Last Days in the Desert (2015)

An imagined chapter from Jesus' forty days of fasting and praying in the desert. On his way out of the wilderness, Jesus struggles with the Devil over the fate of a family in crisis.

Director:

Rodrigo García

Writer:

Rodrigo García

Stars:

Ewan McGregor, Ciarán Hinds, Tye Sheridan

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Ewan McGregor	...	Yeshua / The Demon
Susan Gray	...	Demonic Woman
Tye Sheridan	...	The Boy
Ciarán Hinds	...	The Father
Ayelet Zurer	...	The Mother

Storyline

Ewan McGregor is Jesus - and the Devil - in an imagined chapter from his forty days of fasting and praying in the desert. On his way out of the wilderness, Jesus struggles with the Devil over the fate of a family in crisis, setting for himself a dramatic test.

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Plot Keywords:

jesus christ character | folklore | superstition | evil | lore | 

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Taglines:

To prepare for his mission, the holy man went into the desert to fast and pray, and to seek guidance.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some disturbing images and brief partial nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Instagram

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 June 2016 (Singapore)

Also Known As:

Últimos días en el desierto

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mockingbird Pictures, Division Films, Ironwood Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ewan McGregor portrays both the characters of Yeshua (Jesus) and Lucifer. As such, McGregor brought his long-time stunt double, Nash Edgerton, to learn and recite the lines opposite him while filming scenes wherein these two characters interact.

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Quotes

Jesus: Am I expected to just walk away now? As if I'd never met these people? As if they mean nothing to me?

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Connections

Featured in Conan: Ewan McGregor/Tracee Ellis Ross/Matt Donaher (2016)

User Reviews

Magnificent

There is an exchange of dialog in this film where Ewan McGregor's character asks another character in the story, "Why do you live in the desert?" and the answer comes back "Because the desert is ruthless ... it strips away all pretense ... it makes you see yourself for who you are."

Now, going into this film I was a little concerned that it was part of the New Wave of faith-based films. Don't get me wrong. I have reviewed several of those, and some are very well done. But what each faith-based film has in common is that it seems at first like a regular film ... and then gets a little odd. Not saying that is a bad thing. But it is odd.

This film starts with a certain tone and stays true to that tone for the entire run time. It never gets odd. For this reason I do not consider it a faith-based film but a true creative work that is is both brilliant and powerful.

The premise is simple -- can you focus on just a few days of one of the most inspirational figures in modern religion (fictionally)and, by the microcosm of those few days, achieve the flavor and the raw emotion of the entire life of that same character?

It is a daunting goal but I think McGregor and Garcia pull it off. To appreciate this film you need to start with no expectations and then get drawn into the film much the same way the central character allows himself to get drawn into the desert. Almost like a meditation, if you like.

In the right mindset this film is like the desert in the quote above. For a brief moment it allows you to see yourself for who you are.

Recommended.