This is quite simply, a movie that never should have been made. At the onset it states "While dramatic license has been taken, we believe this film reflects the spirit and historical significance of the biblical story of Mary and Jesus." In actuality, the story's version of the historical Mary could best be categorized as a cross between of St. Joan of Arc and Helen Reddy, more closely favoring the latter. Herein we are treated to scenes of Mary verbally confronting Roman Soldiers on one occasion, confronting Pharisees stoning an adulterous woman in another; questioning why God would allow suffering, among other examples unbecoming of a woman of faith; giving orders to Joseph and the apostles; among numerous other anachronisms that left my wife and I exhausted from incredulous laughter. (Speaking of Joseph, he is portrayed as questioning Mary "Are you insane?!", and admitting that he had been full of hatred).
Rather than continuing the litany of outrages, one can summarize the problem with this movie as a serious portrayal of Mary by one example. Can you imagine a biography of Abraham Lincoln without mention or recitation of the Gettysburg Address, for example? Yet, with all of the made up orations of Mary (out of character with her portrayal in the Gospel) in this film, there is not an excerpt or reference to her central statement of faith, the Magnificat?! (Luke 1:46-55). Such an "oversight" gives clear insight into the motives of those who through this piece determined to make Mary in their own image, irrespective of historical fact.
One may wish to envision Mary as a bold, brash, outspoken, leader of her Jewish tribe, but any objective reader of the Gospel would clearly have to recognize such an idea as pure fantasy, and promote this movie as such. The Executive Producer, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver (God rest her soul), admitted that her niece Maria Shriver, as well as none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, had a part in writing the script! (Theologians not, are they). Also, as the trivia section here on IMDb indicates, the perverse entertainer who dares to name herself after the Mother of God was originally cast to play the title role! By all reasonable appearances, this movie did not miss the mark with a few extended liberties with the biblical events by the writer, but was in fact a conscious attempt to re-fashion a central character in Christianity into a more appealing modern type, devoid of reality. Anyone approaching this movie as a devotional tool, or as a rendering of the Gospel story, will be sorely disappointed to say the least. Please, do not waste any expense or time on this piece of artistic garbage. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
Rather than continuing the litany of outrages, one can summarize the problem with this movie as a serious portrayal of Mary by one example. Can you imagine a biography of Abraham Lincoln without mention or recitation of the Gettysburg Address, for example? Yet, with all of the made up orations of Mary (out of character with her portrayal in the Gospel) in this film, there is not an excerpt or reference to her central statement of faith, the Magnificat?! (Luke 1:46-55). Such an "oversight" gives clear insight into the motives of those who through this piece determined to make Mary in their own image, irrespective of historical fact.
One may wish to envision Mary as a bold, brash, outspoken, leader of her Jewish tribe, but any objective reader of the Gospel would clearly have to recognize such an idea as pure fantasy, and promote this movie as such. The Executive Producer, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver (God rest her soul), admitted that her niece Maria Shriver, as well as none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, had a part in writing the script! (Theologians not, are they). Also, as the trivia section here on IMDb indicates, the perverse entertainer who dares to name herself after the Mother of God was originally cast to play the title role! By all reasonable appearances, this movie did not miss the mark with a few extended liberties with the biblical events by the writer, but was in fact a conscious attempt to re-fashion a central character in Christianity into a more appealing modern type, devoid of reality. Anyone approaching this movie as a devotional tool, or as a rendering of the Gospel story, will be sorely disappointed to say the least. Please, do not waste any expense or time on this piece of artistic garbage. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!