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Priest

Priest

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Recommended
Review: I was completely unprepared for the content of the movie because there is hardly any indication of the story on the video's cover.
I found the story highly plausible. The movie shows how unjustly homosexuals are treated by the catholic church and church goers. For anyone who has emotional ties with the church and at the same time any kind of compassion for other humans, this movie will be an eye opener.
There are only very few moments in the movie when the script seems to border on exaggeration (esp. in some sermons and in the character of the absolutely "evil" bishop - bishops usually are NOT that evil!).
The main characters (both priests) give absolutely splendid performance, which makes the movie highly enjoyable.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the GREATEST film EVER
Review: Father Greg is an orthodoks, rather strict young Catholic priest who is sent to a poor parish in Liverpool ( I think it was Liverpool...) when the old priest is sakked. Living with the older Father Matthew turns out to be quite the opposite of what he thought, Matthew caring little about the celebacy while openly having an affair with his houskeeper. Father Greg is shocked by the other priests lack of respect for the rules, but he isn't exactely a saint himself. One night he takes on his leather jacket and goes to the local gay pub, where he meets Graham. After a passionate one-night-stand, Greg flees from Grahams apartment, certain they will never meet again. But fate wants it different, and they form a tentative relashionship that suffers from Gregs constant guilt and self-destuctive thoughts. At about the same time a fourteen-year-old girl, Lisa, tells Greg her father is sexually abusing her. Greg is caught in a dilemma, for whether he keeps the ceil of celebacy and stay true to his religion, or tell someone about Lisa and ends her suffering, he will still be doing the wrong thing.

Priest has the greatest acting-performances I have ever seen, and without these the film would probably fail, since so mouch of the plot is given to the emotions showing in the actors faces. Linius Roache is absolutely great as the troubled Father Greg, whose haunted face and sore sobbing give us the emotions that words fail to describe. Even better is Robert Carlyle as Greg's lover Graham, who loves Greg but is torn between staying faithful to him and keeping his own self-respect. Their scenes together must be one of the most heartbreaking in film history. What makes Priest so incredibly stunning is how nothing is black and white, and the way Greg is torn between faith and helping an innocent child, dealing with the flaws and the cruelty within the religion that he has devoted his life to. His despair is just incredible real and heartbreaking, and you'll truly understand how a choice that to most people is obvious, can be such a vast dilemma.
Priest is the best film ever made. Charming, witty, clever, sexy, sweet, heartbreaking and touching it stole my heart....

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: So fashionable
Review: When the movie was first released, madame Bird told a French newspaper (le Figaro) that she didn't know anything about the catholic Church. What a charmingly naive way to confess she has nothing but prejudices. I also found hilarious the way she describes the gay lifestyle, not as it is, but as politically correct heterosexuals think it is. No wonder, with the script so deeply rooted in caricature, there's nothing in this movie to provoke a thought.

Which is more, I was impressed by the movie's complete lack of intelligence. For example, it would have been interesting to follow the psychological journey of the main character from his clumsy way of following the rules to his first intercourse. But don't expect any psychology here ; one minute he is an ordinary priest, the next minute he's in a gay bar. How and why did he change so suddenly ? We'll never know.

Artistically speaking, I'm not fond of the new european realistic style, but it's just a matter of opinion and other viewers can legitimately be interested in this gloomy cinematography and harsh editing, between Truffaut and Full Monty.

Finally I don't think this movie ask legitimate questions about the Church. It doesn't know what it's talking about and it completely lacks any insightful and balanced opinion. It is just based on the very average and fashionable anti-catholic prejudices, and honest search of the truth has no more its place there than it used to in the disgusting antisemitic opinions at the time of the Dreyfuss case. We had no sex scandals implying priests and children so far in France, but many implying left wing anti-catholic journalists or leaders (like Patrick Font or Daniel Cohn-Bendit). I would have a good laugh if somebody made a movie saying that being a left wing atheist makes you a potential threat to children. I had the same kind of good laugh seeing madame Bird's movie.

In short, this movie will only please you if you already agree with its dogma or, as we say in French, it will only convert those who are already believers.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Hit me baby one more time!!!
Review: Best movie ever, ever, ever...I must have died and been reborn a catholic priest myself.........oh, my oh my, what an excellent piece of work. Makes me feel so good inside.....I love this movie, that's because I love men, I love homosexuality.......I love my manliness, or lack there of...!!!! I give this movie a gazzilion, gillion-stars!!!!!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Attrocious
Review: As opposed to many other viewers who were left teary eyed at the end of this film. I was outraged.

The gay priest has no problems breaking his vows of celibacy and acting on his homosexual impulses. But he is reluctant to break the confession of a young girl (who is obviously begging him for help)who is being repeatedly raped by her own father. This is hypocrisy in its highest form. I can scarcely believe that people are sidding with this morally reprehensible man. I was hopping the entire movie the congregants would reject him for his two faced hyporcrisy. I don't know. Either this film is wrongly conceived or children just don't matter anymore.

It made me ashamed as a Christian. No wonder the secular world is disgusted with the Church.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Loved it!
Review: Priest was a thought-provoking film, made for individuals capable of rational thought. This film was intended to send a message about human nature (not just the Catholic Church or homosexuality). Most people forget that the clergy struggles everyday with the same desires and problems, as the rest of the population. Priest drove home the point, that both Father Greg and Father Matthew were hopelessly human despite their vocation. In addition, it was clear that as humans both clergymen were capable of hypocrisy. Father Greg was shocked at Father Matthew's sexual relationship with the housekeeper (Maria) played by Cathy Tyson. In turn, Father Matthew was initially appalled at Father Greg's pious devotion. I do admit laughing aloud when I found out that Father Greg was gay. Not because he was gay, but because he had been so condemning of Father Matthew's shortcomings. This movie addressed every issue of modern society and flung it back in the viewer's face for introspection. What would you do in this situation? Priest should have been longer, so that the viewer could know the fate of Father Greg and his relationship with Graham (Robert Carlyle). I wish that Tom Wilkinson (Father Matthew) had a greater role in this film. He is such a great actor, who deserves more screen time. Priest is a brilliant movie, worthy of more acclaim than has been previously given.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Linus Roache in a Performance of a Lifetime
Review: Anyone who can appreciate superb acting will marvel as Linus Roache's turn as the title character, a priest whose very life is up-ended as he confronts his inner truth and sexuality. Roache infuses his character with charm, grace and wit, while at the same time becoming everyman....not an easy accomplishment by any stretch considering how distant most religious figures are to the general population. The film soars perhaps today more than ever before, due to the relevance of its topic, especially as the Chuch itself confronts unseeming topics like child sexual abuse and the sexuality of its chosen leaders. A heartbreaking, emotional film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent film about personal responsibility
Review: For me this is first and most a film about personal responsibility. As such it had a profound effect on me. Yes, the main character Greg is a priest and the theme of the film is his homosexuality and because of his profession also religion, but all dilemmas and troubles of Greg root in this unwillingness to take responsibility for his life in his hands. As biblical proverb says: "Help yourself and God will help you'.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An incredibly well-acted, soulful drama
Review: I found this film to be one of the most incredibly well-acted films I have viewed in a long time. Linus Roache is a revelation as Father Greg Pilkington, who finds his sexual orientation conflicting with his religious faith. The film raises many issues, making the question of celibacy only one of many points. There is also hypocrisy, homophobia, shame, incest...it runs the gamut of emotions. Tom Wilkinson is also brilliant as the parish rector who is having an affair with his housemaid (Cathy Tyson). The deep-seeded condemnation of Father Greg, who truly wants to practice his religious faith but is shamed into a failed suicide attempt, is maddening. The first stone is cast repeatedly, and there are no easy conclusions. The film ends with a beautiful example of forgiveness and empathy. This is an excellent film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Loved it!
Review: This is one of my favorite films. Linus Roache and Tom Wilkinson both turn in brilliant performances. The scene where Father Greg breaks down and has it out with God is wonderful. Many people today can't seem to give themselves permission to be mad at God. His frankness in sharing his gut feelings with God is quite refreshing. However, in fairness to more conservative religious folks, I think there should be some mention of his homosexual struggle on the cover of the film. For an unsuspecting viewer, this could be quite disturbing.


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