Rooney Mara plays the part of Mary Magdalene, a woman who gave up everything for her devotion and love for Jesus. This devotion and love is captured brilliantly by Mara in her wonderful expressions when she is with the messiah. Now officially recognised by the Vatican as an apostle of the apostles, ie, an equal to the male apostles, this film depicts that accurately. In a world that is totally male dominated, Mara plays Mary as a voice that will be heard, keeping her humility and femininity simultaneously.
Phoenix plays the best Jesus that I have seen, combining the supernatural parabolic Jesus perfectly with the anxious vulnerability of the human psyche. The miracle scenes are in my opinion the best brought to screen, with the raising of Lazurus being exceptional, frighteningly beautiful.
Divine.
Sorry, but I found Mary Magdalene to be a very cool customer indeed. Whilst the locations and cinematography were stunning, something was definitely amiss with the acting and the script. Following on from Lion, the director's last film, which was a huge emotionally satisfying film, this is flat and lifeless. I just couldn't connect with it and considering how wonderful the actors involved usually are, I can't understand why this was utterly uninvolving.
Down in the mouth, dull and worthy version of the Jesus story. Jesus himself looks rather old and the others seem permanently depressed.