Jesus Depicted as Normal Boy With Extraordinary Gifts in ‘The Young Messiah’

Sandra Miska

Just in time for Easter comes “The Young Messiah,” a biblical drama that tells the story of the journey of Jesus (played by Adam Greaves-Neal) and his family from Egypt to Israel. Jesus is introduced as a seven-year-old boy who, not surprisingly, doesn’t fit in with the other children very well. Although no one outside of his family is aware of his status as the son of God, others sense something is special about him and make him a target of their bullying. After an incident with Jesus and a particularly vile boy ends with the troublemaker tripping over an apple and falling dead, the boy’s parents and other neighbors respond angrily, to say the least. Jesus manages to bring the boy back to life but this act only exasperates the situation. His family of craftsmen, which include his loving mother Mary (Sara Lazzaro), her protective husband Joseph (Vincent Walsh) and Mary’s jovial brother Cleopas (Christian McKay) make the decision to return home to Israel, where they have been in hiding for the past seven years, from Egypt.

The film expands on the stories from the Bible about the early life of Jesus. After news of the birth of a messiah in Bethlehem reached King Herod, he ordered his soldiers to kill all baby boys in that town, but Jesus, Mary and Joseph manage to escape. Herod is now dead, but his vapid son, also named Herod (Jonathan Bailey), has heard rumors of the young messiah and sends veteran soldier Severus (Sean Bean) to hunt down the boy and finish the job that his father started. Severus, a hardened man who has seen a lot in his time, treats the assignment like any other job.

Jesus, meanwhile, who is unaware of who he truly is, begins to ask questions causing his parents to debate whether or not it’s time to reveal to him the truth. Glimpses of the man he becomes are shown, most significantly when he heals his sick uncle Cleopas. He also shows compassion when he convinces his family to take under their protection a young enslaved woman who has been a victim of rape by the Roman soldiers. The young boy soon feels compelled to be in Jerusalem for Passover, and his parents and uncle agree to make the trip with him, unaware that dangers awaits.

“The Young Messiah” does an excellent job of painting the holy family as a normal one except for the fact that the son is the messiah. Sara Lazzaro stands out as Mary, a woman from an ordinary background who is given an enormous responsibility at a young age. Her relationship with her son, who is depicted as her only child, is the heart of the story.

“The Young Messiah” will no doubt resonate with Christian audiences who will appreciate director Cyrus Nowrasteh’s exploring a period in the life of Jesus that is often overlooked. However, one does not have to be a Christian to relate to the film’s themes of families and parenting in unique situations. And, of course, there’s Sean Bean.

“The Young Messiah” is based on the novel “Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt” by Anne Rice, author of a very different novel that was also adapted into a film, “Interview with the Vampire.”

“The Young Messiah” opens nationwide March 11.