Jesus of Montreal (1989)

Good concept, poorly executed.

Expected more

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Do you feel like shaking up your philosophical and/or religious foundation in this spring of 2018? If so, this film by Denys Arcand is for you.A great movie for Easter, "Jesus de Montreal" tells the story of a young, idealistic actor in Montreal who sets up - with the help of his talented troupe - a "Passion Play" for the local Catholic bishop in the heart of Mount Royal. And the production goes way beyond what society and clergy expect.Lothaire Bluteau and Catherine Wilkenning give their hearts and souls to their roles of Daniel / Jesus of Montreal and Mireille / Mary Magdalene. And the rest of the ensemble - Remy Girard, Johanne-Marie Tremblay, Gilles Pelletier and Robert Lepage - add equal measures to the beauty and production of the story.1990 Genie Award for Best Motion Picture.

"Jésus de Montréal" is one of the best modern realizations of what Christianity is becoming in the hands of Western Culture. The film clearly shows how current Christian leaders are becoming what Jesus himself strode to part from when he parted from the corrupted Jewish community he belonged to. Daniel, the main character, is paralleled to Jesus in so many ways (Daniel gathers actors::Jesus gather disciples, Daniel destroys the corrupt acting studio::Jesus destroys the temple where money lending is occurring, et cetera). These parallels are clearly in place to show how modern Christianity is reversing its role in how it spreads and teaches religion.Lothaire Bluteau does an outstanding job acting as the almost-famous-starving-for-food- but-at-the-same-time-doing-well-for-himself- and-meeting-people-in-high-places actor, while Robert "The Page" Lepage pulls off a difficultly humorous yet unrefined René.I spell "colour" with a 'u' because I am British.Of course, one of the film's greatest strength's is that is not American-based. This also leads to the most disappointing part of the film: It was not written, directed, or produced by Hindus. If the film had more Indian influence it would be much stronger, as Bollywood and all Hindu-related films are far superior than anything Western civilization can produce.

Brilliant piece of movie, especially fragments of road show! Movie talks about basic human values, vs. hypocrisy of the religion and society; talks about real artists and affectation of mediocrity found in show business, relationships and art. A movie that doesn't belong to high profit type of Hollywood junk production for wide masses. It contains bright and simple thoughts, for the way to soul calmness that we have forgotten... The real religion is the one, there aren't institution and leaders, only human being and love. This is movie about urban kind of the Christ, but Christ isn't person, Christ is a state of soul. Everyone can do it with simplicity, truth and liberty of your life. God is in you, not on the sky or in church corporations! Love&Sun, LeOS

You do not need to be Catholic or, much less, Quebecois to understand and appreciate this work of art.Jesus of Montreal is an act of sublime spiritual discovery and should be required viewing of all who call themselves Christian. In this film, we see how the Spirit of Christ is born and grows in one man (Lothaire Bluteau), and how the evildoers around him react.We see the evil pharisees who judge and condemn Lothaire (Jesus). These are the people like the American President bush who proclaim loudly to one and all how "holy" and "Christian" they are, all the while killing babies with his bombs and bullets and sanctions.Go see this film with an open mind, and you will see and hear the real message of Jesus Christ!