The Gospel of John
Jfer talked me into seeing the movie The Gospel of John on Saturday. The fact that it was going to be a word-for-word retelling gave me some pause, but the Chronicle gave it a good review so I figured it might be interesting. Interesting it was, but not three freaking hours interesting!
There is quite a bit to like about the movie. A lot of effort went into the production to make it historically accurate and realistic. I liked their choice of using (relatively) unknown actors with stage background for the main characters (although the cast was rather "white" -- the blue-eyed, dirty-haired John the Baptist could be mistaken for a raving homeless vet or a fried, dread-locked surfer). Jesus was portrayed as a real, compassionate, progressive man with a sense of humor and a messianic complex (well, duh!) I really appreciated that the story was told in a straight way, no celestial choirs and trumpets, no glowing halos, etc.
However, if you're not familiar with the other Gospels, John's on its own can be a bit disjointed. It starts with Christ's adult ministry, so you miss all the background and childhood stories. And there are quite a few parts that are only in some of the other Gospels (sermon on the mount, more about John the Baptist, Mary Magdalena and other people, breaking bread at the last supper, convicts on the cross, Judas' suicide, Ascension, etc., etc.)
The movie was based on American Bible Society’s Good News Bible translated in 1966 and the modern language makes it much more accessible than the archaic language of the King James Bible. However, in this version Jesus prefaces every other statement with "I am telling you the truth" which gets real old real fast and makes him sound a bit like a petulant David Koresh. I looked it up in the KJV and there the phrase is "verily, verily I say unto thee/you" which, while stodgy, is not quite as grating. Some contemporary Bibles use "I tell you for certain" which would have worked much better in the movie.
While John's Gospel is probably the most popular of the four, I don't feel that a word-for-word retelling works in a movie format. The narrative at times feels redundant (you're seeing what's going on) and there isn't much dialog, since most of the spoken words are Jesus'. And, of course, plot movement is quite uneven. After the Last Supper Jesus has this really long monolog that made me wish--while constantly shifting in my uncomfortable seat--for Judas to hurry up with the Roman guards. Still, seeing the story on its own was pretty neat. And it totally made me understand why Jesus was getting so much push-back from the establishment. In their eyes he was just another heretic who kept saying "I am telling you the truth" over and over and over...
I think the intended audience will enjoy this movie and it would make a great stocking stuffer for Ned Flanders (although lots of Evangelicals only consider KJV as the "true" Bible.) If you go to see it at the movies, make sure you're in a theater with lots and lots of leg room.
As for me, I wish I had seen Elf instead...
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You were a lot kinder to this movie that I was. I do agree with your post though (especially regarding the cinematography and performances). With the exception of my Uncle Matthew, I'm not sure I know anyone who would be considered the intended audience for this movie...that being said, it would make an excellent Christmas or birthday gift for him.