Hand it to Mel Gibson -- the guy's got chutzpah. He (and/or his publicists) reportedly put words in the mouth of John Paul II to help tout his ultra-controversial movie about Jesus. Setting aside the question of whether a bullish papal review means boffo box office, it does make me wonder whether Mel lost sight of a commandment or two in his desperation to see the flick validated by His Holiness. Granted, I'd trust JP's opinion more than, say, Richard Roeper's or Elvis Mitchell's, but it might be disrespectful to quote the guy without checking first. And to claim he'd said something that he actually didn't, well, I wouldn't want to be a devout Catholic explaining that one to St. Peter.
The film already has Jewish leaders frothing. And for evangelical Christians, it's kind of like "The Last Temptation of Christ" in reverse. I can't decide whether to rush out and see it, or wait for it to hit cable. I'm still a little gunshy after the Bad Santa hype.
Posted by Vernam at January 23, 2004 07:22 AM | TrackBackAre you calling the Holy Father a liar? I fear for your immortal soul. Good to see the Pope's getting jiggy in his twilight days, though.
Posted by: VC at January 26, 2004 02:52 PMFrom what I can gather, it sounds like the words were indeed said and then the Vatican backed off. Who has more credibility: Gibson or the Pope? Viva la Road Warrior!
Posted by: Olam at January 24, 2004 08:23 AM