Review of Léon Morin, Priest (1961) by Greg M — 24 Jan 2009
In Jean-Pierre Melville's great list of works, Leon Morin stands out as an oddball. It's not about criminals or war, but a small village where unusually tender-spirited priest guides lost lambs.
Being a rarity in Melville's ouevre. it also is propably his weakest film. I see no clear reason for this movie to exist, other than it may have had some deep personal importance for the director himself.
Jean-Paul Belmondo delivers an balanced, if unremarkable, perfomance as the kind priest. I'd say Melville was much more at home with Trench coats, guns, heists, smoky bars and men with little word and secret honors.
A disappointment, being a work by Melville, but rather good movie in other standards.
This review of Léon Morin, Priest (1961) was written by Greg M on 24 Jan 2009.
Léon Morin, Priest has generally received very positive reviews.
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