The Last Temptation of Christ
THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (18)
D: Martin Scorsese
Universal/Cineplex Odeon (Barbara de Fina)
US/Canada 1988
164 mins
Religious/Historical
W: Paul Schrader [based on the novel by Nikos
Kazantzakis]
DP: Michael Ballhaus
Ed: Thelma Schoonmaker
Mus: Peter Gabriel
PD: John Beard
Willem Dafoe (Jesus Christ), Harvey Keitel (Judas Iscariot),
Barbara Hershey (Mary Magdalene), Harry Dean Stanton (Saul), David Bowie (Pontius Pilate), Verna Bloom (Mary)
Considered blasphemous on its original release by religious
groups, Martin Scorcese's biblical fiction presents a good, albeit controversial view of what may have happened had the religious figure survived his crucifixion and lived on to
marry.
Willem Dafoe's performance as Jesus Christ is very good, but
other performances are quite weak, especially (and surprisingly) Harvey Keitel.
Clearly, this won't be a film for everyone, and has to be
viewed with a very open mind. Martin Scorsese's direction is meticulous and Peter Gabriel's music score is excellent.
8/10
