283. Mary Magdalene; movie review

MARY MAGDALENE
Cert 12A
117 mins
BBFC advice: Contains bloody images

Thirty years ago this summer, Mrs W and I were married at the Church of St Mary Magdalene - possibly the oldest building in Coventry.
But three decades later we are still none the wiser about the history of the woman who gave the church its name.
Consequently, we were looking forward to Garth Davis' movie which we presumed would be her biopic or as near as the history books have revealed.
We were disappointed on several counts.
Firstly, because we were expecting great things as Davis was the director of one of our favourite films, Lion - secondly, because it doesn't really explain why it steers the audience away from a common portrayal of Mary as a reformed prostitute.
The opening part of the movie sees Mary (Rooney Mara) be a bit of a handful at home because she doesn't want to be married off but, thereafter, she is merely in the shadow of her master, Jesus of Nazareth (Joaquin Phoenix).
Indeed, after her first meeting with Jesus, he becomes the focus rather than her.
The third disappointment is that the Christ story isn't told nearly as well as it has been before.
One of the central problems is the miscasting of Phoenix. He is too old and mumbles too much to be convincing.
Even when he becomes angry at the money-making in the Jerusalem temple, he can't be taken seriously.
Phoenix was once one of the world great actors but seems to have lost his way behind the giant bush of unkempt beard.
Therefore, both Mrs W and I found ourselves yearning for Robert Powell (Jesus Of Nazareth) or even Max Von Sydow (The Greatest Story Ever Told).
I have since read that there is little record of the life of Mary Magdalene and, although she is referenced in many bible texts, nothing was written by her.
Therefore, it poses the question - why did Davis bother making a film about her only to pad it with the Jesus story?
Perhaps it was to entice people such as Mrs W and me under false pretences.

Reasons to watch: Gives context to Mary Magdalene within the Jesus story
Reasons to avoid: Disappointingly short on detail of her life

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 4/10

Director Garth Davis: "We all know about the story of her as a fallen woman and prostitute which was confirmed by Pope Gregory in 591 AD but the one we’re telling is the one we believe to be more accurate."

The big question - What was the truth about Mary Magdelene?

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