Review of Calvary (2014) by Alasdair B — 29 Jan 2015

This film will be viewed in two very different ways. Some people will find it to be a profound masterpiece, others will find it boring and uninteresting. It's not a film for everyone, so if you don't enjoy slow burns, you may want to pass. I'm happy to say this film is a near masterpiece, and thoroughly impressed me. "Calvary'' is directed by John Michael McDonagh and stars Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Domhnall Gleeson, and Aidan Gillen.

Father James (Gleeson) is a catholic priest who is one day threatened during a confession. The man informs him he intends to murder him next Sunday. James begins taking inquiries, talking to everyone in his church. He believes he knows who it is, but isn't quite sure. Meanwhile, James' daughter Fiona (Reilly) comes to visit from London after attempting suicide. She becomes closer to him but is still upset that he abandoned her after her mother's death when he ran off to become a priest.

This is a very well made film. It's superb on every level of filmmaking. Brendan Gleeson gives a fantastic performance in this. Perhaps it's his best performance of his career. He and director McDonagh worked on a film once before, so seeing the two team up again is great. Aside from the solid core performance and the powerful message of the film, what stands out most is the stunning cinematography by Larry Smith. The gorgeous shots of the harsh yet beautiful Irish landscapes are gorgeous. The amazing shots of Gleeson walking along the beach or upon the moors are breathtaking.

Ultimately, this is a film about forgiveness. Each character is challenged to forgive themselves. Each character struggles with something; doubt, depression, or some type psychological scaring. It's a much deeper film than it appears. If the film has one flaw it's that it does get somewhat slow now and then. It goes at a steady pace from start to finish. Despite it's slowness, the film keeps you guessing. It keeps you invested in the main character and the outcome of the situation. The characters aren't too complicated. They are by no means shallow, but Gleeson is the only truly fleshed out character here. Aside from that, this is a really impressive movie.

"Calvary'' is a simple yet very profound film. It's a movie that delves into who we are as humans. It deals with topics like politics, religion, and morality. It's very well written, acted, and directed. The score is beautiful, the cinematography is stunning, and the films subtle yet powerful messages are thought provoking.