Mary Magdalene
Cert 12A, 120 minutes, in cinemas 16 March
Starring: Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, Chiwetel Ejiofor Director: Garth Davis
THE PLOT In coastal Judea, unmarried Mary (Mara) upsets her family by joining itinerant Jesus of Nazareth (Phoenix) and his all-male disciples. When they arrive in Jerusalem, the hopes of Judas Iscariot (Tahar Rahim) starting a popular uprising are dashed.
WHAT’S RIGHT WITH IT? Mara has an otherworldly presence that builds an arresting intrigue into her character.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT? The languorous pace and wafty dialogue risk smothering the film in an excess of spiritual sensitivity. Shame: when Mary and Peter (Ejiofor) clash over their different future visions for the Church, the film comes alive.
VERDICT An engaging feminist spin on the Crucifixion tale battling against a surfeit of filmmaking good taste.