Scorsese's "Last Temptation of Christ"

[scottcsmith]

I saw this film when it debuted in 1988. I was 20, and I remember liking the movie. Having seen Gibson's The Passion and not liking it very much, I decided to watch "Temptation" again, 15 years later.

So far I've watched the first hour. And I'm not liking it. Come on, Marty, Harvey Keitel as Judas? And with a friggin' Brooklyn accent? What were you thinking? Dafoe's Jesus is a pathetic, sniveling, whining nobody. I know, the film isn't based on the Bible, but still...listening to Harvey Keitel speak makes me cringe, and it's hard for me to suspend my disbelief. Everyone in the film speaks modern-day English.

On the plus side, the music of Peter Gabriel is amazing, as is the cinematography. The scenery looks authentic, the costumes look authentic, and the Jews (so far) have been portrayed, for the most part, in a positive manner. Roman punishment of Jews is put into some context, in that many were arrested for acts of sedition. History shows Pontius Pilate to be a ruler who was almost paranoid about uprisings of his subjects, so it makes sense that anyone accused of leading an uprising would be punished.

I still have a couple of hours to go. Here's hoping it gets better.

[regnaD kciN]

1. Read the book!

Kazantzakis's novel is far superior to the movie.

[CanuckAmok]

2. I always thought Keitel's Judas could have used a dash of...

...his Bad Lieutenant character:

"WEEEEEEEE...MMMMMMMMMM...Where were you...you rat FUCK...WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU?! MMMMMMMMM...FUCK....FUCK YOU.....EEEEEEEEEEEE.....YOU RAT FUCKER..."

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. I have similar feelings

Harvey Keitel in a red wig---eek!

The whole bit about the relationship with Mary Magdalene didn't shock this Episcopalian in the least, but I take issue with Willem Dafoe's portrayal of Jesus.

He looks like a Sunday School pamphlet Jesus, but his characterization is one of Jesus as Laid Back Dude.

To win followers and to be remembered, Jesus would have to have been a charismatic figure with a compelling presence. This doesn't necessarily mean fiery oratory, but it does mean having personal magnetism of some sort. That was completely absent from Dafoe's portrayal.

[mitchum]

4. Agree with you...

Gabriel's score is stunning. The rest of the movie is just another bad Bible movie.

[FloridaJudy]

5. Kudos for getting the history right...

Pilate was such raving sadist that he appalled even Tiberius - not the most enlightened of the Caesars.

But as for the casting: what was Scorsese thinking? Willum Dafoe was way more believable as an Angelfish than as the Messiah.

Personally, I'd like to see someone do this over with a decent cast. My choice for the title role would be Daniel Day Lewis. I can't think of many other young actors with the gravitas to pull it off.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

6. -sigh- I liked it and thought the casting was creative.

Keitel's bullying strong arm Judas was an interesting take on the character.

But, then again, I liked Ed Wood as well. :hi: