|
|
EDITOR'S PICK
`Son
of God` - bland, lacks spirit (IANS Movie Review)
Rating: **
Director Christopher Spencer`s "Son of God" is a far cry from a faith
film as it impassively encapsulates Jesus` life in the backdrop of the
Jewish-Roman conflict of that era.
Documented through Jesus disciple John`s point of view, where at the very onset
of the film, he admits that for the Jewish people, "God was always there in
the struggle for the promised land, he was always by our side", the action
takes place in Jerusalem, Nazareth and Galilee, where the life story of Jesus
unfolds.
A quick summary of events like Jesus` humble birth, his meeting with his first
disciple Peter and later rallying others through his teachings, the political
undertones between him and the rabble-rousing Barabbas, Jesus attacking the
moneylenders and tax-collectors and confronting the crowd when an adulteress is
about to be stoned along with the various miracles he performed, are
mechanically executed like a tableaux that leads to the finale, the crucifixion,
which is powerfully accomplished in detail.
The film ebbs at the ultimate resurrection and finally the camera dramatically
zooms into Jesus`s eye at the denouement with an assurance, "I will come
soon".
The narration alternates somewhat awkwardly, between everyday naturalism and
pious theatricality.
Lazily scripted, this is not Spencer`s interpretation of Jesus` story as he has
blindly followed his source material, the Bible. The film is just a compilation
of scenes that highlight Jesus` life journey. The account does not offer
in-depth or analytical insights that would lead to any logical take of the
events. Instead, it chronicles more like a documentary for a TV channel.
With weak and flavourless dialogues like; "Just give me an hour, and I will
give you a whole new life," or "When Jesus spoke, I followed him.
Others followed too," that are stoically mouthed, the acting of every
character in the film too, is very mechanical and without emotions.
Portuguese model-turned-actor Diogo Morgado plays Jesus with a soft-natured
geniality, but lacks the charisma or the zest to portray a strong character like
Christ. The only scene that strums a chord at your heart is seeing him suffer
while being nailed on the cross.
Roma Downey as Jesus` mother, Mary with her youthful features and no emotional
connect between her and her son, seems to be a misfit.
Darwin Shaw as Peter, Amber Roose Revah as Mary Magdalene and Greg Hicks as
Pilate had some meaningful scenes and they offer relative justification to the
role they play.
Technically, the film`s production design is average. The dramatic camerawork of
Rob Goldie offers some picture postcard visuals, especially at the Sea of
Gallilee and other exotic locales. The music by Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe has
rich orchestral score and the outfits by costume designer Ros Little adds that
zing to capture the era.
Unfortunately, even with an ace technical team, the film is bland and not
spirited enough to hold the audience.