“Calvary”

Rated R for sexual references, language, brief strong violence and some drug use.

There have been several religious films released of late. These movies appeal to feelings of faith and encourage a transformation of one’s faith into tactile fact. They warm the soul and banish any troublesome pangs of ecclesiastical doubt. And any blasphemous questions of the wisdom and kindness of God’s actions seem unfathomable by the time the credits roll. The audience leaves the theater joyous, spiritually fulfilled, and unwavering in their solid belief that God’s will is both discernible and apparent to all but those fools devoid of God’s blessings.

“Calvary” is not one of those movies.

It is an Irish film. And it may shock my readers to learn that Ireland … or at least Irish movies … seldom dwell not on leprechauns and Londonderry birds in Glocca Morra. Things are rather fatalistic. Frank McCourt’s younger brother Alphie once wrote: “And, among the Irish, fatalism is a blessing. In times of great joy, they say, an Irishman is consoled by the knowledge, that around the next corner, a great disaster awaits.” Now take that basic tenet of the Irish soul and glom it onto Old Country Catholicism and let it tell you a story.

“Calvary” centers on a Catholic priest (Brendan Gleeson), about six decades old, near Sligo, Ireland. He was once a hard drinking, somewhat absent husband, now widowed, and has a grown daughter who had just attempted suicide. He is a good and compassionate priest, albeit very human. He and his insipid associate pastor try their best dealing with a unique menagerie of congregates.

The very first scene has Father James in the confessional. A man’s voice comes in and tells Father James in blunt language that he had been raped orally and anally by a priest from the age of 7 to 12. His abuser is now dead and the only way he can bring closure to his trauma is to kill a good priest (Father James) on the following Sunday. Father James knows who is going to kill him, but goes about his daily duties. That is not to say he isn’t struggling with the knowledge of his probable fate.

There are so many reasons not to see this movie. It is depressing; it does not entertain; it is graphic and a little profane; it does not fill one with the spirit of joy. The film’s action focuses mostly on conversations between Father James and his eccentric parishioners or his daughter; none are exactly jolly chaps one would want to chat up at the local pub. In fact we get to see that type of community activity and it nearly never ends up with the singing of a Celtic ballad and vigorous Irish step-dancing upon the pub tables. A film critic who is also a priest avoided reviewing this movie because of the distressing plot involving child abuse by priests. However, he relented and dragged himself to a viewing and was stunned. He declared it an “Excellent, excellent film.” I agree with all my heart and soul.

It is a hard film to watch, to be sure, and it is also gut-wrenchingly emotionally painful but it is mentally provocative to the point that the price of admission is a bargain.

I fully understand that this movie is chock-full of Christian allegories and metaphors, many of which I missed because Catechism school is fading into the dead, dark recesses of my memory. Yet I still appreciate the Biblical ambience imbedded in the unlikely surroundings of a small Irish village.

When I say this is an adult film for thinking people I am trying my best to warn readers that this movie requires broadmindedness. In high school, I took Logic and Philosophy from Mr. Smith, a former Catholic priest. Woe to the sallow youth with an unused brain who thought linearly and literally for such an act was an insult to God, not to mention destined for ridicule and humiliation. Seeing this movie made me thank Mr. Smith for his contribution to my education.

While watching this tremendous but disturbing film I thought of William Peter Blatty’s brilliant book Legion. Blatty asks “…whether or not a good god can exist if He tolerates such monstrous evil.” Calvary asks, “How can a good priest remain true to his faith surrounded by monstrous evil?”

Father James’ answer should humble us all.

WARNING: I grant five bow ties (out of five) to “Calvary” but please read my review before you load the church bus and head for the theater.