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Personally, I thought the portrayal of Mary, while not ideal, was good. The young lady who played the part was beautiful and completely sympathetic. She was submissive to her parents even though she didn't necessarily agree with what they had in mind for her. I don't think it's tenable to believe that Mary was serene and calm throughout her entire life. Though sinless, she certainly experienced conflicts with those who were not, felt righteous anger, sadness, and joy. She is, after all, human.

Especially compelling for me was the scene where Mary returns home from visiting Elizabeth and it's very obvious that she's pregnant. Yet, because of her innocence and faith, she seems to feel no shame or humiliation when the community shuns her for an offense that could have led to her death. Nor does she show any fear of her parents when they don't believe her, initially, that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

The labor-pains scene was really the only one where my wife and I both thought the movie could have been better informed, theologically. Otherwise, we both thought the movie was simply beautiful. My wife cried at least four or five times, if that tells you anything.

Dear Antoninus,

Do you think this movie is appropriate for pre-teen young men? My wife is thinking of taking our guys, ages 9 and 12, to see it. They know the very basics about the birds and the bees, how babies are born, etc.

sitetest

Though sinless, she certainly experienced conflicts with those who were not, felt righteous anger, sadness, and joy. She is, after all, human.

According to Romans 3:23, Mary was not sinless.

Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Yes, she was human, which indicates that she was indeed a sinner, as are/were all humans, with the exception of Jesus Christ.