Chasing the Star

As CHASING THE STAR follows the Three Magi (Wisemen) on their predestined quest, instead of the epic Biblical story we're familiar with, it provides wonderfully intimate portraits of humanity caught up in larger cosmic themes of power, pride, status and duty weighed against individual choice. Though the breathtaking scenery and some very nice effects capture an arduous journey, the focus is on small moments of personal struggle, often done in poignant flashback, as each of the very different trio comes to terms with the surrender of his own dreams (and demons) to embrace the sacrifice their faith demands. From main cast to brief cameos, the acting is top notch, earnest and emotional, with refreshing hints of humor. The decisions are heartrending and real. My personal favorites: The appearance of warrior angels (no wings or halos for these all business fellows!) and the slickly seductive tempter weaving in and out of the story offering dreams like forbidden fruit. My only peeve: The sound track, though appropriate, got a bit heavy at times. A thoroughly entertaining and enlightening film I would recommend to all viewers.

I enjoyed this film and the different perspectives on the Christmas story. It was well made and the story well told.

Seriously folks with respect to human idiosyncrasies some of the reviews must have been posted by the cast and crews family and friends. Perhaps, the same ones who donated the use of their living room for the filming of the going away party scene for the movies novice Maji. As commented on by another reviewer, the acting is unfortunate, and the story for want of a better term, is a thinly woven tale that borrows more from biblical language than from biblical facts. All of which, is made even sadder by the movie's insulting lack of concern for period accuracy. The costumes were not far above what one would expect from a high school drama project, and the set design was poor enough to be shameful. The afore mentioned party scene literally takes place in a suburban living room, replete with curtained and paned windows, a slipcovered sofa with end tables, and a dining room table and chairs straight out of a Sears catalogue. Either the film makers are ignorant or they believe that the rest of us are.

I was hoping for a different perspective... but I am always open to screenplays taking license with a very "open" subject. Almost nothing is known about the (3) wise men, other than they came from the "east", they brought gifts, and they left Judea without "touching base" with Herod. If you expect and find a screenplay that is "biblically accurate", you will end up with The Passion of the Christ; nothing else in western filmography is even close. It may be useful to reread your bible, folks. What you will find here is putting some background to (three) men's lives that in no way conflicts with what is known about them. I was especially drawn to the evil that enveloped Herod. He was a real piece of work, custom made for a place in hell.

Whoever said this was biblically accurate has clearly not read the Bible.

Also, the acting was horrifically bad. By the time one of the "wise men" said, "It is what it is." I knew the movie was irredeemable.

We were hoping to love this based on the other reviews. Raised in church, went to seminary. Wanted to find a new Christmas favorite. Sadly, this is not it.

Absolutely, positively a total waste of time.