I have read all of the comments posted here, and no one has seen this film as I myself did. Of course, I could be way off-base.......but for me this film did a much better job of portraying the Gospel of Jesus than "The Passion of The Christ" (a film I didn't care for at all). The symbolism is everywhere: Jack Fate's mother's name is Mary. When Angela Bassett says something about 'waiting for him to return' the camera shows the fireplace with a metal cross in front of it. When Jack Fate is asked if he will be back (by Cheech Marin), he states "I've been back." His dying father is behind a curtain (the curtain that was in front of the altar in the ancient Jewish temple). Mickey Rourke is the devil that wants to rule the world. Luke Wilson is Peter (defending Jack Fate the way Peter cut off a guard's ear in the Garden of Gethsemane......then fleeing). Jeff Bridges is the archetype for the Pharisees, with all the trick questions they placed to Jesus. Jack Fate is silent, like a lamb led to the slaughter, knowing that his words will not make a bit of difference anyway (notice the scapegoat in Val Kilmer's animal menangerie, along with the sacrificial lamb.....er, Easter bunny....). Jeff Bridges's girlfriend represents the devout Jews, with their rituals and prayers, who weeps when the Law (represented by Jeff Bridges) is no more. Jeff Goodman may represent Christianity today (not a pretty picture, is it?). The religious symbolism is in every frame, every line of dialogue throughout this film. I disagree with the critics who feel that this movie was thrown together in a haphazard fashion. Instead, I feel every scene has tremendous meaning (little girl singing to Jack Fate.....ah, let the little ones come unto me. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it).
Then again, maybe it's just about Dylan.
Then again, maybe it's just about Dylan.