The Last Temptation of Christ
Directed by Martin Scorsese
- drama
The story
Jesus, a humble Judean carpenter beginning to see that he is the son of God, is drawn into revolutionary action against the Roman occupiers by Judas -- despite his protestations that love, not violence, is the path to salvation. The burden of being the savior of mankind torments Jesus throughout his life, leading him to doubt.
What it’s like
Dusty ochre landscapes under hard desert sun give way to shadowed interiors lit by oil lamps and hazy firelight, with Peter Gabriel's ethereal, percussive score swelling under the silences. Scorsese's handheld camera pushes close on faces, sweat and grit, while the wide Moroccan vistas feel vast and indifferent. The pace is deliberate and meditative, punctuated by sudden, brutal bursts of violence, including a harrowing crucifixion and scenes of Roman brutality, plus a restless sexual sequence and brief nudity. Its vibe is anguished and contemplative, a slow fever dream of doubt, faith and longing. A carpenter, uneasy with the weight of being chosen, is pulled toward revolution by a friend who believes in force, and his inner torment becomes the film's real drama. It suits a late, quiet viewing for those who want serious, challenging religious drama about faith and moral conflict, and it is a poor fit for anyone wanting something gentle or free of graphic violence.
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