Priest
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Movie Reviews of Priest
Movie Review: A very moral and moving film
Summary: 4 Stars
I just re-watched Priest after 12 years, and I think it is even more powerful and relevant now it was then, given the scandals in the Catholic Church and the rise of religious militancy and fundamentalism in the world.
While occasionally teetering on the brink of preachiness and soap opera, Priest is saved by tight direction and very fine acting. It effectively shows the humaness of people in the Church, as opposed to how some would have you believe.
As a person not all attached to organized religion, I obviously find much to approve of here. But the strength of Priest is that someone who loves the Catholic Church for what is really is, the teachings of Jesus, and not what cruel, irrational and ignorant human beings have made of it will find much to be enriched by here. Priest is not anti-Catholic at all, not in the true sense of the word. Rather, it is anti human folly.
Of course that segment that is fundamentalist and inflexible, who cannot imagine - horrors! - that a Priest could be gay have and will continue to express their moral outrage and call this "hate speech."
As a final note, I also happened to read Roger Ebert's inexplicible review of Priest. If I hadn't seen his name on it, I would think it was written by Michael Medved. Since Ebert is generally religion neutral and very gay positive, I simply don't understand his outrage at all - very puzzling indeed. And he gives Mel's hideous Passion of the Christ, one of the most immoral and disgusting movies ever made (again most especially if you ARE religious) a perfect 10.
Movie Review: Loved it!
Summary: 4 Stars
Priest was a thought-provoking film, made for individuals capable of rational thought. This film was intended to send a message about human nature (not just the Catholic Church or homosexuality). Most people forget that the clergy struggles everyday with the same desires and problems, as the rest of the population. Priest drove home the point, that both Father Greg and Father Matthew were hopelessly human despite their vocation. In addition, it was clear that as humans both clergymen were capable of hypocrisy. Father Greg was shocked at Father Matthew's sexual relationship with the housekeeper (Maria) played by Cathy Tyson. In turn, Father Matthew was initially appalled at Father Greg's pious devotion. I do admit laughing aloud when I found out that Father Greg was gay. Not because he was gay, but because he had been so condemning of Father Matthew's shortcomings. This movie addressed every issue of modern society and flung it back in the viewer's face for introspection. What would you do in this situation? Priest should have been longer, so that the viewer could know the fate of Father Greg and his relationship with Graham (Robert Carlyle). I wish that Tom Wilkinson (Father Matthew) had a greater role in this film. He is such a great actor, who deserves more screen time. Priest is a brilliant movie, worthy of more acclaim than has been previously given.Movie Review: a superb film, shame about the censored DVD version
Summary: 4 Stars
I just watched this film again ten years after its original release and was still absolutely gripped by it. The acting is excellent (especially Roache and Wilkinson -- it was also a delight to see a young Robert Carlyle in a very good supporting role). The themes of faith, compassion, and forgiveness are handled in complex and thoughtful ways -- never simplified or sentimentalized. For such a serious movie, it also has some hilarious moments, with witty dialogues popping up all the time to provide intelligent comic relief. I would have given the movei 5 stars were it not for the fact that the US DVD version cut over 7 minutes from the original film: including scenes that develop some minor relationships between characters, a much more realistic sex scene, more wicked humour from Father Greg later on in the film, more scenes establishing the atmosphere of the parish's day-to-day life, and -- most crucially -- a far more open ending re: the relationship between Father Greg and his lover. For those of you who own a multi-system player that plays PAL, I recommend getting the uncut VHS version from amazon.uk instead. For folks at distribution -- would you please put out a new version of the DVD that restores the original cut, and include some good extras as the previous reviewer suggests? Fans of this great film would certainly appreciate it!Movie Review: Priest - an overlooked glance at truth
Summary: 4 Stars
Linus Roache gives a commendable, even accomplished, performance as the "Priest" torn asunder by his need for faith and his need to fulfill his fleshly desires. The film moves at an even pace and is done tastefully. The movie poignantly shows both the burdens of faith and the burdens of the flesh. When the title character, in a pivotal scene, refuses to administer the eucharist to one of his "partners", the paradox becomes conundrum. Even though the motivation behind this action appears immediate, I fully suggest watching this scene alone three or four times; only then will Linus Roaches' perfomance show the true nuance of subtle understanding which the actor seems to bring to the character. This movie is worth owning for several reasons, not the least of which is its underlying tenet of truth. But, issues such as religion, faith, spirituality are fluent concepts that everyone comes to their personal terms with through thIer own personal experiences. This film encourages the audience to be challenged by the content and subject matter without truly passing harsh judgements. (The characters may judge themselves and each others' actions, but the tone of the film is more ambiguous.) Go on, challenge yourself; and do it more than once.Movie Review: Priest is movie that moves the soul
Summary: 4 Stars
This film touches the human soul. It looks at the priest hood in its human form. Linus Roache plays Father Greg Pilkington. Father Greg is going through hard times he knows he is supposed to be a priest, however his sexual urgings for men is strong. He starts a relationship with Grahm, and although he knows he is breaking his vow of celibacy he cannot stop. Sharing his home and church is father Matthew an older worldlier priest played by Tom Wilkinson, who becomes a great friend. However father Matthew is also having an affair with the live in house keeper Maria. Father Greg's problems are not just refined to his sexual orientation and relationship with Grahm. In confession he learns a horrible story by a young girl. His only choices are to stay quiet or tell and break the sanctity of confession. Staying quiet will mean the young girl continues to suffer. Through all his trials and tribulations, I grew to love Father Greg and care about the cast of characters. So if you sick of movies all about killing and death, this is a movie about life and the battle it is to live it and what it means to be human.