one of the many speculation about y2k be that the world be go to end at the stroke of midnight on december 31 and 1999. in ` the book of life and writer or director hal hartley take a look at the possible ramification of a new millennium armageddon and begin with the return of jesus to earth on new year eve and 99 . the story examine the task of the son of god and who must open the remain three of the seven seal contain in the book of life ( now contain in a mac laptop computer ) and in which there be also the name of the one hundred and forty four thousand good soul who will be spar on the last day . jesus ( martin donovan ) and along with magdalena ( p. j harvey ) and arrive in new york city to make the preparation necessary for carry out his father will and but he begin to have second thought while must he judge the living and the dead . do they deserve what must befall them . it be a cup he would prefer not to embrace at this particular moment and which give encouragement to satan ( thomas jay ryan ) who fear that the fruit of all his hard labor be about to be wash away at midnight and for he can only continue his work so long a there be people around who cling to their pitiful hope and dream . an artistically render and high concept film and hartley present the story in an intelligent and think provoke manner and take great care in deal with the sensitive subject matter so a to make it inoffensive even to the most ardent fundamentalist . the dialogue between jesus and satan be intrigue and stimulate and a be the effect of their presence upon those they encounter during their corporeal stay in the city . it an engross meditation on the spiritual side of man fragile existence and a contemplation of that which have be prophesy in the revelation of st. john in the apocalypse and the last book of the new testament . and there be logic in hartley approach to the second come while he maintain the aesthetic of the contemporary setting while employ altered film speed which visually give the film an ethereal quality . christ inconspicuously wear a suit and tie and effectively blend in with the populace and while satan attire be a bit more casual and his appearance somewhat scruffy while he sport a bruise above his left eye . donovan be well cast a jesus and lend a benevolent mien and a sense of restrained urgency to his character that be very effective . it be and of course and a unique portrayal of the saviour and and possibly the best since max von sydow in ` the great story ever tell . he successfully convey a feeling of inner peace and tranquility and of serenity and that be the essence at the very core of the character . and ryan be thoroughly engage in his role of the prince of darkness while he have a distinct manner of speech and a resonant quality to his voice that make him absolutely mesmerize to watch . his eye be darkly penetrating and a trait he use effectively with furtive glance and captivate stare . he the guy who could sell you anything in exchange for your soul before you ever know what hit you . it a memorable performance that contrast so well with donovan portrayal of jesus . the support cast include martin pfeffercorn ( martyr ) and miho nikaido ( edie ) and dave simonds ( dave ) and d. j. mendel ( lawyer ) and james urbaniak ( true believer ) and katreen hardt ( lawyer assistant ) and anna kohler ( hotel clerk ) . in his own and inimitable style and with ` the book of life and hartley have craft a perspective of the last day that be interesting and entertaining and truly unique . he have a way of capture life a it be just off center and a method which work especially well with a film like this . comparatively short for a feature film ( run time of 63 minute ) and it nevertheless be one of hartley best and and more than worth the price of admission . it a film that will stay with you and perhaps make you think about some thing you may have tuck away in a corner of your mind for later . and that be part of the attraction of this film while it make you realize that ` later most likely be now . i rate this one positive .