A decent and honest priest, (who knew...), is beset on all sides by trials and tests of faith, none less than the confessional of an abuse survivor who gives him seven days to get his affairs in order as on the seventh day he will kill the priest, it’s almost like an anti-creation myth, on the seventh day the murderer will not rest, but will kill a good priest because who will care about a bad priest being murdered for his sins.
The priest is played by the always brilliant Brendan Gleeson.
Chris O'Dowd puts in an appearance as the cuckolded husband. Although a comedy actor he does an amazing job as a serious actor, I can actually feel his pain.
Aidan Gillen is a cynical and world weary doctor. Dylan Moran of black books fame plays a word weary and desperate millionaire. I was pleasantly surprised to see Hollywood great M. Emmet Walsh as the writer.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Calvary as I started watching it, it starts with the confessional of an abuse survivor who paints in shocking and vivid detail the abuse he suffered at the hands of a now deceased catholic priest. The irony here is that Father James, the priest he confesses to is a decent man, beset on all sides by the scorn and spite of those who have lost their faith in God and an institution that turns a blind eye to the abuse that has been going on for years.
Calvary was the site of Christ's execution and this film becomes the site of Father James crucifixion and the test of his faith in the face of hostile locals, the burning down of his church and the killing of his dog.
It’s a bleak and windswept background this tale unfolds in but for the all the bleakness there is an inherent beauty to the places in the film.
Through all this, and the testing of his faith Father James remains true to his ideals and vocation, he stands out as a character that while dogged by doubt and pain manages to rise above the cruel barbs and cares deeply and passionately about his fellow human beings, whether that's his suicidal daughter, or the rest of his flock who instead of looking for guidance look to test his faith as much as possible.
For me the setting became as much a character in the film as any of the actors. Filmed in Sligo, the backdrop is evocative of the turbulence that Father James life goes through in the seven days that lead up to his confrontation. Stormy and beautiful as only nature can be.
I think this film is a classic, and will only get better as more people come to watch and appreciate it. It deals with big issues, Faith, abuse, loss, suicide, vanity and corruption, but it always feels grounded. Brendan Gleeson plays the part of Father James impeccably, I can believe that this is a flawed human with a big heart who cares for everyone around him and in trying to do right sets him up for a confrontation with someone sworn to kill him. A man that spends what could be the last moments of his life comforting others.
This is a film about sacrifice and love for others. What I also liked about it was that it didn't hide from one of the biggest scandals the Catholic Church has ever faced, paedophiles and the hierarchies inability or reluctance to deal with those reprehensible crimes against children. Watch it, think about it and then watch it again.
(Images courtesy of google images)
