Watch Jesus of Montreal

Set in modern-day Montreal, Jesus of Montreal is an insightful, provocative film that follows a group of actors who challenge the established order by staging a controversial reinterpretation of the Passion of Christ. As a result, they soon find themselves questioning their beliefs and facing the harsh realities of a society that is unwilling to tolerate dissent.

The film focuses on Daniel (Lothaire Bluteau), a young actor who is cast as Jesus in a Catholic church's annual Passion Play. As Daniel immerses himself in the role, he discovers that there is more to the story than meets the eye, and he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the church's teachings. In order to give the Passion a fresh and authentic perspective, Daniel recruits a group of fellow actors to help him stage a radical new version of the play.

At first, the group's efforts are met with resistance from the church and the authorities, who view their interpretation as sacrilegious and subversive. However, as the actors delve deeper into the story of Jesus, they begin to see parallels between his life and the struggles of modern-day society. As they grapple with issues of faith, love, and justice, they are forced to confront their own prejudices and biases, and to question whether their art has the power to effect real change.

Throughout the film, director Denys Arcand juxtaposes scenes from the Passion Play with contemporary Montreal, highlighting the contrasts between religious tradition and the realities of modern life. He also draws heavily on Christian iconography, incorporating images of the crucifixion, the Last Supper, and the Resurrection into the story.

The performances in Jesus of Montreal are uniformly strong, with Bluteau delivering a nuanced and deeply empathetic portrayal of Daniel. Catherine Wilkening plays Mireille, a member of the group who becomes romantically involved with Daniel, while Johanne-Marie Tremblay excels as Constance, a fierce and outspoken actress who challenges the established order at every turn.

One of the film's strengths is its willingness to explore complex and controversial issues without resorting to simplistic answers or polemics. The characters are multi-dimensional and flawed, and their struggles feel authentic and relatable. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the Passion Play is not just a retelling of an ancient story, but a reflection of the ongoing struggle for social justice and human dignity.

Overall, Jesus of Montreal is a thought-provoking, emotionally resonant film that deftly navigates the boundaries between art, religion, and social commentary. Its powerful themes and excellent performances make it a must-see for anyone who is interested in exploring the intersections between faith, politics, and culture.

Jesus of Montreal is a 1989 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.