Review of Calvary (2014) by Simon M — 09 Sep 2014

Deeply disturbing yet profoundly inspiring, "Calvary" provides an unsettling glimpse into the untenable reality of the post-sex scandal Roman Catholic priesthood. Played masterfully by Brendan Gleeson, Fr. James must go about his pastoral duties not only knowing he will be murdered in a week, but actually knowing his future murderer. (It's we who must guess until the end.) The fact that this threat to his life does not derail his ministry shows the depth of his faith and vocation.

Each actor in this latter-day Passion Play displays a multi-dimensional character with complete believability, albeit to shocking effect. The villagers treat their pastor with a toxic mix of contempt and respect. At the end, the audience sat in stunned silence for several minutes (at each of the three showings I attended! Yes, I liked it that much.).

A second viewing of this masterpiece is almost indispensable to capture the nuances and symbolism. The opening and closing scenes make tight bookends for the overarching theme: forgiveness.

As a Roman Catholic priest and missionary, I applaud the truth and brutal honesty of this film. I personally know several priests who had to exercise their ministry under a constant death threat in El Salvador and Guatemala. In this regard, "Calvary" was spot on.

Any person of faith who comes away depressed does not understand the film's title whose message is clear.