The Body (2001)

Why is the career of Antonio Banderas so troubled? Because the man is unquestionably a movie star. Even in a movie like The Body--in which he plays a priest sent by the Vatican to investigate whether or not a skeleton found in a tomb in Jerusalem is in fact the bones of Jesus Christ, a movie that reduces complex questions of faith and theology to plot points on a screenplay formula, a movie that manages to be simultaneously preposterous and mundane--even in a movie like this, Banderas is engaging. He's phenomenally good-looking; he's both intelligent and emotionally accessible; he's funny and passionate; why have only genre pictures (such as The Mask of Zorro and Desperado) so far managed to capture his charm and warmth? His five films with exuberant Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Law of Desire, Matador, Labyrinth of Passion, and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!) showed Banderas to be a versatile actor, capable of tackling sophisticated parts with both comic and serious edges. But Hollywood doesn't seem to know what to do with him; it's dismaying to think that the numerous duds that litter his filmography are actually the best choices he's been offered. The Body is far from his worst film--the cinematography is superb, and though the script is trying to tackle religious and political issues far beyond its grasp, the dialogue is reasonably well written and the characters have some dimension to them--but why is an actor as sexy as Banderas being cast as a priest? Please, someone, give this man the roles he deserves! --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

The Body - What if Christ DIDN'T Rise from the Dead?

A thought provoking movie, based on the premise that IF bones were discovered in a tomb in Jerusalem that MIGHT be those of Jesus Christ, who would feel they had equity, and how far would they go to protect their interests. Richard Sapir always did excel at this type of story, and the film version of this is well worth the time. August 27, 2008

An Interesting, Thought-Provoking, Engaging Film

I love this movie. No, it isn't perfect, but I've never seen Antonio Banderas in a better role; he acts as if his heart and his own faith are at stake. The Body is more than just another action movie, and it's ten times better made than the DaVinci Code (now there was a mess!). It is about true faith and the manipulation of true faith, about sincerity and cynical self-service, about politics masquerading as religion -- timely topics. This is one of those movies that reverberates long after the credits roll. February 1, 2008

Easy to Watch More than Once

This is one of my favorite movies. It has the air of older movies, those that had adventure and plot instead of just action. Yes, it has its share of explosions and gunfire, but with a purpose.

The move is about character, dialog, and plot. What a unique and rare thing.

Bandaras does a better than good job in the lead, and the secondary actors put in polished performances.

Yes, this is a bit of a Catholic basher as it makes them look scheming so, if you are a catholic you might find that a bit of a turn off, and maybe even offensive. However, not all of the catholic characters are that way. I put the catholic part this way, it makes catholics look good, but the catholic church look bad.

I have watched this movie three times now and will watch it again. It is also a movie I like to share with other people to get their take on it. Some love it, others don't get it, but so far, no one has hated it. November 3, 2007

Shake your faith.

This movie is a shaker.
A rich mans tomb is found in Jerusalem, with a crucified man in it, from the time of Pontius Pilot.
The implication is that Yeshua (Jesus) didn't raise from the dead.
What a mystery. Everyone is shaken in this one. Antonio Banderas plays a priest sent by the Vatican to deal with this 'problem'.
The content really makes you think as the many implications and possibilities arise for the Jews, Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem.
Good footage of the city of Jerusalem.
It is a PG rating, and has one swear word in it.
Don't miss the very end!!!!!!!
Recommend it....
Pastor Brian Howard
New Water Fellowship
Sumner, Wa. 98390 October 22, 2007

Spiritual drama at its best - 5 stars !

Many films & books in recent years about the what-ifs of challenging religious dogmas - The DaVinci Code being one of the more popular. This story involves what happens when a grave is discovered that MAY contain the body of Christ. Banderas is the Catholic priest sent by the Vatican to prove that it is NOT. (It is feared that The Church could not survive such a shocking paradigm shift.) The plot also addresses the ongoing war between the Palistinians & Jews - & terrorists. Much better movie than I expected it to be. Banderas proves once again that he is an excellent actor, not just another pretty face. Totally believable. The ending is devastating. Watch CAREFULLY for this ! July 18, 2007

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