Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Peter Firth and Tom Felton
Directed By: Kevin Reynolds
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 107 minutes
Sony Pictures Releasing
Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Usually when talking about faith-based movies, I have to walk on eggshells. I can’t insert my own personal doctrine into my review, because generally I’m not going to agree with the personally held beliefs of the movie’s message. So I generally try and judge the movie based on its acting, production, and story merits. I’m well enough versed in Christianity (attending Catholic school for
four years helps) to understand the message of any historical Christian movie. Generally, I assume I’m not going to see anything new, but miraculously, “Risen” tells an original, entertaining story about the Son of God.
The crucifixion of Christ is very well known throughout American culture and its decent fodde, but “Risen” aims for a loftier and lesser told tale, the aftermath. Clavius (Fiennes) is a seasoned Roman tribune that has led many a men into battle. He’s back in Jerusalem, weary from death and destruction, and given a task to overlook a controversial crucifixion. You know which one. Clavius begrudgingly goes along, not yet understanding the magnitude of watching Christ on the cross.
Clavius then overlooks Christ’s burial, rolling a giant boulder over the tomb, and sealing it with rope, wax, and the Roman seal of approval. He puts two guards at the foot of the sepulcher and figures that his job is done. By the third morning, Clavius hears that the body is gone, and that something unbelievable has happened. Clavius then investigates, questioning his own archaic faith along the way.
The production company, Affirm Films, is behind this one. Their past movies have included lengthy naps such as “Heaven is for Real” and “War Room”, but “Risen” is a step above their normal fare. A lot of the credit can go to writer and director Kevin Reynolds who keeps the story flowing and makes “Risen” a double dose performance. It’s part action-mystery and part faith discovery. The sleuthing act of part one blends well into the second part which is all about seeing faith through fresh virgin eyes.
Most religious movies feel phony and cheesy when preaching the Gospel, but “Risen” presents it for what it is, what it means, and the good natured spirit of it all. It feels more like an engaging lesson than an obnoxious sermon. The historical figures of this movie begin and end with Jesus, his disciples, Mary Magdalene, and Pontius Pilate. Everyone else, I presume, is fiction. Clavius and his interactions represent an agnostic or atheist person discovering the word of God for the first time.
As for the settings, the Roman culture and everything else, it’s fairly faithful to the history books. The production values are some of the best I’ve seen for an Affirm Films flick. Instead of splurging on a big name stars that people can recognize, “Risen” has focused more on detailed sets, make-up, clothing, and a talent agent that picked some great actors. Fiennes deserves all the credit in the world for going from a for-sure Roman, to a skeptic, to a perplexed Roman, to a follower of Christ. Fiennes makes Clavius’ transition highly believable. It also helps when you cast Peter Firth as Pilate.
“Risen” does suffer from having too much downtime, a long and drawn out ending, and a poor framing device. The movie is told by Clavius as he relays his tale to a random peasant that he crosses paths with 33 years after the fact, without having aged a single day. As for the more light hearted moments and jokes, all I could do was roll my eyes. But in terms of a movie going experience, it may be a profound, moving experience for the faithful, and a decent popcorn flick for the average moviegoer. Who knows, it may even stir spirituality in the staunchest of doubters.