The “Passion of the Christ” has been gaining national attention since before the movie ever hit the screen, and now with the film in local theaters, audiences here are left to weigh in with their opinions.
Patrons are coming out in droves. According to Variety magazine, the movie had the biggest debut ever by a film opening on a Wednesday with $125.2 million dollars.
But more than just making millions of dollars, the movie is leaving audiences with lasting impressions.
Several Christian groups have rented out theaters, including Chi Alpha Christian fellowship, which sponsored a viewing last Thursday at the Grand Cinema. Chi Alpha Director Nick Callaway has seen the movie twice and said the experience is unlike that of the average film.
Callaway said the audiences seem more solemn after the credits roll.
“Its a movie you have to digest, it’s not ‘OK, that’s great, lets get some pizza,'” Callaway said.
Callaway said people appeared stunned, are often crying, and he had not heard anyone laughing or joking after the movie.
He said he feels the movie sends viewers into sensory overload.
After a showing at Citiplace Theater Sunday night, movie-goers behaved similar to Callaway’s descriptions.
Mindy Fontenot, a communications disorders freshman, appeared in a state of shock.
“I can’t talk. I am overwhelmed right now,” Fontenot said.
And religious and non-religious viewers alike found the movie gripping.
Cary Stickles, a recent general studies graduate, said his personal beliefs tended to reflect the theory “the best religion is no religion,” but now the movie had sparked his interest.
“It was more than I bargained for,” Stickles said. “It gives you a lot of room to think.”
Alana Odom, a biochemistry sophomore, considers herself a strong Christian, and said she felt the movie accurately portrayed the crucifixion.
“At every angle the movie went as deep as possible,” Odom said. “As a film, it was great, and it was coupled with a great message.”
Odom said she thinks the movie will speak differently to every person in the same way God’s message differs between each person.
But not everyone is ready to be spoken to, and not all students are ready to see a movie that evokes such strong feelings.
During the Citiplace showing, two patrons actually left the theater after the scene in which Jesus is tempted by Satan in the Garden of Gethsemane to disobey God’s plan.
Many students said they are questioning seeing the film because they are afraid of the heavy content the movie will convey. Others just seem unfazed by the media blitz the film has received and have no real desire to see the movie.
Leah Romero, a fourth-year photography student, was raised Catholic and said the film’s strong publicity was making her curious, but she had not heard enough about the movie to draw her in.
“I am not real sure if i will see it,” Romero said.