Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this more than once? Nah.
Score: 4.0/5
Secret ending? No, but then you already know what happens in the end, right?
Running time: 98 minutes (~1.75 hours)
“Last Days in the Desert” is a religious drama about the temptation of Christ. He comes upon an estranged father and son, and their dying mother, in the middle of the desert, and the experience literally changes him forever. It stars Ewan McGregor (Yeshua/The Devil), Tye Sheridan (Son), Ciaran Hinds (Father), and Ayelet Zurer (Mother). It is rated M-18.
It’s very rare to find a religious movie that is relatable to us mortals, since the biggest deus ex machina is on the side of the protagonists — Divine Providence. That’s why “Last Days in the Desert” is so incredible — it does such a superb job of weaving a tale that’s full of authentic tension and genuine emotion even though it’s about an omnipotent being. It tells the familiar story of the conflict between father and son, on both a mortal and a divine level. The fact that this simple truth transcends all living creatures adds to the film’s beauty and meaning, humanising Christ in a way that few films can.
Highlights
The parallels between Yeshua and the Son
It’s amazing how similar the journeys between Yeshua and the Son are, given their completely different circumstances. While it’s expected that their paths would mirror each other, this realisation only hits you much later, causing you to reflect on the events of the entire film at the end. It might seem like Yeshua is here to help the Son, but the Son is just as important to Yeshua in finding the answers he seeks.
Watching Ewan McGregor debate with “himself”
Yeshua is constantly being mocked by an evil version of himself, who is the Devil. Even though they’re both played by Ewan McGregor, he manages to differentiate the two characters who look exactly the same. There are many lengthy scenes where the two debate, but McGregor’s splendid performance means that it never feels false, forced, or cheesy. It’s a stellar portrayal of Yeshua and the Devil, and McGregor outdoes himself here with his magnificent delivery.
A moving story about fathers and sons
The universal clash between a son who’s coming of age and a father who refuses to accept that his son is a man is what the central conflict of “Last Days in the Desert” is all about. It’s such a powerful story because you can see the love that both father and son have for each other, and the tragic obstacle that stands in their paths — the male ego. And when you realise how similar Yeshua’s inner struggle is to this, you can understand why despite his infinite power, he is just like one of us.
Letdowns
Portrayal of Jesus
While Ewan McGregor’s acting is superb, the actual depiction of Yeshua seems oddly anachronistic. His clothes look far too clean and new to be that of a poor desert dweller, his shoes are strangely modern and trendy, and his character as written is too one dimensional to be a likeable character. This is what makes McGregor’s performance all the more spectacular, since he has so little to work with.
Tye Sheridan’s inconsistent accent
This is especially notable at the beginning of the film, but Tye Sheridan’s accent fluctuates from being comically thick to an American slang depending on the scene. It distracts you from what’s happening, and can get bewildering at times. Fortunately, his accent rights itself by the end of the film.
“Last Days in the Desert” is a parable for the modern age.
“Last Days in the Desert” opens in cinemas 23 June, 2016 (Thursday).
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