOTHER aspect to me was absolutely heartbreaking

I agree wholeheartedly. The scene that seems to be sticking with me the most today, was the scene of "normality" between Jesus and Mary when he was making the table. But the flashback to Jesus falling as a child and then as he was carrying the cross really affected me.

[AFPhys]

1. The Passion of the Christ, $51.4 million. (Waiting for the crowds to die down a bit)

I think that many, many people are still lurking in the wings for friends who have viewed it to recommend it. I'll be quite surprised if Holy Week is not a higher box office than the second week for this film.

[cyncooper]

I thought the Satan figure was necessary. Right from the start it harks right back to the Garden of Eden. Also in Scripture Satan tempts Jesus so I felt this was a way for Gibson to include that account by showing Satan present as Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane and reminds us that Satan was squarely against Jesus and stands between us and God.

Anyway, Freeper Reader's Digest is that the figure Satan is shown holding may have been a mocking of the portrayal of Madonna and Child. Also some thought it might be the anti-Christ or Satan's spawn. I believe Mel Gibson said it represented Satan holding sin---but I honestly can't recall because I was partial to the mocking of Madonna and Child symbolism.

[LibertarianLiz]

I was partial to the mocking of Madonna and Child symbolism.

That is an interesting take. I was left with the impression that it was almost another temptation. See, I would never do this to my child, what loving father would allow their child to be so tortured. That kind of thing. But, considering it was Satan, "mocking" would fit his m.o.