WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
It has been said “seeing is believing”. Most assuredly, it is a phrase often associated with events that defy description, defy the norm of human understanding, and defy belief. So when the seeking of such things leads to the wonder of discovery, how is it handled? How would you take it in? What effect would it pose to your own personal faith and ideology? For Roman Tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), it becomes the epicenter of his life’s journey when called upon to ensure the body of the recently crucified Messiah, Yeshua (Cliff Curtis), is entombed well and good, for rumor among the Sanhedrin is that his followers believe in three days, he will rise from the dead.
With the pending arrival of the Roman emperor, Pontius Pilate (Peter Firth), has more than his fair share of need to keep peace and order in Jerusalem. Once the deed is done, things seem right, until the impossible occurs–the body disappears. Furious and wanting answers, Pilate tasks Clavius and his right hand aide Lucius (Tom Felton) to find out who stole the body and ensure justice is done before the emperor’s coming. Taking whatever measures that are needed, Clavius pursues Yeshua’s disciples, questioning them, yet all proclaim Yeshua has risen. As frustration and religious fervor begin to grow in Jerusalem, Clavius’ road takes an unexpected turn that causes him to reassess everything he holds as his faith, as how can you question reality when witnessing eternity’s face?
Next, my Mind:
Prolifically solid writer/director Kevin Reynolds, who gave us Costner in “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”, Caviezel in “The Count of Monte Cristo”, and the epic TV mini-series “Hatfields & McCoys”, takes the reins here in a fantastically refreshing look at the Resurrection and the impact it has on a non-believer instead of focusing only on the disciples or fellow Christians. What this did, for this reviewer anyway, is put a potent and soul-searching punch to a familiar narrative while not losing its central message. The interactions between Clavius, Pilate, the disciples and others show a man bound by nothing else but duty to Rome and pursuit of his own ambitions until a “mild” change of circumstance radically alters his path.
Fiennes completely shines as Clavius, realistically and poignantly illustrating his normally harsher, cynical attitudes when it comes to Yeshua and the Christian faith, and refusing to accept the sensationalistic claims he faces until the pivotal moment occurs that, quite frankly, blows his notions away, and hence embarks on a new pilgrimage to seek answers. Solid supporting turns by Curtis as the divinely loving yet authoritative Yeshua, Felton as a fiercely loyal Roman who questions Clavius’ convictions, plus Antonio Gil, Stewart Scudamore, Stephen Hagan, Mish Boyko, Jan Cornet, and Joe Manjon as disciples/followers Joseph of Arimathea, Peter, Bartholomew, John, Thomas, and Simon the Canaanite. Well-filmed sequences, both sobering and miraculous, fill this effort, each adding its own emotionally powerful statement to the greater whole.
In total, “Risen” stands as one of the better faith-based films in recent time and, again, makes its compelling and effective message center stage, but does so from an amazingly relevant and believable way that isn’t the least bit overbearing or short on truth.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
