The Second Coming (3 Stars)

This is a difficult film for me to rate. The acting is excellent, especially Christopher Eccleston and Mark Benton. My fault with it is the heavy philosophy laid on us by the writer, Russell T. Davies. My rating is as much my opinion on his religious views as the film itself.

Steven Baxter is a normal, everyday guy who works in a video store in Manchester. After a night out with his friends he has a divine revelation and disappears. 40 days later he's found in Yorkshire, claiming to be the Son of God. His friends think he's gone mad, but he's approached by a representative of the Catholic Church, who says that an obscure prophecy has predicted his coming. Over the next few days Steven performs a series of miracles, and everyone believes in him. Almost everyone. Steven's girlfriend Judith can't accept what he says.

Steven proclaims that Judgement Day will take place in five days. The only way to prevent it will be to write a Third Testament, a new religious book. He doesn't know who the author will be, but he says that he will recognise it when he sees it, so millions of people begin to write as fast as they can. But the Devil isn't idle. Demons possess people around him, with the intention of turning Steven's closest friends against him.

The message is clear. Friedrich Nietzsche said that God is dead. Russell T. Davies says that God isn't dead, but he ought to be. RTD (as Doctor Who fans affectionately call him) tries to offer something to fill the God-vacuum, but it's not enough to cover the negativity. That's my opinion, anyway. I welcome conversation from anyone who sees this film differently.