Subject: The Passion of Christ------Letter to the Editor
In David Powell's review of "The Passion of the Christ" (Tablet 3-27), he complains about Mel Gibson omitting Jesus & the weeping women, on the road to Calvary; of only one flashback sequence (pre-Passion) involving conflicts between Jesus & religious authorities; of Hollywood special effects & eerie music, etc. Those are his opinions. Understood. World-wide, however, thousands & thousands are praising the "experience" (it's not just a movie), the art, the special effects and the "haunting" music. Powell claims if one had no background in Scripture, one could get confused as to how flashbacks were connected to the central plot. True, but is he suggesting Gibson should have risked more money to include this background? Sorry-----Gibson directed, co-produced & risked millions on this film. All he expects of the viewers is that they read the Gospels. Seems fair. Criticism of the film is one thing, sarcasm another . . . and sarcasm rears its ugly head in Powell's review. He compares the Sanhedrin trial portrayal to a hockey fight. I wonder how many hockey players, having seen the film, share his feelings. He also claims "shock effect" techniques trivialized the movie's profundity. Over $317 Million (in N.America) has been spent by so many to see this film over & over again . . . not counting Euros, Pesos, Rubles, etc.(still to be counted), as the film rounds the world. That wouldn't come from trivializing a movie's profundity. Powell continues "Gibson figured he better throw in a one-minute after-thought to the 13th Station." Did Gibson tell him this? What Gibson "threw in" was $30 Million of his own money to bring the realism of Our Lord's Suffering home to many . . . and he did! Also, Powell sarcastically refers to the movie ending as "Gibson's attempt at portraying "what was that you say", oh yes, Resurrection." He forgets that Gibson's emphasis is noted in the film's title-----'The Passion of the Christ." Earlier, Powell lamented the absence of showing pre-Passion conflicts with religious authorities. Now he reverses himself, criticizing Gibson for moving post-Passion, from the Cross to the Crypt. Hollywood & others originally believed the movie would be a disaster. Now, with its great success, they say Gibson used God for profit. I believe they have that backwards. I believe that God has used Gibson for profit.
David Powell, is the director of religious education at St.Agnes parish, Cobble Hill.