Movie Review: "Paul, Apostle Of Christ"

The movie, "Paul, Apostle of Christ", depicts the final days of the apostle Paul while he is imprisoned. It's centered around a small group of Christians in Rome, who are hiding in secret to avoid the persecution that is in full force under the Roman leader, Nero. One of the Christians in the group, headed by Aquila and Priscilla, is Luke, the physician.

As the movie proceeds, Luke decides to attempt to visit Paul, and then successfully does so even under the threat of arrest himself. As Paul recounts his life, Luke begins to write down his words, and supposedly compiles the Book of Acts. 

Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in The Passion Of The Christ, is Luke. And James Faulkner plays Paul. Both do a superb job. The casting in this movie is very well done. However, there are some real issues with this movie. 

First, the story is very slow to unfold, it drags, and is dark. Secondly, the dialogue is difficult to hear because of so much whispering by the characters throughout the entire movie. I even struggled many times trying to understand their words, and I am not hard of hearing. Anyone with hearing problems will wish this movie had closed caption!

But my main disappointed was that the movie didn't reflect on the life of Paul as it could have. This is where the movie misses the mark. Only a few times did Paul flash back on his life. But the actual Book of Acts is loaded with drama, excitement, conversions, and incredible miracles performed by Paul. If the movie only highlighted the events of the life of Paul as the Book of Acts really does, it would have been uplifting, exciting, and inspiring. Instead it dwells on what his last days hypothetically could have been like.

The scriptures show Paul as one totally devoted to Christ, who relentlessly persevered regardless of circumstance, including being beaten, stoned, flogged, and imprisoned. The Bible never tells us how Paul actually died. The movie, however, portrays Paul as someone opposite - as one who appears defeated at the end of his life. I cannot get myself to believe that his last days were anything other than him boldly proclaiming Christ to his final breath. 

My Rating:  6  (out of 10)