Paul, Apostle of Christ is a biblical drama film from Affirm Films,
the studio behind some of the most popular Christian films out there like Fireproof and Facing the Giants. It’s
headlined by James Faulkner, who is most known for playing Randyll Tarly in Game of Thrones, and Jim Caviezel, who
played Jesus in Passion of the Christ
and John Reese in Person of Interest (a show that I have been meaning to finish but haven’t yet). At first, I
thought that Caviezel was going to play Paul.
But, apparently, he’s Luke, and the titular role was Faulkner’s.
The film is set during Paul’s
last days. Nero has accused the
Christians of causing the Great Fire of Rome, and this leads to the severe
persecution of Christians in the area.
Christians who are caught are either turned into human torches that
light the night-time streets or are slaughtered for entertainment in Nero’s circus. Meanwhile, Paul is imprisoned inside the
Mammertine Prison, where he is flogged regularly and is set to be executed
soon. At the behest of other believers, Luke
sneaks into Rome so that he may meet Paul and record what most likely be his
final words for the early church.
If you are a Christian, it’s
impossible not to be moved by Paul,
Apostle of Christ. And it’s not
because it indulges a Christian’s vanities, which is something that Christian
films commonly does. Rather, it’s
because it earnestly captures an essentially and historically valid facet of Christianity – the unwavering faith and loving heart that are kept upheld
even when undergoing the severest of horrors and pain imaginable to man. Furthermore, its main character is not a fictional person who experiences ideal,
romanticized scenarios that will lead to the resounding affirmation
of his Christian (sometimes, actually pseudo-Christian) worldview – which, in
turn, will make us feel good about our own Christian (sometimes, actually pseudo-Christian)
worldview. No, nobody as shallow as
that. Its main character is a
well-depicted Apostle Paul, who is arguably only second to Jesus as the most
important historical figure of Christendom.
It’s a film that gives a somewhat
comprehensive feel of what Paul’s life had been about. Though it’s set during his last days, it also
makes flashbacks to earlier parts of his life, which impeccably ties up to the
theme of his arc. It’s extremely
compelling to see Paul being haunted by memories of the Christians he had
persecuted prior his conversion, implying that this was what was on his mind
when he referred to himself as “the worst of sinners” as well as when he mentioned
the “thorn in the flesh” that regularly afflicted him. He recognized that he was unworthy of mercy,
and yet he comforted himself that God’s grace was sufficient for him.
There are certainly details in
the plot that are the result of imagination. Creative license has always been a given for the medium, even if its story is based on facts and actual events. Besides, there are only a few definite
information from Scripture and historical records about this
stage in Paul’s life. So employing fictional elements is a narrative necessity.
However, what bothered me a bit is the usage of Scripture as part of the dialogue. In general, this technique is typically fine. But the manner it was done in the film gives
off the impression that the passages mentioned were collected and compiled by
Luke, and not consciously and specifically constructed by Paul for particular
epistles.
On the other hand, an instance where Scripture-recitation-in-the-narrative proves
powerful is at the end. Serving as
voice-over while Paul walks to his execution is his letter to Timothy, spoken in
his voice. “I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith…” A truly beautiful, poignant
cinematic moment.
Paul, Apostle of Christ is not flawless, but it’s absolutely superior
to many faith-based movies of recent memory.
It lacks much of the lazy craftsmanship, melodramatic manipulations, and diluted
witnessing that have unfortunately plagued the genre. Instead, not only does it make genuine efforts
of artistry, but most importantly, it has a genuinely profound message to share.
No comments:
Post a Comment