Review of Deliver Us from Evil (2006) by Chads. — 09 May 2007

For the most part, "Deliver Us from Evil" is an exemplary documentary about the abuses of the Catholic church. Late in the film, however, the filmmaker and Thomas Doyle resort to Michael Moore-tactics when they send two of Father O'Grady's abuse victims to the Vatican for an apology.

They must've known it was a certain inevitability that the two women would be sent away catharsis-free, and would now be saddled with a new psychical wound in need of healing. Doyle and the filmmaker probably didn't prepare the women for the possibility of rejection because they wanted to capture real tears on film.

This is disappointing. When Doyle is calming the two women down inside a cafe, he looks like an actor. Other than this egregious violation of trust between documentary filmmaker and subject, "Deliver Us from Evil" is essential viewing for all.

Father Oliver O'Grady, quite clearly, doesn't look at all repentant. He's like the criminal who gets away with the perfect crime and wants to share his story with an audience. He's on an ego-trip.