Mary Magdalene (2018 film)

{{Infobox film

| name = Mary Magdalene

| image = Mary Magdalene (2018 film).png

| alt =

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Garth Davis

| producer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| writer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| music = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = Greig Fraser

| editing = {{Plainlist|

Alexandre de Franceschi
Melanie Oliver

}}

| studio = {{Plainlist|

Film4{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/mary-magdalene-review-1088785|title='Mary Magdalene': Film Review|last=Dalton|first=Stephen|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 27, 2018|accessdate=August 16, 2018}}
Perfect World Pictures
Porchlight Films
See-Saw Films

}}

| distributor = {{Plainlist|

Transmission Films (Australia and New Zealand)
IFC Films (United States)
Focus Features
Universal Pictures{{cite web|title=Mary Magdalene - United Kingdom Box Office|work=Box Office Mojo|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3133966081/weekend/}}(International)

}}

| released = {{Film date|2018|2|26|National Gallery, London|2018|3|16|United Kingdom|2018|3|22|Australia|2019|4|12|United States}}

| runtime = 120 minutes{{cite web|url=http://www.diff.ie/festival/film/mary-magdalene|title=Mary Magdalene|website=Audi Dublin International Film Festival|accessdate=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428082706/http://www.diff.ie/festival/film/mary-magdalene|archive-date=April 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/mary-magdalene-film | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210062147/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/mary-magdalene-film | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 10, 2018 | title=MARY MAGDALENE | work=British Board of Film Classification}} Retrieved February 9, 2018

| country = {{Plainlist|

United States{{cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5a7cda26cf505|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603041539/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5a7cda26cf505|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 3, 2018|title=Mary Magdalene (2018)|work=British Film Institute|accessdate=August 16, 2018}}
United Kingdom
Australia

}}

| language = English

| budget =

| gross = $12 million{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Mary-Magdalene-(UK)#tab=summary|title=Mary Magdalene (2018)|website=The Numbers|publisher=Nash Information Services, LLC|accessdate=April 18, 2019}}

}}

Mary Magdalene is a 2018 biblical drama film about the woman of the same name, written by Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett and directed by Garth Davis. It stars Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tahar Rahim.

The film had its world premiere at the National Gallery in London on February 26, 2018. It was released in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2018, by Universal Pictures, in Australia on March 22, 2018, by Transmission Films, and in the United States on April 12, 2019, by IFC Films. It is the last film score completed by composer Jóhann Jóhannsson before his death.

Plot

In the year AD 30 when Judea was under the control of the Roman Empire, a woman named Mary from the small town of Magdala begins to follow Jesus of Nazareth. Her family and father try to interfere with her departing from her home, but she sends them away. She accepts baptism from Jesus and accepts his charge for her and the other apostles to baptize in the name of the Father. She appears to be fully as one with the other apostles in asserting the authority of the spirit of Jesus working through her on behalf of the followers of Jesus.

This causes conflict with the other, male disciples, including Saint Peter. Mary follows Jesus all the way to the Crucifixion and Resurrection. She tries to tell other disciples but they dismiss her. Peter says she weakened the group and Jesus and they part ways, with Mary vowing to carry on the message with her own voice.

In the closing captions, Mary is first identified as having been wrongly called a common prostitute by the early church in the first millennium. In the third millennium, she has come to be accepted as one of the followers of Jesus who was among the twelve apostles and together with them.

Cast

Rooney Mara as Mary Magdalene
Joaquin Phoenix as Jesus of Nazareth
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Peter
Tahar Rahim as Judas
Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as Martha, Mary's friend
Hadas Yaron as Sarah
Lubna Azabal as Susannah
Lior Raz as Magdala Community Leader
Ryan Corr as Joseph
Tchéky Karyo as Elisha, Mary's father
Jacopo Olmo Antinori as Magdala Man
Shira Haas as Leah
Uri Gavriel as Philip
David Schofield as Thomas
Charles Babalola as Andrew
Tawfeek Barhom as James
Tzachi Halevy as Ephraim, a potential suitor for Mary
Zohar Strauss as John
Michael Moshonov as Matthew
Ariane Labed as Rachel
Theo Theodoridis as Lazarus
Denis Ménochet as Daniel, Mary's brother
Irit Sheleg as Mary, Jesus's mother

Production

In February 2016, Rooney Mara joined the cast of the film portraying the titular role of Mary Magdalene, with Garth Davis directing the film, Universal Pictures, Film4 Productions and See-Saw Films co-produced the film, with Iain Canning and Emile Sherman serving as producers.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/rooney-mara-in-talks-to-play-mary-magdalene-jesus-christ-bible-1201694747/|title=Rooney Mara In Discussions To Play Mary Magdalene In Biopic|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Ali|last=Jaafar|date=February 2, 2016|accessdate=October 3, 2016}} In April 2016, Mara's partner Joaquin Phoenix was in talks to portray the role of Jesus Christ.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/joaquin-phoenix-eyed-jesus-christ-mary-magdalene-rooney-mara-weinstein-company-universal-1201741411/|title=Joaquin Phoenix Eyed To Play Jesus Christ In Mary Magdalene Pic|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Ali|last=Jafaar|date=April 22, 2016|accessdate=October 3, 2016}} In July 2016, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tahar Rahim joined the cast of the film.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/chiwetel-ejiofor-in-talks-mary-magdalene-will-play-peter-the-apostle-1201785939/|title=Chiwetel Ejiofor In Talks For 'Mary Magdalene'; Will Play Peter The Apostle|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Ali|last=Jaafar|date=July 13, 2016|accessdate=October 3, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/tahar-rahim-in-talks-to-play-judas-in-mary-magdalene-1201790657/|title=Tahar Rahim In Talks To Play Judas In 'Mary Magdalene'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Ali|last=Jaafar|date=July 22, 2016|accessdate=October 3, 2016}} In September 2016, Hadas Yaron joined the cast of the film.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hadas-yaron-joins-mary-magdalene-928536|title=Israeli Actress Hadas Yaron Joins Weinstein Co.'s 'Mary Magdalene' (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|date=September 13, 2016|accessdate=October 3, 2016}} Hildur Guðnadóttir and Jóhann Jóhannsson composed the film's score, the latter's final score before his death in February 2018.{{cite web|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2017/09/20/johann-johannsson-hildur-gudnadottir-to-score-garth-davis-mary-magdalane/|title=Jóhann Jóhannsson & Hildur Guðnadóttir to Score Garth Davis' Mary Magdalene|website=FilmMusicReporter|date=September 20, 2017|accessdate=September 21, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/09/mother-movie-jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-score-johann-johannsson|title=Inside the Dreamy Nightmare of Mother!'s Music-Free Soundscape|website=Vanity Fair|first=Greg|last=Noone|date=September 18, 2017|accessdate=September 21, 2017}}

Principal photography began on October 3, 2016{{cite web|url=

http://myentertainmentworld.com/cms/feature-films/page/11/|title=Mary Magdalene|website=My Entertainment World|accessdate=October 3, 2016}} and concluded on December 2, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BNgm6CzDI26/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BNgm6CzDI26 |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=registration|title=Day 74 #theend #marymagdalene #wrapparty 🎬👋🏻 #naples|publisher=Instagram|author=Le Crayon Rouge|date=December 2, 2016|accessdate=December 2, 2016}}{{cbignore}} The film was shot in Rome and in multiple locations in Southern Italy including Matera in Basilicata, Gravina in Puglia in Apulia, Trapani in Sicily and Naples{{cite web |url=http://www.italymovietour.com/en/news/the-film-mary-magdalene-and-the-beauty-of-southern-italy/ |title=The film Mary Magdalene and the beauty of Southern Italy |website=italymovietour.com |date=November 9, 2016 |accessdate=April 4, 2018}} in Campania.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/mary-magdalene-film-review-rooney-mara-joaquin-phoenix/|title='Mary Magdalene' Film Review: Rooney Mara Plays Christ's Galpal in Snoozy Epic|website=TheWrap|first=Jason|last=Salomons|date=February 27, 2018|accessdate=March 11, 2018}}

Music

Release

In February 2016, it was reported that The Weinstein Company would distribute the film.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weinstein-talks-acquire-mary-magdalene-biopic-863268|title=Weinstein Co. in Talks to Acquire Mary Magdalene Biopic|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Tatiana|last=Siegel|date=February 9, 2016|accessdate=October 3, 2016}} It was originally scheduled to be released in the United States and Canada on November 24, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/mary-magdalene-release-date-current-war-wind-river-premieres-1202046002/|title='Mary Magdalene', 'Current War' & 'Wind River' Get 2017 Release Dates From Weinstein|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=March 17, 2017|accessdate=March 17, 2017}} In August 2017, the release was pushed back to March 30, 2018.{{cite web|last1=D'Alessandro|first1=Anthony|title='Mary Magdalene' Sets Easter Weekend Debut; 'The Current War' Moves To Late November|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/mary-magdalene-rooney-mara-easter-weekend-opening-current-war-november-opening-1202153021/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 21, 2017}} In January 2018, it was pulled from the schedule.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/weinstein-company-release-date-war-with-grandpa-upside-mary-magdalene-1202263517/|title=Weinstein Company Pulls 'War With Grandpa', 'The Upside' & 'Mary Magdalene' Off Release Schedule|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Erik|last=Pederson|date=January 19, 2018|accessdate=January 19, 2018}} In March 2018, it was announced The Weinstein Company would no longer distribute the film, and the producers were attempting to find another distributor to release the film.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/garth-davis-on-how-the-mary-magdalene-team-dealt-with-the-weinstein-fall-out/5127139.article|title=Garth Davis on how the 'Mary Magdalene' team dealt with the Weinstein fall-out|website=Screen International|first=Dan|last=Jolin|date=March 5, 2018|accessdate=March 7, 2018}} IFC Films distributed the film in the United States on April 12, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ifc-films-takes-us-rights-garth-davis-mary-magdalene-biopic-1195857|title=IFC Films Takes U.S. Rights to Rooney Mara's 'Mary Magdalene' Biopic|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Etan|last=Vlessing|date=March 20, 2019|accessdate=March 23, 2019}}

The film had its world premiere at the National Gallery in London on February 26, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://whatsontheredcarpet.com/mary-magdalene-special-screening/|title=Mary Magdalene (Special Screening)|website=What's on the Red Carpet|accessdate=February 26, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226222007/http://whatsontheredcarpet.com/mary-magdalene-special-screening/| archive-date=26 February 2018}} It screened at the Audi Dublin International Film Festival on February 28, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/movie-news/rooney-mara-joaquin-phoenix-and-garth-davis-coming-to-ireland-for-audi-dublin-international-film-festival-36578430.html|title=Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix and Garth Davis coming to Ireland for Audi Dublin International Film Festival |website=The Independent |first=Aoife |last=Kelly |date=February 7, 2018 |accessdate=February 7, 2018}} It was released in Australia on March 22, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.transmissionfilms.com.au/films/mary-magdalene|title=Mary Magdalene|website=Transmission Films|accessdate=February 7, 2018}}

Reception

According to the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}}, based on 114 reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critics consensus reads, "Mary Magdalene has obvious reverence for its subject; unfortunately, it lacks enough momentum or depth of character to make her story interesting."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mary_magdalene_2019|title=Mary Magdalene (2018)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}} At Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 48 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/mary-magdalene |title=Mary Magdalene Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=April 10, 2019}}

Nick Allen of RogerEbert.com gave Mary Magdalene 4 stars, calling it "an extraordinary film" and writing that it "moved me in a way that no previous film about Christianity ever has."{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mary-magdalene-2019|title=Mary Magdalene Movie Review & Film Summary (2019)|last=Allen|first=Nick|website=RogerEbert.com|language=en|date=April 12, 2019|access-date=April 18, 2019}}

= Accolades =

class="wikitable"

!Award

!Date of ceremony

!Category

!Recipient(s)

!Result

!Ref(s)

rowspan=3|AACTA Awards

|rowspan=3|3 December 2018

|Best Actress

|Rooney Mara

|{{nom}}

|rowspan=3|{{cite web|url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/|title=Winners & Nominees - AACTA|website=www.aacta.org|accessdate=4 December 2018}}

Best Original Music Score

|Hildur Guðnadóttir, Jóhann Jóhannsson

|{{nom}}

|Best Costume Design

|Jacqueline Durran

|{{nom}}

rowspan=2|Asia Pacific Screen Awards

|rowspan=2|29 November 2018

|Best Actress

|Rooney Mara

|{{nom}}

Best Original Score