It's not often that a film changes history, but it's just possible that Irish writer-director John Deery's righteously energetic Conspiracy of Silence just might help alter the course of 21st century Catholicism.
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The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
A challenging, thought-provoking debut that compassionately questions the relevance of celibacy in the Catholic Church.
Deery lays out a story devoid of subtlety, in which characters are too easily pigeonholed and issues exist only in absolutes.
50
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Want Jesuitical fineness of argument? Look elsewhere. This one merely answers the prayers of those looking for an argument.
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The story meanders, but the subject is timely and important.
50
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
Deery's points are well-taken, but they would have been a lot better made if he hadn't taken so many easy shots at the church by demonizing its local authorities.
50
New York PostV.A. Musetto
New York PostV.A. Musetto
Touches on issues raised in "Bad Education," but without Pedro Almodovar's flamboyant elegance.
40
Village Voice
Village Voice
Due to Conspiracy's TV-movie simplicity, it's unclear whether this is an actual issue, or just something spicy to be cooked up in the potboiler.
30
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
A well-intentioned but ultimately incompetent Irish dud.