As a lifelong film enthusiast and someone who has dabbled in biblical studies, I must say that “Mary” left me feeling rather conflicted. On one hand, it is visually stunning, with sweeping landscapes and cinematography that truly transports you to ancient Judea. The performances are solid, especially Noa Cohen as Mary, who brings a quiet strength and vulnerability to the role that makes her journey feel authentic.
In simpler terms, “Mary” isn’t a new Charlize Theron action movie; it’s a Netflix production directed by DJ Caruso (known for “Disturbia” and “I Am Number Four”) that tells an epic story from the Bible about the Virgin Mary. The series follows her struggles, such as being rejected after a miraculous conception and going into hiding. As with any biblical tale, King Herod, played by Anthony Hopkins, is present, making for a dangerous pursuit of baby Jesus. Key themes include faith, courage, and determination. Ultimately, the story highlights the strength and devotion of a mother.
While viewers might not show deep commitment, this piece seems a bit overwhelmed, sometimes underdeveloped. For instance, Timothy Michael Hayes’ historical film lacks reference to the Roman Empire. Despite its grandeur — the quality is commendable — the narrative often appears chaotic and excessively dramatic when it could be more subtle.
The main characters, Cohen and Tako, effectively elicit feelings of empathy and worry about their situations in the movie. This is a success for the filmmaker, however, there are moments when it seems like a long-winded sermon from evangelist Joel Osteen, who serves as the head executive producer. This gives off an impression of witnessing a polished church service production.
Apart from being labeled as an “action thriller,” the movie allows the director to amplify Hayes’ script visually due to its limited character development depth. Consequently, what we end up with is a film that carries a strong sense of urgency and authenticity. Filmed in Morocco, the filmmaker utilized a wide-angle lens to enhance the expansiveness and grandeur of this biblical backdrop. If you can overlook some of the movie’s less compelling creative aspects, the narrative might cater to your desire for a religious cinema experience during the holiday season.
Hail Mary — In Every Sense of the Word
In the beginning, I might seem familiar to you,” I share with my audience, “but let me assure you, there’s much more to uncover about me.” This sentiment holds true as my story deviates from typical big-budget Bible narratives, and it does so remarkably. In this film, I embody a nurturing, protective mother figure. The narrative unfolds around this role, and a raw thread weaves its way throughout the tale. At moments, the fast-paced progression of events can feel overwhelming, yet it provides a more authentic portrayal of a girl on the precipice of womanhood faced with immense challenges.
This retelling of Jesus’ birth shares common traits with other stories, featuring The Three Wise Men, an authentic portrayal of the manger scene, angelic appearances, guidance from the North Star, and enough special effects to create atmosphere. However, the dialogue doesn’t allow for Anthony Hopkins to bring depth to King Herod beyond a single-dimensional angry ruler. Some might even argue that Anthony Hopkins is delivering an exaggerated performance in this role.
In a notable performance, both Cochen and Tako excel, along with several other supporting actors, notably Jade Croot portraying Sarah. The ensemble delivers admirably given the material they were provided, yet the production appears to focus more on creating an atmospheric mood rather than exploring deeper themes. This is surprising, given the film’s subject matter – the profound spiritual story of Jesus’ birth. Unfortunately, when the movie attempts to delve into these spiritual aspects, it feels contrived. Consequently, what we get is a highly polished biblical action film that prioritizes atmosphere over substance.
Too Many Cooks Eventually Serve Some Surprises
Mary, the producer known as Mary Aloe (Marlowe, Freud’s Last Session), is said to have embarked on an 17-year long endeavor with a firm resolve to portray the biblical Mary in a unique manner. This effort seemed aimed at gaining insights into the young woman and her selfless act. Moreover, the production team sought to delve into aspects of this story that are often glossed over in other versions: the tumultuous events preceding the birth of the child, as well as the challenging circumstances that followed. As depicted here, Mary’s life was a struggle for survival, as she tirelessly protected her newborn child from harm.
In a departure from typical portrayals of these events, this movie blends action and suspense, which might feel discordant to religious devotees accustomed to softer interpretations. However, the filmmakers were determined to stay true to the biblical account. They sought script approvals from various religious figures, including priests, rabbis, theologians, and scholars. These individuals influenced the story’s direction, much like the numerous producers involved (approximately 30). Yet, one can’t help but feel that too many well-meaning contributors were involved in the creative process, akin to having too many cooks in the kitchen (or in this case, too many minds in the manger).
A distinctive aspect of this movie is its focus on the lesser-known stories of Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, which are not typically portrayed in biblical illustrations. Instead, these characters were introduced later in the apocryphal Gospel of James. As a result, this film can be seen as setting the stage for events to come. In this adaptation, Ori Pfeffer and Hilla Vidor play Joachim and Anne respectively, while Dudley O’Shaughnessy portrays Gabriel who appears to them with spiritual visions, similar to what Mary would later experience. This adds an intriguing twist to the narrative, as it highlights the significant role Mary played in shaping our world and Christianity.
‘Mary’ Feels Like a Battle of Genres
In the narrative, when I, the character, am visited by Gabriel, I feel humbled. At times, even Lucifer (Eamon Farren) appears with his enigmatic visits. Though these encounters are fleeting and not always convincing, they carry an air of mystery. The filmmaker’s swift transitions to scenes where characters like myself stand alone after such meetings intensify the urgency or perhaps the destiny of my actions. However, it seems Gabriel makes quite a few appearances in the storyline.
This production, however, presents a challenge for contemporary viewers as it requires them to delve into their personal beliefs, overlooking the advancements in cinema such as special effects and CGI, to truly appreciate the might of God, as per the Bible’s teachings. The film seems to balance on the edge of chaos due to the clash between various genres, creating a confusing blend of Mary’s romantic story with Joseph, her biblical epic journey, an intense exploration of Mary as a mother under duress, an action-packed chase from adversaries, a historical account, and more.
A Big Religious Movie with Little Depth
Mary is also a part of an increasing trend in spiritual movies. Shows like “The Chosen” have been successful, and next year may see another production from Angel Studios (known for “Cabrini”, “Sight”, and “Sound of Freedom”). This new production is titled “Bethlehem” and is similar to the aforementioned, as it will be a thriller following Mary, Joseph, and Jesus’ escape from King Herod. Some aspects of this journey can already be found in the Netflix production, which swiftly covers this odyssey and other trials faced by the well-known biblical trio.
This epic tale, while visually stunning, might be considered more impressive in its visuals than its narrative development. Some viewers might suggest that a limited series could have provided a richer exploration of the subject matter, offering more depth and time for the filmmaker to truly capture the essence of Mary. Instead, it seems like there are too many broad strokes, making it predictable, especially for those accustomed to contemporary action thrillers. While Mary is likely to attract an audience, many viewers may feel that it lacked the depth they were hoping for.
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2024-12-07 21:31