It has its moments, but it blows the interesting premise — the resurrection of Jesus told as a mystery — too early for an overlong, overly religious finale.
Bizarre bookends and an inability to conceal its modest budget with tight framing and focused storytelling also wind up adding to the film’s woes, leaving Risen too inconsistent to make good on its, admittedly, honourable intentions.
Struggles to bring any spark or freshness to a story that has been told countless times on screen before.
Although crass and clunky, Risen has sincerity on its side and Fiennes’ anguished performance lends it some welcome gravitas.
The messiah is ‘beamingly benign’ and Pilate a ‘harassed fusspot’ in this Passion of the Christ-lite.
General release. Check local listings for show times.