Customer Reviews

Priest [VHS]

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

At its core, "Priest" is a thoughtful examination of faith, conscience, and feeling and how those concepts can sometimes conflict with dogma, ideology, and tradition ... more simply put, spirituality versus religion. As a long-term associate of an Interfaith agency (and someone who deals with persons from many different faith communities), I found the characters and plot realistic, and was gratified that the script offered no easy answers to the dilemmas it presented. Real life is often messy; the film demonstrates that there are times when an ideal moral choice is neither clear nor even possible, and that a religious calling does not exempt one from the temptations and foibles of being human. These same tensions have been approached (usually as subplots) in many films over the years, including "The Song of Bernadette" (1943), "The Keys of the Kingdom" (1945), and "The Left Hand of God" (1955); "Priest" pushes the envelope by exploring these themes in the context of sexual situations within the Church.

The DVD transfer is beautiful, offering clear and crisp video and sound. The film features a superb performance by Linus Roache, and some very artful editing (with the exception of a couple of spots in which it's obvious that scenes have been snipped by the censors' scissors). I would have liked a few extras on the DVD, like an interview with the director and/or screenwriter, and perhaps some balanced coverage of the controversy the film has generated since its release. A theatrical trailer would also have been welcome. (How was this volatile film marketed, both in the USA and abroad?)

These missing features aside, this movie (to date) is not frequently screened on US cable or broadcast television, and I welcomed the opportunity to see it, and to be moved by it.

If you're a Bostonian like me, chances are you must be sick to death of the nonstop media coverage of the priest abuse scandals. But with all that's going on in the Catholic church, a movie like "Priest" is even more vital now than ever. In one of the most underrated performances ever, Linus Roache is Father Greg, who, upon being newly assigned to a British parish, gets caught in a web of drama involving child abuse, sexuality, the sacrament of Confession, and the priestly vow of celibacy. Without revealing spoilers, "Priest" confronts some pretty throny issues lesser films would dodge. It also has great performances from Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson ("In the Bedroom") and Robert Carlyle, who shows not a trace of the frightening intensity he brought to his role in "Trainspotting." The film borders on sentiment during a scene when they play "You'll Never Walk Alone," but otherwise, it's a pretty solid affair. While Miramax spends millions of dollars hyping to death more mainstream films like "Chocolat" and "Cider House Rules," "Priest" gets the shaft on DVD. There are virtually no features on this package. Even so, this film is worth a look, for it is one of the very best movies of the 1990s.

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.

I just watched this film again ten years after its original release and was still absolutely gripped by it. The acting is excellent (especially Roache and Wilkinson -- it was also a delight to see a young Robert Carlyle in a very good supporting role). The themes of faith, compassion, and forgiveness are handled in complex and thoughtful ways -- never simplified or sentimentalized. For such a serious movie, it also has some hilarious moments, with witty dialogues popping up all the time to provide intelligent comic relief. I would have given the movei 5 stars were it not for the fact that the US DVD version cut over 7 minutes from the original film: including scenes that develop some minor relationships between characters, a much more realistic sex scene, more wicked humour from Father Greg later on in the film, more scenes establishing the atmosphere of the parish's day-to-day life, and -- most crucially -- a far more open ending re: the relationship between Father Greg and his lover. For those of you who own a multi-system player that plays PAL, I recommend getting the uncut VHS version from amazon.uk instead. For folks at distribution -- would you please put out a new version of the DVD that restores the original cut, and include some good extras as the previous reviewer suggests? Fans of this great film would certainly appreciate it!

I saw this film when it was first released and was quite impressed with its emotional strength and deep sincerity. Having bought it now in DVD format, I was shocked to see that the beautiful, sexy and lyrical love scene between Linus Roache and Robert Carlyle was drastically cut by some censor. Was this done with Antonia Bird's approval? I was amazed and outraged, as that scene, as originally played, could easily be included among the best love scenes of all time.

I feel those who condemn this film as anti-catholic are actually missing the point. The film is heretical not blasphamous. Not once does it question the existence of God or the importance of the Priesthood. Instead it is about the heavy burden placed on the shoulders of those who serve the church. Priests who are sent out into the real world but expected to behave like Monks living in a closed order. The criticism is of a church imposing celibacy on Priests as if sex is a distraction to faith. What the film tries to portray is that the opposite is true. Good Priests whose whole energy is directed towards remaining celibate. Jimmy McGovern is himself a practising Catholic and to just dismiss his work as an attack on religion is ridiculous. I actually found the film strangely religious. The scene of Father Greg ranting at the crucifix at the same time the abusive Father was discovered was like a moment of divine intervention.

I rented this movie for the fact that I loved the movie The Full Monty and there were quite a bit of Monty players within this movie. The movie's plot as is follows --an old priest is 'let go' and young Father Greg takes his place. Father Greg appears to be a rather orthodox Catholic priest until later in the film, we find out that Father Greg is gay. He is not comfortable with this fact -- feeling it is filled with sin. He struggles with this fact through out the whole movie as he also struggles with the fact that someone has confided a fact with him in confession and Father Greg desperately wants to do something about it, but can not, according to the seal of the confession. This movie at times made me laugh, at times made my stomach tie up in knots and at times, made me cry. Sob, in fact. I, myself, have been through a similar situation and found this movie a fabulous portrayal of the situation. It is touching, moving, utterly wonderful. It was not a happy ending movie, but neither are a lot of similar situations. I had rather wished for a happy ending, but maybe it was not in the cards. However, this movie is brilliantly acting, especially Robert Carlyle, who gives a movingly compassionate performance as Graham, Father Greg's gay lover. Antonia Bird is a simply great director of this film, as I'm sure she is of her other movies that I now want very much to see. This film, not only deserves 5 stars, it deserves about 3 more...absolutely fabulous...

The striking opening sequence of 'Priest' depicts an enraged elderly cleric, having learned he is being pushed into retirement, utilizing a large crucifix as a battering ram and raiding the offices of the bishop; the climax of the film is one of the most powerful, emotionally shattering scenes I have ever seen, imbued with forgiveness and redemption and humanity at its shining best, courageously in the face of humanity at its self-righteous worst. In between is a searing indictment of the outdated practices of the Catholic Church and its breeding of intolerance and hate. Father Greg Pilkington (portrayed with astonishing clarity and mesmerizing, gut-wrenching passion by Linus Roache) is a young, idealistic priest who is more than a little put-off by his unorthodox partner, Father Matthew Thomas (a wonderful performance by the great Tom Wilkinson), who sings karaoke at the neighborhood pub and sleeps with the housekeeper. But Father Greg's smug little world soon begins to spin out of control as he attempts to deal with his own homosexuality and with a heartbreaking secret learned by him in the confessional. Roache's breathtaking performance is palpable and eloquently harrowing as Father Greg becomes more and more tortured by guilt and grief. Also in the film, in a winning, endearing turn, is Robert Carlyle (one of Wilkinson's cohorts in 'The Full Monty') as Graham, the object (and the victim) of Father Greg's affection. 'Priest' is a remarkable and revelatory piece of work, intelligent and gripping and deeply felt. Highly, highly recommended.

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.

I bought this film having absolutely no clue as to what this movie was about. Judging by the jacket, I thought I was sitting down to watch a Steven King type "priest battles demon" plot. About 1/2 hour into this movie I knew exactly what I was watching and for the next hour or so, went through an array of emotions ranging from anger at the turmoil this man had to endure at the hands of "man-made rules", frustration at watching this man struggle between his vows and his human conscience in order to protect a child, disheartenment at the way this man was ultimately ostracized by his fellow man, and sadness that it took the innocence of a child to grant this man ultimate forgiveness and acceptance. I would love to see this film remade into an American version. I believe if well directed and cast it would make for academy award material. For those of you who think otherwise, this is no anti-catholocist movie. If you can look beyond the seemingly, and maintain an open mind, you will see that this movie goes far beyond the obvious multi- controversial issue theme. This movie is deep, thought provoking and emotionally stirring. The bottom line is humility + fallibility + forgiveness=HUMANITY.... lest ye be judged.