A new movie depicting the life of Jesus Christ
is making waves across the world, smashing many box-office records in the lent
season.
“Son of God”, an epic movie produced by husband-wife
team of Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, tracks
Jesus from His birth through his teachings, crucifixion and resurrection. Downey herself played the
role of Mother Mary in the film. The film which tells the story of Jesus
through the eyes of St. John on the isle of Patmos, has already attracted rave reviews of American
cardinals, bishops and other Christian groups.
There’s an interesting story about the
selection of Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado who plays the role of Jesus. When
Time magazine asked producer Burnett about the selection of a “non-handsome”
Jesus, Burnett said, “When Morgado walked up our garden path, Roma (his wife)
looked out the window and said, ‘That’s him.’ I said, ‘Roma, we haven’t even
met him.’ She said, ‘I prayed to God to let me know him when I see him.’ And
look at the choice the Holy Spirit made.”
The clergy has already endorsed the film. “I have to say, of all the films I’ve seen about Jesus, this is the most moving. The manner in which they portray some of the significant scenes takes on a love and a tenderness and a merciful side of Jesus,” Bishop David Zubik said in a video release.
The clergy has already endorsed the film. “I have to say, of all the films I’ve seen about Jesus, this is the most moving. The manner in which they portray some of the significant scenes takes on a love and a tenderness and a merciful side of Jesus,” Bishop David Zubik said in a video release.
It has also drawn praises from Cardinal Donald
Wuerl of Washington,
D.C, who said the film is “engaging and compelling.”
According to a Catholic News Agency (CNA)
report, Eduardo Verastegui, an executive producer of the movie, the story of
Jesus Christ is “the perfect story, the most beautiful love story of all
times.” Verastegui mentioned the movie’s “beautiful” depiction of the Last
Supper, noting “that’s where the Eucharist was instituted for the first time.”
CNA says, “Verastegui said he has gone to Communion every day for the last 12 years. There is nothing greater on earth than the Holy Eucharist. I go to Mass everyday not because I am a good person, but because I am a weak person and because I need Jesus in my heart.”
CNA says, “Verastegui said he has gone to Communion every day for the last 12 years. There is nothing greater on earth than the Holy Eucharist. I go to Mass everyday not because I am a good person, but because I am a weak person and because I need Jesus in my heart.”
It
quoted Bishop Zubik as saying the film will help Christian viewers to
understand Jesus both as the Son of God and as a human being, and added that
the film will also touch those who are “wavering in faith” or lack faith.
“I can guarantee that once you walk away from viewing this film, not only will your heart be touched, but your soul will stir with faith and gratitude for all that God has done for us in the past and all that he continues to do for us in the present,” the bishop said.
“I can guarantee that once you walk away from viewing this film, not only will your heart be touched, but your soul will stir with faith and gratitude for all that God has done for us in the past and all that he continues to do for us in the present,” the bishop said.
The film’s depiction of the first meeting of
Jesus and Peter, which begins with a focus on Jesus contemplating a rock and
rubbing it in his hands caught everyone’s attention. Many critics were also impressed
by the scene in which Jesus waded out into the water to Peter’s boat – despite
the apostle’s objections – to request his help into the vessel.
The movie’s depiction of the birth of Jesus
was also beautiful. “When the Magi bow down before the infant Jesus, the look
of both surprise and relief in the eyes of both Mary and Joseph really
confirmed the promise that they were both given, a promise that they both
struggled with, that this really was a special gift, that this was the son of
God,” Bishop Zubik said in a video released by Motive Entertainment, a marketer
for the movie.
He says the film brings to the centre of our
attention that Mary and Joseph “like all of us, struggle to really embrace the
promises that God gives us.”
Now critics are waiting to see whether the film, distributed by Twentieth Century Fox, will break the records set by ‘The passion of the Christ’ directed by Hollywood star Mel Gibson.
Now critics are waiting to see whether the film, distributed by Twentieth Century Fox, will break the records set by ‘The passion of the Christ’ directed by Hollywood star Mel Gibson.
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