Passion Play

I know it's hip to slam 2010's "Passion Play," maybe because Megan Fox is an easy target, but the film doesn't deserve it. This is a reverent drama with outlandish aspects and a profound ending.

THE PLOT: Nate Poole (Mickey Rourke) is a down-on-his-luck musician in the Southwest who gets on the bad side of a mob boss, Happy (Bill Murray). In his flight he stumbles upon Lily (Fox) at a carnival, a "freak" with wings. They discern a deep connection and take off together with Happy & his hoods on their trail.

The film is very similar to 2008's "The Wrestler," which also starred Roarke. In both films Rourke plays a languishing has-been. In both films he struggles with his love for a young woman. In "The Wrestler" it's his daughter; in "Passion Play" it's an exceptional young woman with whom he has a love connection.

What surprised me is Fox' acting. She's known for playing the stereotypical hot chick, but here she plays a sweet, innocent woman struggling with an abnormality, and she does it very convincingly.

Also, Rourke (Nate) and Fox (Lily) have good chemistry. Yes, Nate is about 30 years older than Lily, but – it doesn't matter – their connection is real, sort of like Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in "Lost in Translation."

The score is reverent and moving and fits the tone of the film.

The ending is both surprising and effective, even though there are obvious clues. See "COMMENTARY ON ENDING" below.

The film was shot in New Mexico and runs 94 minutes.

GRADE: B

***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read until you've seen the film)

COMMENTARY ON THE ENDING: Although some interpret the ending to mean the bulk of the story is Nate's death dream, it more likely indicates that Nate was in some type of purgatorial spiritual realm where God offers a second chance for the lost. Nate passes the test and is ushered into eternal bliss. Since it's some type of spiritual realm where God is sovereign, the reality may be set-up in a holographic sense, similar to Star Trek's Holodeck. In that case, the people Nate experiences aren't real at all; they're there simply as a part of Nate's test.

At any rate, the ending gives the story purpose in an eternal scope. Instead of some silly fantasy about a hard-luck musician meeting some ultra-beautiful woman with wings who learns to fly while simultaneously delivering the man from some serious heavies (why sure!), the story becomes a tale of eternal redemption for a languishing dumb bastage who foolishly messed around with a mob boss' wife.

At the end you see Nate smiling with true joy as the angel sweeps him off to heavenly bliss. God gave him a second chance at redemption and he escapes this piece-of-sh** world.

Cut to the bottom, The cast amazed me like crap!. Never thought mickey nor Megan can ever act like this!! Trust me, This is no joke!...

You don't wanna know what other people say or think about this flick until you watch it by your own eyes. I know... Reviews and critics gives some touch but you need to understand that it differs by person to person.

I didn't expect an Oscar or Globe class story line in this movie(Nor it delivered) but plain simply, This movie took the level of actors who we thought "boring!" into a "What?!She/He can act like that?!" level! It was NOT boring from the start and contained an original script with the touch of Bill Murray which somehow worked like a charm. I got no bad things to tell about Megan Fox's acting as i mentioned above.

I never wanted to make reviews just like others do. just give it a plain look will ya! ;) "Every movie deserves a watch and that's how it suppose to be"

this movie was never intended to be a big film. I didn't read any reviews in entirety only to see if it had any positive feedback which gave me a go for watching it. I was really fooled by the ending where it all came together. The acting was mostly good, but sets could have been a little better. I was involved in the story and felt the love between Lily and Nate. I was surprised by Megan's good acting in it. She played it nicely without a lot of dialog for her to point out her flaws. The director did a good job of inserting her for loss of a better term.

I'd recommend this highly without reservation, but would suggest lowering your expectation level if you looking for high end type film. Perfect for DVD...and I definitely would have seen it an art house theater without disappointment.

Don't know why but i liked this movie. i cant defend it so i wont you either like movies like this or you don't. i found it easy to watch and i really like mickey rourke he was perfect for this sad puppy clinging to life and its bitter truths. megan fox although i have not seen her in much was very beautiful and angelic. but for what it worth i do think critic on this medium where a bit harsh,and mean spirited on a film thats was made for the a limited crowd. bill murry i was going to say something very cleaver but alas all i can say is a very gifted actor. the blu-ray was very disappointing with no extras or commentary. there is no reason for a new release in 2013 to have nothing on the disk and on a blu-ray thats just unforgivable.

Don't know why most of the critics have lambasted the movie. It was a nice and entertaining movie, good story, all the actors have played their part beautifully. Megan Fox for once have shown some acting skills, Mr. Rourke is good and Bill Murray as always was excellent. The story was good, a bit predictable about the action Rourke will take. I was a bit surprised with the ending but that last smile on Mickey Rourke's face was enough to tell what was going through the entire movie.

I have read about what happened with the movie in TIFF and what Mr Rourke have said about the movie. But if anyone is thinking to watching this movie should first through these comments out of the mind. Watch this movie without any prejudice. All in all if someone will spend his one and half hour to watch this movie that will be spent good.