Apr 4, 2010
The Last Temptation of Christ: A Photo Mini-Essay
In lieu of a more substantial written contribution on this day, I offer a snippet of transcendence from what I consider to be one of the greatest of all religious films. Some worthwhile reading (and viewing) on Marty's masterpiece can be found here, here, here, here, and here.
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Thanks for the shout-out, and the extraordinary images that close this film. I think what also makes the ending work is Peter Gabriel's score, so effective and unusual throughout, and the way it inserts in these final moments the rising sound of Easter bells.
ReplyDeleteGabriel's score is an incredible creation all its own, even better when unleashed within the film itself (I think it was Jeremiah Kipp who described it as being like the crown of thorns atop the film). That the film managed to break at that exact moment after Dafoe closes his eyes suggests something of a holy presence; some masterpieces are accidents (Apocalypse Now, I would argue), but perhaps the aren't accidents so much as creations deliberately guided by additional, unseen hands.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever noticed how the frame rate is slowed, albeit slightly, as Jesus shuts his eyes? I probably wouldn't have had I not watched the above sequence some dozen times in a row while capping these screenshots.
Haven't noticed that, but it's in my Netflix queue and I'll look for that when I see it again. It's been a few years.
ReplyDeleteAfter "Last Temptation" and "Kundun" (which I also admire a great deal), I wouldn't mind if Marty made a movie about each religious faith. He'll always be known for gangster flicks, but spiritual films are his true forte.
For me, Last Temptation will always be Scorsese's masterpiece. I'm surprised it doesn't get mentioned along with his more lauded works very often. I'm not sure I disagree with Craig, either, when he says that Scorsese excels in the religion genre over all others.
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