This film was generally very well received by critics at the time of release and as the end of the year approaches it is turning up on quite a few of the "best of" lists too. Whether it warrants this is in the eye of the beholder, but I would say that such things probably do not help the film a great deal because it is not a film so universal that the vast majority of viewers will get what they expect when they only see the high praise; okay this is not the film's fault but I think there is something to be said for putting all that to one side before coming to the film.
The plot sees Catholic priest Father James in a country parish be confronted in confession by a man who says he was sexually abused throughout his childhood by a priest, and that as a result he would take revenge by killing Father James a week from today on the beach. As the week ticks on, Father James interacts with troubled and troubling members of his community, unsure himself of what will happen on the appointed day. Within this basic frame, the "who is it and what will happen" question is part of the driver for events, but perhaps not as much as you may expect. Instead what we get are characters of different types, coming and going and interacting with Father James in scenes with lots of talking and crafted dialogue. This makes for a rather uneven and perhaps frustrating film, because it does come over a little unfocused and meandering at times.
For the most part I thought it just about worked, with the dialogue and those delivering it making it work, while in the background the weather and landscape of the Irish coast also played their part in the tone of the film. At times it is too clearly "written" and you can see it in the performances here and there, where the actors are really on rails and cannot do much but repeat the words (albeit well crafted words). The thoughtful air to the film was engaging to me, but at the same time it is often very broad and a bit too aware of itself, also occasionally being a bit jarring as it doesn't sit within its own self particularly well; but mostly, as I say, I did find it engaging. The cast is crowded with familiar faces from the very famous ones through to the less well know (I was surprised I recognized Shortt from Father Ted as instantly as I did). Everyone is of a high standard – but it is Gleeson's film and even when the tone maybe wobbles under its own weight, he is there to give it the breadth and stability of his presence and performance.
Calvary is not as good as everyone says, however it is still an interesting film for all its flaws and indulgences. Beautifully shot and run through with a contemplative tone and engaging performances, it engages for what it does and how it delivers it, even if those same things are occasionally frustrating and unsuccessful at the same time.
The plot sees Catholic priest Father James in a country parish be confronted in confession by a man who says he was sexually abused throughout his childhood by a priest, and that as a result he would take revenge by killing Father James a week from today on the beach. As the week ticks on, Father James interacts with troubled and troubling members of his community, unsure himself of what will happen on the appointed day. Within this basic frame, the "who is it and what will happen" question is part of the driver for events, but perhaps not as much as you may expect. Instead what we get are characters of different types, coming and going and interacting with Father James in scenes with lots of talking and crafted dialogue. This makes for a rather uneven and perhaps frustrating film, because it does come over a little unfocused and meandering at times.
For the most part I thought it just about worked, with the dialogue and those delivering it making it work, while in the background the weather and landscape of the Irish coast also played their part in the tone of the film. At times it is too clearly "written" and you can see it in the performances here and there, where the actors are really on rails and cannot do much but repeat the words (albeit well crafted words). The thoughtful air to the film was engaging to me, but at the same time it is often very broad and a bit too aware of itself, also occasionally being a bit jarring as it doesn't sit within its own self particularly well; but mostly, as I say, I did find it engaging. The cast is crowded with familiar faces from the very famous ones through to the less well know (I was surprised I recognized Shortt from Father Ted as instantly as I did). Everyone is of a high standard – but it is Gleeson's film and even when the tone maybe wobbles under its own weight, he is there to give it the breadth and stability of his presence and performance.
Calvary is not as good as everyone says, however it is still an interesting film for all its flaws and indulgences. Beautifully shot and run through with a contemplative tone and engaging performances, it engages for what it does and how it delivers it, even if those same things are occasionally frustrating and unsuccessful at the same time.