The life of a priest will be confronted by the anxiety and insecurity of everyone surrounding him, in this dark comedy from John Michael McDonagh director of the fantastic “The Guard”. Brendan Gleeson magnificently plays the priest who’s battling the uncountable issues falling upon him, right after he’s threatened by a man during confession, who promises to kill him. As the film opens, Father James is performing Eucharist to the members of the small village located in a gorgeous mountain-seaside remote area of Ireland. Everyone becomes a suspect, as he seeks advises from his colleagues and firmly holds on to his religious principles when facing unpredictable challenges. At the same time he’s caught up in the middle of a snowball of problems that ensue among the residents. A woman who’s been beaten by her mechanic lover; a young man who’s doubting his future and meaning of existence; a wealthy man who believes giving a large donation would grant him salvation; the gay sheriff and his eccentric lover; and the strange pals who hang around the local pub, including a doctor and a butcher. To make things worse, the arrival of his depressed daughter who’s recovering after attempting suicide, will put him on check with his past, leaving him no time to find the truth about who’s threatened him. Director McDonagh created a coherent dark comedy about faith and beliefs and through the desperation of his characters, and the strength of the protagonist, depicts reconciliation and reconnection with irreverence and sarcasm, but never becoming exaggerated or unbearably profane. Actually, Father James sees the world falling apart but remains faithful and strong, always carrying a word of comfort based on the revelations and instructions of the Holy Scriptures. Also, the atmosphere of investigative crime noir, captured by dazzling cinematography, and the aspects of a modern look on western spaghetti cooperates to the originality of the narrative. In a hilarious but crucial moment, a young man visits the Father telling his evil thoughts which he considers the result of the influence porn, technology, video games and greed have caused on him. The priest gives him directions how to proceed based on human virtues, making the scene a powerful knockout on modern behavior and the lack of compassion and respect in a consumerist era.
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