[BibChr]

For me the amazing thing is that the film is so Marian. But I think the way the film displays her has been kind of an eye opener for evangelicals who don't usually look at that aspect. They understand the reality of a mother and a son.

Gre-e-e-e-eat.

Dan

[Dataman]

Gre-e-e-e-eat.

I'll let you know. I've got tickets for tomorrow. Funny the evangelicals who saw the previews didn't bring up that aspect.

BTW, Mary and John stayed with Jesus to the end. That in itself is noteworthy since the rest of the brave hid under the bed.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

For me the amazing thing is that the film is so Marian. But I think the way the film displays her has been kind of an eye opener for evangelicals who don't usually look at that aspect. They understand the reality of a mother and a son. ~~ Gre-e-e-e-eat. Dan

I think it's gonna be okay, Dan. Mel might see more the film as more "Marian" in his own eyes, than a Reformed Protestant will see it.

At least, that's this Reformed Protestant's opinion (some excerpts):

A concern of some Protestants regards the Roman Catholic theology of Mel Gibson, the producer and passion behind Passion. I don’t know Mr. Gibson personally, so I can’t speak for him; but as a Protestant Christian, I can say that if there is any Roman influence on the film, it is negligible to the point of irrelevance.

Even the sensitive and loving portrait of Mary in the movie does not seem to elevate her to the position of "co-mediatrix". I watched for this exaltation, but was pleasantly relieved. If anything, Mary’s part in the story is a welcomed corrective to the Protestant pendulum swing of downplaying the mother of Jesus. She is shown as a loving mother with a young adult Jesus who teases her affectionately. No "Queen of Heaven" there, just a good mom. She is shown racked with spiritual anguish -- "pierced in her own soul" (Luke 2:35) -- at every beating of Jesus. And whose mother would not vicariously experience the punishment of her son? She wipes His blood off the ground in an irrational reaction of helplessness. I know my mother would. There is a beautiful scene where Mary watches Christ fall on the Via Dolorosa, and cannot help Him, but in her mind remembers Him as a little child falling, and herself running to His aid. Very moving, very real, and very much like my mom.

...But this is in no way merely another telling of the greatest story ever re-hashed. It is an experiential exploration of the meaning of sacrificial substitutionary atonement like no other Jesus movie has ever depicted. Oh sure, most movies about Christ have covered the injustice, beatings, and crucifixion of our Lord and Savior -- some of them, better than others -- but never like this.

All other Jesus movies are revisionist candy-coated schmaltz compared to this one.

-- Brian Godawa, Screenwriter, Reviewer, and Calvinist

And considering I've had more than a couple Roman Catholics on this forum ask me whether or not is was really theologically necessary for Jesus Christ to Die to provide the atonement, when Godawa says "It is an experiential exploration of the meaning of sacrificial substitutionary atonement like no other Jesus movie has ever depicted" -- Hey, I sincerely hope he's right.

best, OP