UnowPriceless
hyped garbage
InformationRap
This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.
Roman Sampson
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
schizoshua
This movie is just so great the acting is pristine and the plot is interesting it's almost a thrilling drama YES
elliest_5
I grew up in a place and time when "The Thorn Birds" (1983 mini-series adaptation of a novel about a Catholic priest's forbidden love) was so hugely popular that, for at least a decade afterwards, references to and re-makes/adaptations of this premise kept popping up without losing the audience's attention. I mean, as far as "forbidden love" goes, this kind of premise is extremely advantageous: there's high stakes, there's tension, there's existential angst and crisis of faith, moral dilemmas and heartbreak...You'd think it almost can't go wrongBut apparently it can, and it did in this film, which is SO bland and uninspired it's painful to watch.The young (uber-hunk) priest is struggling with grief and a general lack of faith, but only in words. He repeats "I'm struggling with grief and a general lack of faith" several times throughout the film, but he totally fails to convince, despite the tears, because there isn't a story to back this up.The woman (=love interest) character is totally random. She's apparently obsessed with death because life seems meaningless otherwise, but we don't find out anything about her that would turn her into a three-dimensional character. She's just quirky for the sake of being quirky. Everything she says (because this film is all about what people say, they don't really do much) amounts to "I'm so quirky, look at me, I'm so occasionally depressed and obsessed with death!"And then there's the two supporting priest characters whose role and (lack of) depth can also be summed up in one-liners: there's the "I'm proper and wise and old-fashioned" and the "I'm quirky and rebellious and clearly here for comic relief, while also demonstrating that faith isn't necessarily about following all the rules or taking yourself too seriously".Yeh so that's it. What I wrote above is the whole film. I swear there's absolutely nothing else in it. Every scene seems pointless because it just goes through the motions of its generic tag: "the crisis of faith scene", "the boy-meets-girl scene", "the break-up scene" oh and the should-have-been-powerful-but-ended-up-complete-nonsense "awkward dinner scene".Don't waste your time. If the premise appeals to you so much go watch The Thorn Birds.
maggied-32128
When will film makers get it? The WHOLE movie is important! For any great story to be great, and this includes any story, from Shakespeare to Stephen King, The WHOLE story should be told! A beginning, a middle and an ending. So often "cutting edge" film makers think they are being smart leaving an ending you have to work out for yourself. Personally I wish this trend would cease and we could then get back to some good storytelling!This film starts great, a wonderful story of a young priest and a lost young woman who needs guidance. I was hooked until the very last couple of minutes. No, you have not given me something to ponder about! I am an adult with a life! I watch films like this for a little escapism and to feel good. I feel as though you stole my thunder!!! Instead of coming away feeling happy that these two young people have found each other and the loves of their lives, I have come away feeling jaded and resentful.I wanted the kiss, the dream! Hell, if I wanted morals and to think about what's right I wouldn't be watching a movie. I'd be dealing with my own crap!!!!
pacolopezpersonal-22057
A 4-actor film and religious plot has necessarily to communicate much and good to be acceptable. In this case we have a lot of confusion. It is very difficult to find God from the safety and protection of a religious community. God can be found in the difficulty, need and suffering, rarely taking part of a congregation whose way of life is living comfortably. Here we have 4 characters and 4 situations the first one, the superior that believe himself infallible and with right to humiliate. Second; the priest who apparently is normal and flexible but who punishes and make kneeling to one boy who is wrong in singing. Third:The smart protagonist who tries but does not find God and Fourth, the girl who gets tired of not finding something worthwhile in this life, sleeps in a coffin and its motto is "See Jane Die". (Possibly, she is the only one who has God closer). The film is sometimes lacking in rhythm and is only valid for those who endure movies with religious theme. Nothing new.
