Priest

Rating:
Summary: absorbing
Review: Originally, I saw this movie about three years ago. It has remained at the top of my list ever since. Absorbing, heart-wrenching; just the type of turmoil that I expect that some priests encounter during the course of their ministry. I'm glad that someone was willing to share the secret.

Rating:
Summary: Touching story of chaotic mentality in the silent church
Review: Not only a story for a gay priest, but also a narration of a grey life for human beings!

Is the father (the father of the daughter?) evil? Or is the rule of survival evil? People wonder what is the justice & fairness in the world if there exists...

I think the conflict comes from the chaotic mentality, inside the mind of the priest, inside the souls of human beings.

Rating:
Summary: PRIEST doesn't pull punches
Review: This movie may be hard to watch for some, but well worthwhile. The plot winds quite unexpectedly and tries to honestly deal with the issues of priestly celibacy, faith and doubt, homosexuality, child abuse, the secrecy of the confessional, and liberal vs. catholic theology, all in one movie! But most importantly, it is a story of grace with an ending that had me shedding some tears for the human condition, and the hope for healing that can be found even in a less-than-perfect Church. END

Rating:
Summary: An effective, thought-inducing film experience!
Review: A take-it-or-leave-it drama, "Priest" is not your everyday religious examination film. It deals more with issues considered taboo by the church, such as homosexuality, incest, and the judgmental society. Some people may even lose interest from it; this is not a movie for everyone. But, it does leave a lasting impression in the mind, raising up questions and debates about religion that even the film itself does not resolve.

The film begins with a man carrying a cross from the church to the home of the Bishop, who has replaced him with a newcomer to Liverpool. Greg Pilkington (Linus Roache), a conservative man of the cloth, arrives and is appalled that fellow priest Matthew Thomas (Tom Wilkinson), relinquishes celibacy and has a relationship with their black housekeeper. This puts a small strain on their growing friendship, but it gives way once bigger conflicts begins appearing.

Just as Father Matthew avoids celibacy, Greg breaks the vow by going to a pub and picking up (surprise) a man, going back to his place, and having a one-night stand. Once his homosexuality is revealed to us, the movie takes on a much bigger challenge of mixing religious persecution and moral beliefs, as Greg must choose between keeping his vows of faith or revealing his secrets.

Greg's homosexuality is handled in many different ways, and seen in many different views and opinions, including his own of himself. Once it becomes known that their priest is gay, the members of the congregation begins to dissipate, and even the Bishop asks him to leave, even as Father Matthew pleads with them to be compassionate. This prejudice and hate makes way for some very nice introspective into the hypocrisy that permeates the church and its followers ("Let he who is without sin cast the first stone").

It is Greg's own inner torment that heightens the movie to an emotional level. He establishes the fact early on that he considers his own lifestyle to be sinful, yet he cannot stop thinking about being with a man. He begins to rationalize with a crucifix in his room over what is right and wrong; his inner conflicts with himself are powerful and moving, and just as he asks God for an answer, we find ourselves asking the same question.

His inner torment extends to other situations as well. In a very intriguing side story, a young girl named Lisa reveals that her father sexually abuses her, putting Greg on the spot of whether to break the vow of confession or keep these truths hidden. The situation gets very tense as Greg begins tearing himself apart inside. Not only is he fighting his own personal war, but someone else's, someone with whom he will find comfort at the film's heart-stopping finale.

The only flaw that blemishes this film's beauty is the way in which it showcases Father Matthew as a gay rights activist during the movie's third act. He invites Greg to stand with him for a service, which causes an uproar among the parishioners. He then proceeds to invite people to leave the church. His words here seem more like demands than pleas, sounding just a bit, well, preachy.

It is the flawless performances of the cast that really bring home the emotion throughout this film. Linus Roache gives one of the best performances of 1995 as Father Greg, torn between himself and his vows to the church. He brings true emotion to the role, so much so that we believe in his character and his fears. Tom Wilkinson is convincing as Father Matthew, whose open-minded thinking serves as a beacon of light for Greg. Wilkinson is blunt and forceful, a brilliant mix.

"Priest" is a highly controversial film about religion and sin, about taking a stand for ones beliefs or backing down in fear, and ultimately about facing that fear. We can believe in Greg's pain because we have all experienced a situation like his. And whether or not you may agree with the movie's message, or however bad you may consider it to be, a movie that makes you think about so many issues for days after you see it cannot be bad.

Rating:
Summary: You will be moved (possibly in spite of yourself)
Review: You will be hard-pressed to find a more deeply moving ending, regardless of your political/religious views. For me, the film is not so much a commentary on specific sin than one on how knowledge/exposure to another's sin is corrosive to the will power of those around him, the truth about the brokeness of all humanity, and the healing power of unconditional love. It seeks to stir questions and thought rather than sermonize and succeeds.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Look At Catholicism!
Review: This movie is whats wrong with most organized religions. There unablility to adapt to a modern world. This kind of thing goes on in ALL religions. It seems as though The Roman Catholic Church is always mentioned more. The actors, & actresses are quite good. It also proves GOD loves Gay people as well. This was a great British movie to see! Way to go BBC! The movie featured people who looked thier character! Purchase this movie it is well worth the $$$! It pulls at all what torment it must be to be a Priest.

Rating:
Summary: Priest is movie that moves the soul
Review: This film touches the human soul. It looks at the priest hood in its human form. Linus Roache plays Father Greg Pilkington. Father Greg is going through hard times he knows he is supposed to be a priest, however his sexual urgings for men is strong. He starts a relationship with Grahm, and although he knows he is breaking his vow of celibacy he cannot stop. Sharing his home and church is father Matthew an older worldlier priest played by Tom Wilkinson, who becomes a great friend. However father Matthew is also having an affair with the live in house keeper Maria. Father Greg's problems are not just refined to his sexual orientation and relationship with Grahm. In confession he learns a horrible story by a young girl. His only choices are to stay quiet or tell and break the sanctity of confession. Staying quiet will mean the young girl continues to suffer. Through all his trials and tribulations, I grew to love Father Greg and care about the cast of characters. So if you sick of movies all about killing and death, this is a movie about life and the battle it is to live it and what it means to be human.

Rating:
Summary: MARVELLOUS
Review: I am not going to write a long review or reveal the theme of the movie. The only thing I have to say is, I have not seen such a wonderfully done and realistic movie for years and years.
If you want to see something that is beyond level of most of the movies today, get one and watch it. This will sure brighten you up.

Rating:
Summary: Priest - an overlooked glance at truth
Review: Linus Roache gives a commendable, even accomplished, performance as the "Priest" torn asunder by his need for faith and his need to fulfill his fleshly desires. The film moves at an even pace and is done tastefully. The movie poignantly shows both the burdens of faith and the burdens of the flesh. When the title character, in a pivotal scene, refuses to administer the eucharist to one of his "partners", the paradox becomes conundrum. Even though the motivation behind this action appears immediate, I fully suggest watching this scene alone three or four times; only then will Linus Roaches' perfomance show the true nuance of subtle understanding which the actor seems to bring to the character. This movie is worth owning for several reasons, not the least of which is its underlying tenet of truth. But, issues such as religion, faith, spirituality are fluent concepts that everyone comes to their personal terms with through thIer own personal experiences. This film encourages the audience to be challenged by the content and subject matter without truly passing harsh judgements. (The characters may judge themselves and each others' actions, but the tone of the film is more ambiguous.) Go on, challenge yourself; and do it more than once.