The Book of Life poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Martin Donovan, P.J. Harvey, Thomas Jay Ryan, David Simonds, Miho Nikaido ... see more see more... , D.J. Mendel , Katreen Hardt , James Urbaniak , Yo La Tengo

Hal Hartley directed this French-produced comedy about the Second Coming of Christ (Martin Donovan), with Thomas Jay Ryan in the role of Satan. While a gambler (David Simonds) and a waitress (Miho Nik... read more read more...aido) talk with Satan in a hotel bar, Jesus arrives at JFK airport with Magdalena (PJ Harvey). Jesus has been sent down to end the world by breaking the Seven Seals on a computer disk in a bowling alley locker room. Made in digital video blown up to 35mm, this film is part of the French "Collection 2000 Seen By" television series of one-hour films about the Millennium (and the only one by an American director). Shown at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

63% liked it

1,327 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

9 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: Hal Hartley

Release Date: October 10, 1998

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: November 7, 2000

Stats: 82 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (82)

  • threefolddado
    July 9, 2008
    threefolddado
    Interesting low budget existential drama.
  • GabrielKnight
    April 16, 2011
    GabrielKnight
    Not the best of Hal Hartley. Some dialog was brilliant but overall the movie didn't work for me - it was rather boring and not really that funny.
  • minguswaits
    May 31, 2007
    minguswaits
    Cinematography sucks in this film but the dialogue is incredible. The jittery camera work drives me nuts
  • adecker31
    March 13, 2007
    adecker31
    Made in a series of short movies by different directors imagining the millenium...all of what I like about Hal Hartley is in this movie.
  • silentris
    September 15, 2006
    silentris
    Another great by the horribly underrated Hal Hartley. Great Camera Work, Original idea. I loved it. kudos to Martin Donovan

View All The Book of Life Reviews

Critic Reviews

Nick Davis
August 29, 2004
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks

Anything touched by PJ Harvey is bound to be worth the trouble; even better, Hartley has made one of his better, least grating films.

Martin Scribbs
April 7, 2004
Martin Scribbs, Mixed Reviews

Jesus-who's-come-again asks Himself soul-searching questions in what might've been called The Lack of Passion of the Christ. Full Review

Jeremy Heilman
March 5, 2002
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com

Hartley always underplays things, even when the world's about to end. Full Review

Deborah Young
March 26, 2009
Deborah Young, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Stephen Holden
August 30, 2004
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dennis Lim
January 1, 2000
Dennis Lim, Village Voice

Click to read the article Full Review

December 6, 2005
Film Threat

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 5, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

December 8, 2002
Film Threat

Click to read the article Full Review

Philip Martin
July 30, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Fay Grim
    Fay Grim (50%)
  • The Unbearable Lightness of Being
    The Unbearable Lightness of Being (0%)

More Movies like The Book of Life

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Book of Life : Watch Free on TV

The Book of Life Trivia

  • What is the name of the character in Silent Hill played by Alice Krige who says "those whose names are not written in the book of life shall burn in the lake of fire."?   Answer »
  • What is the book about that Walter's wife gave him in the film The Number 23 ?  Answer »
  • The movie "Man on Fire" is based on a book of the same title by a very mysterious author. What happens to the little girl in the movie that is different from her life in the book?  Answer »
  • Which Philip K Dick book does Richard Linklater talk about at the end of Waking Life?  Answer »
More The Book of Life Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Book of Life. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The Book of Life to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?