If there was ever a figure from the New Testament deserving of reconsideration, its Mary Magdalene.
Since then, both history and Hollywood have been slow to give her her due.
As for the films Jesus, he seems completely miscast.
Credit: IFC Films
He speaks softly and carries a big shtick.
Quiet compassion and grace arent his strong suits.
Even the films topography feels off, looking more like the Italian countryside it is than ancient Judaea.
Still, the biggest problem with the movie is how lifeless and inert it all is.
When we first meet Mary, shes already a force of nature in her Judaean fishing community.
She also yearns for more.
Shes his truest believer, the only one who trulygetsJesus.
With any film titledMary Magdalene, the story naturally hinges on the relationship between Jesus and Mary.
And at times, its affecting.
With subject matter this spiritually loaded, it would be hard not to be.
But the problem with Davis film isnt that its provocative, its that its not provocative enough.
No one can argue thatMary Magdaleneisnt a well-intentioned film.
