CHRIST COMPLEX - Interview with actor Jim Caviezel

Globe and Mail | December 27, 2002 | Gayle MacDonald

[montag813]

This will be the greatest movie of all time -- both spiritually and artistically -- if they can succeed in what they're attempting.

All previous attempts to portray "the greatest story ever told" have been disappointments in one way or another. If he can pull this off there is no question it will be the most important film ever made.

[Petronski]

You wouldn't happen to work for the New York Times, would you?

[Skooz]

I will be glad to spend my dollars to take my family to see this movie.

Hear that, Hollywood?????

[Petronski]

Someone as conservative as Gibson might very well be in schism with the American Catholic Church, but he is completely in line with Rome, rest assured.

[Petronski]

he is completely in line with Rome

I meant to say 'he is completely in line with the Pope;' two statements which sadly are not always the same.

[matthew_the_brain]

Of course Gibson is in line with the Holy See. This movie is bound to be a classic, and I expect it to be a part of the turning tide and demise of the American Liberals who are now in charge of most dioceses in the US.

This film will win countless converts from Protestantism as well.....it is about time, we need more Cardinal Newman, Robert Benson and Von Hildebrand type of Catholic apologists.

[Green Knight]

Jesus/Gibson/Caviezel Ping.

Or they fall on their knees at his feet, lay their hands on him, and chant, "Jesu! Jesu!"

Heh. That reminds me of a story I heard Charlton Heston tell, once. That when he was doing The Ten Commandments and he was walking by the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt, that the local extras that they hired to play the Israelites started whispering the native version of "Moses" in their language. Pretty cool.

[It's me]

Question about Mel's beliefs. I've read conflicting reports, one that he's a schismatic Traditionalist type, thinks Vatican II is illegitimate and the Pope illegitimate as well, the other, that he's just a more Traditional, yet orthodox Catholic. This article seems to support the latter view, since he consulted the Vatican on the film. Anyone know?

Seems that his dad is the schismatic and that's part of the reason he went to Austrailia. Gibson is an orthodox Catholic. He apparently brought his daughter to visit Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio a few months ago. If he was a schismatic he certainly wouldn't have considered Franciscan University. (This is the daughter who is interested in becoming a nun. --Which he is very happy about, I might add.)

[LurkerNoMore!]

Here is that article

[Registered]

Great thread here.

[Oberon]

This is a very disturbing report. I'm really disappointed in Mel Gibson, who is the producer. Couldn't he have found a warmer climate for Caviezel to do his difficult outdoor scenes in? Mel Gibson loses several points for this. I hope I never forget how poorly he treats his fellow actors.

What, you think Gibson owns him? He's there voluntarily. Nobody's twisting his arm. In fact, it's likely he's getting a good paycheck for his discomfort.

That's the way capitalist societies work... individuals willingly exchange goods and services as they see fit, to their mutual profit. Gibson would only be worthy of your ire if he were a feudal lord, and Caviezel were his serf and had no choice, the way they do it in socialist countries.

The sooner you shed this socialist way of thinking, the better-off you'll be.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

Thanks for the ping! You know what I'm about to say...

Don't you dare think of seeing this one without me. :)

[Possenti]

I was wondering the same thing.

I actually heard Rush Limbaugh mention that it did "touch" on the resurrection near the end of the film. BTW - he got to preview it also and he gave it a VERY good review.

[Possenti]

LOL!

Take a Bible.

[woofie]

In Hollywood, Caviezel is known as Gentleman Jim. The devout Catholic and devoted husband to his schoolteacher wife, Kerri, politely refused to do a love scene with Jennifer Lopez in last year's Angel Eyes, until she covered those famous breasts.

If I was gonna get crucified Id at least want to see those breasts first (and in person)

[kstewskis]

Wouldn't it have been more sensible to do those difficult scenes in a warmer climate? Mel Gibson, as the producer, had a responsibility to see that the working conditions were better. Was it all just to save a few bucks? They could have done those outdoor scenes ANYWHERE.

Mel specifically chose that location, not only for it's resemblence of Jeruselem, but the particular lighting in that time of year. It could not be shot just anywhere.. Chirst in the Virgin Islands just wouldn't have cut it.

They brought in the heaters for him, Jim also was outfitted with a long down jacket to wear between takes (not mentioned in this interview, but there are publicity photos).

Too bad Mel didn't have a special phone line into the local weather guy to turn down the wind to knock off the wind chill in December. /sarcasm

Did you miss the part where Mel called Jim back the next day (after agreeing to take the part) and tried to talk him out if it? About how difficult the part was going to be?

Gibson did not hold a gun to Caviezel's head to do this role. Had you heard the EWTN interview that Caviezel did a few months back, you would've understood where Jim was coming from when he describes his "sufferings."

Jim takes it spiritually, and with a deeper understanding of what Jesus went through.

You've obviously never been around a movie set. It isn't all plush surroundings. Gibson and Caviezel obviously have an excellent working relationship, and much respect for each other. Jim is a big boy, and could take care of himself.

As for you blaming Mel about his "treatment" of his actors, get off it. If I were you, I'd be a little more discriminating about outragous comments like "to save a few bucks" when it comes to making a movie . You shell out the $25 million and then look after your actors in the best way you possibly can.

[kstewskis]

Some of these entertainers, with only high school educations, fancy themselves as great strategic thinkers and want to administer our national defense policy... among other things.

Perhaps Mr. Gibson will prove me wrong this time...I hope so.

Consider Gibson in the top 1%.

He was educated and graduated college in Australia. He has not publically made a complete ass out of himself (unlike many of his Hollywierd counterparts) spouting the socialistic mantra of the radical left, suggesting to the country just how we should run our national defense.

He keeps to himself, and makes pictures.

And if you have any doubts about his convictions (lib. vs. conservative), the fact that he spent over 6 hours at Rush Limbaugh's house, showing him "The Passion" and shooting pool afterwards, might show you that he marches to a differnt drum than his Hollyweird cohorts.

Thank God.

[kstewskis]

Anne Catherine Emmerich bump! Great reference. But it's a bit much to try to read on-line. And it would be a lot cheaper and better to buy the book than to try to print all the pages. Here's a link to TAN books which publishes Anne Catherine Emmerich's works. TAN is a wonderful Catholic publishing house which has a phenomenal selection of classic works by the great saints at very reasonable prices.

I just finished her book, "The Delorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ."

All I can say, is....wow.

Well worth the read. Sit down in a quite place and really absorb it. You're right, it's much too hard to read on a computer. Besides, you might not be able to read it all at once...even though part of you doesn't want to set it down.

[kstewskis]

How will I know what they're saying if they won't use subtitles?

The book is already out. ;)

[kstewskis]

re: Gibson has a private chapel at his home in Malibu, California, at which the service is conducted every Sunday in Latin. )))

Hmmm...does he have subtitles?

LOL! Perhaps a Pre VatII missal for guests? ;)