Martin Scorsese’s controversial passion project would probably have a far greater impact on a person of faith – whose beliefs could be challenged, questioned, or enforced by it – but it doesn’t really have that effect on me, so I can only look at its merits as a film. Scorsese is, of course, a master filmmaker, and he has crafted some very powerful moments and arresting visual imagery, and there are some strong, earnest performances, especially from Willem Defoe. But Paul Schrader’s screenplay is melodramatic at times, and bogged down by long stretches of philosophical discussion. A fascinating, but very flawed film. Effective score by Peter Gabriel.