Review of Deliver Us from Evil (2009) by Miles H — 01 Apr 2008

A really, really horrifying movie, and also the reason why I'm generally afraid of organized religion. As a study of one human monster, the pedophilic "Father Ollie", it's chilling not simply for his repulsive crimes against children, but his apparent indifference to the tragic effects of his misdeeds.

For the most part, Berg shoots him without manipulation, though there's one scene near a playground that's not only obviously staged, but feels like an irresponsible effort of the filmmaker to build cheap tension.

Berg didn't have to do this. The material speaks for itself. What's even scarier and more infuriating is the indifference of the Catholic Church officials, right up to the Vatican. I can't remember feeling such anger and indignation as I did watching Roger Mahoney, the corrupt California church official whose blind self-interest and refusal to punish Father Ollie led to the destruction of devout families, and the ruined lives of victims.

The children are not the only ones who are molested and violated here. The families who put their interest and faith in the church are literally fucked. There's no other word to convey the ugliness and outrage of what the church has done in the interest of protecting its own power.

The film is an indictment of the institution that allows such horrors to pass, and is a fine example of why I'll never commit myself or my family to organized religion. Even under the banner of God, there is malice and injustice to be found, and this documentary is brutal, honest, important evidence.