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Matthew Modine, Juliette Binoche, Forest Whitaker, Heather Graham, Marion Cotillard ... see more see more... , Stefania Rocca , Jean Leloup , Amos Luzzatto , Elaine Pagels , Sarah Polley , Vincent Gallo

Bad Lieutenant director Abel Ferrara takes the helm of this allegorical drama concerning an actress locked in the throes of a profound spiritual crisis, and the affect that it has on both the director... read more read more... of her latest film and a New York journalist. Marie Palesi (Juliette Binoche) is a major European screen star who has just finished shooting her latest film, a revisionist religious drama directed by maverick American film director Tony Childress (Matthew Modine). In the film, Palesi portrayed the character of Mary Magdalene not as a common prostitute, but a full-fledged disciple whose power struggle with Peter set the stage for centuries of controversy. But the role has had a greater impact on Palesi than anyone could have foreseen, and after the shoot wraps, she makes the decision to remain in the Middle East and make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. A year later, New York investigative journalist Ted Younger (Forest Whitaker) is producing a week-long network series examining the historical facts about Jesus Christ. After attending a screening for Childress' film, Younger contacts the director about the possibility of interviewing both himself and Palesi for the project. Unfortunately for Younger, Palesi has disappeared and Younger has no idea how to track her down. But while married journalist Younger is currently having an affair with an actress (Marion Cotillard) who just happens to know Palesi's number in Jerusalem, convincing the elusive starlet to appear on his special will pose a whole new set of challenges. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

44% liked it

732 ratings

Critics

63% liked it

16 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Abel Ferrara

Release Date: October 17, 2008

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Flixster Reviews (58)

  • gator681
    September 30, 2009
    gator681
    "Mary" starts with the wrapping up of a film shoot about the life of Jesus, starring, written and directed by Tony Childress(Matthew Modine). Instead of returning to New York, Marie(Juliette Binoche), his leading lady as Mary Magdalene, flips out and decides to go to Jerusalem. ... read more Director Abel Ferrara picks up the story a year later with the imminent and controversial release of the movie but instead of focusing on Tony or Marie, Ted(Forest Whitaker), a television personality, takes center stage by interviewing experts on Jesus, allowing them to simultaneously pontificate and drag the movie down. As Ted's ratings somehow go up, his personal life is falling apart as he argues with his very pregnant wife Elizabeth(Heather Graham), probably because unbeknowst to her, he is having an affair with Gretchen(Marion Cotillard), his producer, who he also ends up betraying. All this proves is that Forest Whitaker can give an excellent performance even when playing a walking cliche.

    Now there is more than enough in the above to provide a very astute commentary on religion and spirituality(which "Jesus in Montreal" did so very well), but Ferrara never pulls it together into a single coherent thought. Is it supposed to be about how only a spiritual man can make a thoughtful movie about Jesus(which Pasolini disproved anyway) or how much religious violence there is in the world today? Tony is too much a jackass to get a clear sense of what he is thinking(if anything) while Marie simply remains a cipher during her brief time on screen. At least with "Bad Lieutenant," I could see what Ferrara was thinking, even if he was daft enough to put the Mets in god's divine plan. Trust me, it would not work as well with the Yankees...
  • mvieaddict
    June 11, 2009
    mvieaddict
    This film is far ambitious in its range than it is in delivering its message. Despite the cast, there was nothing spiritual in either the characters or the performances,maybe Forest Whittaker's scene of remorse in church towards the end, which was unconvincing. Juliette Binoche w... read moreas poor in her portrayal of Mary Magdalene, delivering a confused, hysterical portrait of a woman, who is known to be an extraordinary person and the film's central issue.
    The character played by Matthew Modine was the most convincing in his cynical pride, and this fact said something about the spirit which guides the whole film.

    Was hard to understand why this film was made, what was it really trying to say? Why actors like Juliette Binoche and the Oscar winner Forest Whitaker got involved with it? They act well, but it's wasted talent. If you are a fan of Bible inspired films you will like this, otherwise there is no good reason to spend the time seeing it.
  • cacutshaw
    November 19, 2007
    cacutshaw
    Good Ferrara film that is very interesting, even if I didn't quite "get it". Once again Ferrara tackles my favourite theme in his films, religion vs faith. Modine plays an obvious Mel Gibson clone who is passionate about Christ, but very self serving. Whitaker is a man who dis... read morecovers faith and Binoche is an actress who goes crazy. Crazy with Mary Magdelene! Kind of surprised this hasn't gotten a North American release, at least DTV, I mean it's Ferrara! C'mon!
  • jrmcm
    December 25, 2008
    jrmcm
    Inept, flat, nonsensical. Whitaker and Graham are miscast, Binoche is lost, and only Modine provides a few pity laughs. There are a few pretty pictures of New York at night.

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Critic Reviews

V.A. Musetto
October 17, 2008
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

Mary is a mess. An inter esting one, yet still a mess. Full Review

Stephen Holden
October 17, 2008
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Mary is a convoluted, hysterical mess of a movie with grandiose spiritual airs and not a drop of humor. Full Review

J. Hoberman
October 15, 2008
J. Hoberman, Village Voice

Tightly framed and tightly wound, Mary is a claustrophobic, incandescent, nutty 83 minutes with everyone in the cast teetering on the ledge of madness. Full Review

Leslie Felperin
September 13, 2005
Leslie Felperin, Variety

A sincere grapple with faith and redemption in cynical times. Full Review

Ray Bennett
September 13, 2005
Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter

Murky and forgettable.

Fernando F. Croce
August 26, 2009
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Stylistically sophisticated and emotionally visceral Full Review

Matthew Nestel
October 21, 2008
Matthew Nestel, Boxoffice Magazine

Many Ferrara faithful fetching for something uncanny will line up and get what they bargained for. Full Review

Jon Frosch
October 20, 2008
Jon Frosch, Film Journal International

Cult director Abel Ferrara bites off more than he can chew with this murky, unfocused exploration of religion and faith in the age of media madness. Full Review

Eric Henderson
October 16, 2008
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine

A triune plot that Ferrara digs into with sleeves fully rolled up. Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf
October 15, 2008
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

It feels like the kind of snoozy artistic modulation that critics often confuse for maturation. Full Review

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