Review of Deliver Us from Evil (2009) by Jeff C — 09 Jun 2007
Holy Jesus in heaven was this movie a knockout! Among the best documentaries I have ever seen, this movie was incredibly moving, and horrifying as all get out along the way. The film is, in essence, a dissection of child molestation within the Catholic Church using the case of Father Oliver O'Grady in California as a representative case study.
Through interviews with the victims, their families, and, most fascinatingly, O'Grady himself, plus archival footage, the film presents a story of crime and cover-up that will chill you to the bone.
The film is careful not to just demonize O'Grady. Everyone knows he's a "bad guy" here, there's no argument there. The real culprits, as the movie so pointedly demonstrates, were those who facilitated and hid his crimes.
Some of the interviews with the families and victims were absolutely heartbreaking. Meanwhile, the natural charm, pleasantness, and generally cheerful demeanor of O'Grady in his interviews was shocking.
It was hard to believe that the "nice old man" you're watching molested, raped, and otherwise violated over 100 children. The movie works as a character study as well as an explosive expose.
I highly recommend it.
This review of Deliver Us from Evil (2009) was written by Jeff C on 09 Jun 2007.
Deliver Us from Evil has generally received very positive reviews.
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