Priest (1995)

Sick Product of a Sick System

Nice effects though.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

I remember this film when it first came out in 1994. Much was made by the media about it, particularly because there was the feeling that this film was an attack on the Catholic Church. In the intervening two decades we have read with dismay the sexual abuse by priests of young boys, our awareness of sexual predators of young children of both sexes and other abuses (such as the scandal of young girls being incarcerated in laundries all over Great Britain and the U.S. as indentured servants throughout their teens), that the Church hierarchy swept under the rug. This film explores some of the issues that have caused the church to experience much embarrassment, but little change. This is a well-acted, film with crisp direction, a strong script and I suspect a sense of moral outrage. Tom Wilkinson and Linus Roach are both outstanding. Wilkinson's liberal views of his church are pragmatic. His young house-mate is a smug and rigidly conforming young priest named Father Greg Pilkington who has hardly been buffeted by the realities of adulthood. He's so busy being holier-than-thou, he cannot really see his own hypocrisy. He meets another young man in a gay bar and has a fling with him, but cannot face the fact that he's a young man in search of some romantic connection. And when the young man comes to take communion at his church, Father Greg humiliates him by refusing to give him communion. His biggest challenge comes when one of his young parishioner confesses to him that her father has sexually abused her. The Church's sanctity about the privacy of confession is enough to make you condemn the Church for it's insanely strict rules. Father Greg pays for his rigidity when the girl's mother confronts him at church. He has a complete breakdown at that point. It is well deserved. The Church's authority has now exceeded its humanity. Tom Wilkinson, well on his way to the kind of regular movie stardom that has been conferred on to other excellent character actors such as Eli Wallach, Karl Malden, and more recently, Allison Janney and John Goodman,is his usual outstanding self as the liberal Father Matthew. He's in a serious but secret relationship with his housekeeper (the excellent Cathy Tyson who is given far little to do), enjoys his drink and holds liberal views that don't always sit well with the parishioners. It sometimes feels if the deck is too stacked against the church. Only the most devout will see the Church as innocents here, and in fact, the entire institution deserves the drubbing it receives here. There's a new Pope in Rome, whom many feel and hope will be a force of change to bring the Church to a more modern and compassionate level in our increasingly turbulent times. THE PRIEST can be enjoyed on many levels--as an entertaining film with a charismatic actor at its center, a polemic of the modern day Catholic Church or even a modern warning to the perils of our modern age. It holds up very well in this the twentieth year since its release.

As a former Christian, I must admit that I was hesitant about watching this film after reading the synopsis. I already dealt with the struggles of being gay and religious in the past, and I didn't think I'd find the topic of being a gay priest in the Catholic Church too interesting. I was definitely mistaken.This movie is a hidden gem from the mid 90s, taking place in Liverpool, England. Linus Roache did a wonderful job as Father Greg. He portrayed the character as flawed yet likable. His lover Graham (Robert Carlyle) was also equally great, and their kiss on the beach was one of the most passionate that I've seen in a film. Father Matthew (Tom Wilkinson) was also a wonderful character, showing that despite his religious role, he was rather open-minded, defending Father Greg multiple times against bishops of the Church and even homophobic members of the local parish.One of the biggest subplots was with the girl Lisa, who confessed to Father Greg that she was being molested by her father. Father Greg wanted to tell her mother, but he knew he couldn't break the Seal of the Confessional, an important sacrament in the Catholic Church. This was another turning point for his character, furthering his doubt about whether he was meant to be a priest. The storyline was powerful, and I'd say it was just as important a plot point as being gay in the Catholic Church."Priest" is one of the best movies I've seen about being gay and religious, and it showcased each identity with compassion. However, the movie was pretty critical against the Catholic Church, illustrating that their ideas are outdated such as Father Greg not being able to reveal Lisa's secret and help her. I highly recommend this film if you're gay or even straight and wonder why gay people should be accepted in spite of so-called 'traditional' teachings of various religions.

Gay priest, Practicing his sexuality, Torn between desire and duty to God. Hetero priest, Assuaging his loneliness With lovely, dark woman, Giving no thought to "duty". Greg and Matthew, Matthew and Greg. Slowly coming to know each other, Slowly coming to respect each other. Matthew, hiding his own dark secret, Reaches out in compassion To Greg, whose "sin" Is thrust into the public's eye. Greg, consumed by his fall from grace, Still feels compassion for Lisa. Together they comfort each other. Where is God in all this? S/he is there, all right. In Greg's knowing God wants him to be a priest, In Greg's agonizing prayer for help for Lisa, Who is being molested by her father, In Greg's longing for sexual love, In Greg's turning from that longing, In Matthew's raw, burning compassion -- For the poor, the downtrodden, the different, Greg. In Jesus' forgiveness manifested in Lisa. Oh, yes, God is there, all right.

Beautifully shows the loving soul a person desperately trying to be good owns. It was painful to watch this fantastic movie and i haven't cried so hard in years i believe. You will see a person who is willing to give any sacrifice break down. Rejected for trying his very best. Hated for love. The ending feels so divine :-) To forgive is what the bible tells. Not to judge. Isn't God the one who will love you through all your sins. God is said to be love not fear. It's kind of sad that a movie as good as this gets such a low ranking. I guess it's hard to understand. I can only hope some day people will be able to open their hearts for the love of others.