Book Of Life
On the last day of the century, Jesus shows up at JFK airport with his attractive young assistant, Magdalena. Sent by his father to perform the last judgement, Jesus has second thoughts and calls off the Apocalypse. Meanwhile, Satan goes from bar to bar in search of pure souls… Acclaimed director Hartley presents a techno-.. Read more
| Starring | P. J. Harvey, Martin Donovan |
|---|---|
| Director | Hal Hartley |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Book Of Life
On the last day of the century, Jesus shows up at JFK airport with his attractive young assistant, Magdalena. Sent by his father to perform the last judgement, Jesus has second thoughts and calls off the Apocalypse. Meanwhile, Satan goes from bar to bar in search of pure souls… Acclaimed director Hartley presents a techno-driven, computerized and modernistic world for his thrilling story of the fate of man in a race against time.
| Starring | P. J. Harvey, Martin Donovan |
|---|---|
| Director | Hal Hartley |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 3 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Released | DVD: 09 Jun 2006 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews
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Hartley's typically wry, witty and inventive contribution to Haut et Court's Millennium series envisages Christ... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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14 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Hartley tries something new
First of all, I find it hard to understand some of the reviews (although the term 'review' is more than some of the comments deserve - if I want to hear people call a film 'sh*t' then I'll listen to some thickos down the pub). Why have you rented this film if you clearly have no interest in it? For others who want a more objective judgment, I'll give some details (which is the whole point of reviewing a film isn't it?)
First of all, I watched this film because I'm a fan of Hal Hartley and his acting emsemble (represented here by Martin Donovan, who plays Jesus). For those of you watching because of PJ Harvey, be aware she has almost no acting to do as such, although a couple of her songs contribute to the soundtrack.
Secondly, the film is just over an hour long and I suspect (there is no bonus material on the DVD to support/disagree with my view) that it was commissioned as part of a larger Millenium 'celebration', and not 'the next Hal Hartley feature film'.
Thirdly, the story has Jesus and Mary Magdalene arriving in New York on 31st Dec 1999, preparing for the Apocalypse. The Devil is also present, and there are two 'human' characters intertwined with the story.
So, knowing all that, is it any good? The answer is: no, not really. The film is shot in an unattractive grainy yet shimmery style, for no particular reason. There is a sub-plot, if one can call it that, which I never understood, and the script mainly centres on dialogue between the Devil and one human character, and the Devil and Jesus.
Rather as Hartley himself has done, watch, take what you can from it, and move on. -
Most recent members' review
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12 out of 21 people found this review helpful
Poor
Poor acting, poor dialog and poorly shot.
If shakey hand held camera work is your thing, you'll love this. Generally had the feel of a young 16 year olds first forays into film making, having found his grandfathers old cinecamera. In a word "dreadful". -
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Book Of Life
On the last day of the century, Jesus shows up at JFK airport with his attractive young assistant, Magdalena. Sent by his father to perform the last judgement, Jesus has second thoughts and calls off the Apocalypse. Meanwhile, Satan goes from bar to bar in search of pure souls… Acclaimed director ...
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