Full Review

What do you do in between takes on the set of "The Passion of the Christ"? If you're Francesco Cabras and Alberto Molinari, both of whom were extras in the movie, you shoot "The Big Question" (THINKfilm), a curious documentary that ponders the query: Who is God to you?

Fashioned after "Comizi d'amore" ("The Debates of Love," 1965), in which Pier Paolo Pasolini took to the streets to survey ordinary Italians about sex, Cabras and Molinari ask cast and crew members, as well as locals, what -- if anything -- they personally believe about God and religion, with the ancient Southern Italian town of Matera (where parts of "The Passion" were filmed) serving as an appropriate mood-setting backdrop.

Ranging from poignant to pretentious, the responses represent a kaleidoscope of creeds -- Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists -- in addition to New Agers, agnostics and atheists. The filmmakers' unbiased approach allows equal voice to believers and skeptics alike.

Each of the film's 12 cleverly titled segments poses a different question, linked by artsy images of a stray dog roving through Matera's deserted streets and surrounding countryside.

Adding to the overall biblical effect, many of the respondents -- none of whom is identified -- appear in costume. Roman centurions speculate and members of the Sanhedrin squabble. Even Satan (actress Rosalinda Celentano) is shown chewing over life's inscrutable mystery.

One morose gentleman enlists Shakespeare's "Macbeth" to give his nihilism a theatrical accent, but the hopelessness in his eyes speaks volumes.

There are three recognizable faces: Italian actress Monica Bellucci (who played Mary Magdalene), a bloodied Jim Caviezel (who played Christ) and the film's producer-director, Mel Gibson, who talks candidly -- if in generalities -- about returning to his Catholic faith after years of self-destructiveness, explaining how his religious convictions are underscored by a bedrock belief that man is hardwired for eternal happiness.

Many of the respondents were raised believing in God, but, for varied reasons, have come to reject (in part or outright) what they were taught, choosing in a number of cases to subscribe to materialistic interpretations of reality. (The existence of evil and suffering ranks high as a stumbling block to accepting God.) Some also make the in-vogue distinction between "spirituality" and "religion," the latter carrying a hint of condescension.

A Jesuit priest -- and recovering alcoholic -- provides thoughtful comments, though some may question his implied contention that it is arrogant for Christians to think they have all the answers. In contrast, several other Catholic priests are unapologetic in their apologia, one stating, "We have to tell the pagans ... we have something much better."

The most effective moments, however, are filled with silence, shots of furrowed brows and wringing hands, as those interviewed formulate their responses, struggling to articulate the inexpressible.

Ultimately, the film says nothing new: Some people believe; some don't. But in conveying the sincerity of the varied seekers, "The Big Question" does at least suggest that searching for God is, perhaps, the first step toward finding him.

The film, with subtitles, contains a brief drug reference. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Movies have been evaluated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's Office for Film and Broadcasting according to artistic merit and moral suitability. The reviews include the USCCB rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie.

The classifications are as follows:

• A-I -- general patronage;
• A-II -- adults and adolescents;
• A-III -- adults;
• A-IV**
• L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
• O -- morally offensive.