Garth Davis (“Lion”) tells the story of Mary Magdalene starring Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Chuck says: Based on the 2016 Vatican edict that declared Mary was not a woman of ill-repute and was in fact one of Jesus’ most devoted followers, this beautiful, thoughtful film from Garth Davis intends to set the record straight. While the story is familiar, the different perspective through Mary’s eyes regarding Christ’s ministry is revelatory as is Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Jesus, casting him as a weary messiah, tired and worn out by his trials, yet determined to see his mission through. In the title role, Rooney Mara is subtle but conveys a great deal in her introspective approach and while the movie is overlong, it’s well-worth seeing as the conviction of the actress and the cast make it worthwhile.
