The Last Temptation of Christ (1988, 163 Minutes): 

Playing as a part of Scorsese: More Than a Gangster

While it was heavily protested and condemned by many religious organizations during its release, The Last Temptation of Christ now feels like the furthest thing from blasphemy in its beautiful, complicated portrait of Jesus Christ (Willem Dafoe). Based on the controversial novel, the film’s serves not as a biography of the man but rather as a contemporary interpretation of his beliefs, struggles, and desires. It follows Christ’s relationships with Judas (Harvey Keitel) and Magdalene (Barbara Hershey) as he grapples with what his purpose is. It traces his early uncertainties to his eventual martyrdom; painting a being constantly torn between his divinity and his humanity. Dafoe plays this highly contested figure with incredible vulnerability and charisma, and Scorsese’s direction and Paul Schrader’s screenplay offer this story a rich complexity that can only come from two artists who have grappled with their own faith throughout their whole careers.    

Cast: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, Andre Gregory, Harry Dean Stanton, and David Bowie 

Playing back to back with The Age of Innocence at 4:30 PM. Catch both for $20.