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The Book of Life (1998)

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Movie Info

Hal Hartley directed this French-produced comedy about the Second Coming of Christ (Martin Donovan), with Thomas Jay Ryan in the role of Satan. While a gambler (David Simonds) and a waitress (Miho Nikaido) talk with Satan in a hotel bar, Jesus arrives at JFK airport with Magdalena (PJ Harvey). Jesus has been sent down to end the world by breaking the Seven Seals on a computer disk in a bowling alley locker room. Made in digital video blown up to 35mm, this film is part of the French "Collection

Unrated, 1 hr. 3 min.

Art House & International, Comedy

Hal Hartley

Nov 7, 2000

Cast

All Critics (14) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)

Anything touched by PJ Harvey is bound to be worth the trouble; even better, Hartley has made one of his better, least grating films.

August 29, 2004 Comment
Nick's Flick Picks

Jesus-who's-come-again asks Himself soul-searching questions in what might've been called The Lack of Passion of the Christ.

April 7, 2004 Full Review Source: Mixed Reviews | Comment

Hartley always underplays things, even when the world's about to end.

March 5, 2002 Full Review Source: MovieMartyr.com | Comment
MovieMartyr.com
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Book of Life

Interesting low budget existential drama.

July 9, 2008
threefolddado

Super Reviewer

Not the best of Hal Hartley. Some dialog was brilliant but overall the movie didn't work for me - it was rather boring and not really that funny.

April 10, 2011
GabrielKnight
Gabriel Knight

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