[Review] Calvary (2014)

cast: Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen, Aidan Gillen

director: John Michael McDonagh

“I’ve always felt there’s something inherently psychopathic about joining the army in peace time, as far as I’m concerned people join the army to find out what its like to kill someone. I hardly think that’s an inclination that should be encouraged in modern society, do you?” Father James Lavelle

John Michael McDonagh puts together a companion piece of last years’ Philomena. It’s a dark and somber tale about a good hearted Irish priest (Brendan Gleeson) who is told by a parishioner that in one week he will be killed in retaliation for the crimes committed by the Catholic Church – not to beat around the bush, it’s an in your face attack against the clergymen who had raped and abused children and got away with it. Father Lavelle has one week to put things in order around the small community he diligently serves and mend his fractured relationship with his estranged daughter (Kelly Reilly).

Brendan Gleeson simply shines as the kind nature priest faced with the fact he’ll become the sacrificial lamb in the dispute between a victim of the sexual abuse and the Catholic Church. Those who must face punishment rarely find themselves in front of a judge and the victims rarely have the chance to extract some sort of justice. Here is one soul, broken and abused who turns away from morality and wants to punish. He chooses exactly the one priest who should be left alone and untouched, the one priest who can make a difference, who doesn’t tolerate abuse, who wants to save souls. Such is the drama of ‘Calvary‘.

Father James has an estranged relationship with his daughter, he’s a widower and a recovering  alcoholic but among all the flawed characters, he is the one fighting for redemption.

The little Irish community is a gloomy dark brood of twisted souls. You’ve got the butcher (Chris O’Dowd) who’s wife cheats on him, there’s the physician (Aidan Gillen), an atheist who loves to poke Father James, there’s the whole prejudice and intolerance against foreigners like in this ”lovely” piece.

In fact, it’s human nature at its best and at its worst.

“Calvary” is one of those small jewels which will be ignored. Just like “Philomena“, we might see Gleeson’s strong performance remembered during the Academy awards seasons but the movie is already due to come out on DVD and Blu-ray and will live a life of accolades from various movie festivals and little exposure to the wide audience who should watch this movie, who should learn a thing or two about the topics put on table in this movie.

A movie rises and falls on the subjects presented, on the way they’re exposed, on the strength of the arguments given. Movies should serve as a debate platform not just an entertainment scene. “Calvary” is that movie one should watch and afterwards start asking questions, start debating. It’s not just Gleeson’s shining role, although he does it flawlessly, Reilly gives a solid performance as the suicidal daughter, Domhnall Gleeson ( son of Brendan Gleeson) has a terrific scene alongside his father in this movie.

“Calvary” is a movie raising questions and refusing to bury uncomfortable topics. It’s a rare sight in a cinema world filled with remakes, sequels, prequels and lack of imagination.

Edge and Back: 9/10