I was debating whether or not I should indicate that my review would have spoilers, but I think we can all agree, believer and non- believer alike, that the story of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament should come as no surprise. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but I will write my review primarily from a production standpoint.
Can we all just take a moment and acknowledge how incredible Tomas Kofod is at portraying the titular subject? He subtly, perfectly nuances the many sides of the most famous/infamous man ever to walk the earth. Both incredibly approachable and loving, with the grit and determination to take on the status quo. Many an actor have tried and failed to so perfectly capture the character and depth of the Savior of the world. He is sometimes criticized as being too saccharine in his portrayal, but the exquisite joy and confidence exuded from his Character is both calm and dignified. Christopher Robin Miller as does a great job as Jonah. (Not THE Jonah, A Jonah.)
Now on to the film score: there are very few others that compare in epic majesty and scope, which is only appropriate, considering the film's subject. I've been looking for sheet music everywhere and can't find it.
This film is absolutely dated and is by no means Oscar-worthy (from a technological standpoint, at least), but is more than worth anyone's time to go see. This isn't a half-billion Martin Scorsese epic, by any stretch of the imagination. The costuming is sub-par, the sets are third-class, and it uses dated techniques, but it's one heck of a film that invites the viewers to act. Is it propaganda? Of course it's propaganda, but it is good propaganda, in every sense of the word.
