How the Last Temptation of Christ Affected My Life - Movie Review Example

Upon being released to video, and then later DVD, many stores refused to carry it for sale or rent, including Blockbuster and Walmart.   It has been my experience that most people who hold an opinion of this movie hold an opinion based upon the controversy it generated rather than the content of the film itself.  Since this seems a less than progressive way to form an opinion, I decided to watch it and form an opinion based on what the movie seems to be about to me.  The Last Temptation of Christ has had a lasting effect upon my life not only for its content but as a method of showing that misinformed public opinion can have a lasting and damaging effect upon works of art that extend into time and form.

The protest against the film centers around the supposedly blasphemous qualities it contains, including Jesus marrying and having children.  Indeed, the film does feature a section in which Jesus marries and has children. But far from being blasphemous, these scenes highlight Jesus’ sacred qualities because they take place within a vision—His last temptation on the cross. The point of the movie is that Jesus denies the temptation and accepts his mission as Messiah. In other words, Jesus is heroic!  Far from being blasphemous, the film is actually quite conservative in its adherence to religious dogma. Those who protested against the movie were feverish in their view that the film was dangerous and anathema because it contained the scenes so described. But have not actually seen the film and having not actually appreciated the context of the scenes, they remained blissfully unaware of the truth. To this day, people who have not seen the movie begin their critique of it by mentioning that Jesus is portrayed as having sex with Mary Magdalene.  Wrong!  Jesus is portrayed as having sex in a vision provided him by Satan and after temporarily entertaining the idea of living a life like this over being crucified as the messiah, he denies the Devil and accepts his role. It may be a fine line of difference, but it is a crucial line.

Viewing this film taught me that accepting the views of any movie or work of art based upon the opinions of those who have not witnessed it firsthand is not only a ludicrous thing to do but a dangerous thing to do. From the time I ceased watching this movie, I vowed never again to accept a judgment on any work of creative art based upon the opinion of someone who has not seen it. As well, I vowed never to form a negative opinion about a work of art myself until I have seen it, regardless of whether those involved are people I’ve previously not found talented or creative.  It’s not often that a movie can change your entire outlook, but watching The Last Temptation of Christ and appreciating how the interpretation of small details can affect one’s entire viewpoint of a movie or book or song or any creative endeavor led me to completely re-evaluate my position on critical judgment.