The Presence of God (SPOILERS)

As in the title: SPOILERS BELOW.





I think it's about halfway through the movie (don't know for sure; wasn't really keeping track of time) when Rodriguez sees his face turn into Christ's face and later on when he hears God speak to him. And this is (going on these messages boards) a major point of discussion in and of itself, about the possible hallucination or the real message or what Scorsese was doing there.

But, I feel like what's missed (or is not being talked about) is the subtler ways God is "shown" earlier in the film. Anybody else notice how many shots are looking straight down? I get the feeling that this is Scorsese telling us (not even very subtly) through his cinematography that these actions are being seen, felt, heard, and judged by God.

I would love to re-watch the film and pay close attention to what moments are captured from a "human" perspective and when Scorsese chooses to elevate his camera and show us a view from the Divine.