Priest (1994 film)
Priest | |
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George Faber Josephine Ward | |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Fred Tammes |
Edited by | Susan Spivey |
Music by | Andy Roberts |
Production company | |
Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time |
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Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Box office | $4.2 million |
Priest is a 1994 British drama film directed by Antonia Bird. The screenplay by Jimmy McGovern concerns a Roman Catholic priest (Linus Roache) as he struggles with two difficulties that precipitate a crisis of faith. The film's release was controversial and received condemnation from the Church.
Plot
Father Greg Pilkington, newly assigned to St Mary's parish in inner-city
While the young protagonist's personal traditional conservatism and religious beliefs are offended by the older priest's blatant disregard for his vow of celibacy, he struggles with his homosexual urges, especially after he meets a man named Graham at a local gay hangout and the two embark on a physical relationship.
Meanwhile, student Lisa Unsworth has confided she is being sexually abused by her father, who confirms her story and displays no guilt nor any desire to stop. Both have revealed their secret in the confessional, however, so Father Greg is required to honour the sanctity of the Sacrament of Penance and not reveal what he has been told. He tries to warn her mother to keep a close watch on her, but the naive woman believes her daughter is safe while in the care of her husband.
When Mrs. Unsworth discovers her husband molesting Lisa and realises the priest knew what was happening, she lashes out at him. Adding to his torment is his arrest for having sex with Graham in a parked car. He pleads guilty to the charge, and the fact that he is a Catholic priest makes for a sensational news item. The story is headlined on the front page of the local newspaper and, unable to face his parishioners, Father Greg relocates to a remote rural parish headed by a disapproving and unforgiving priest. Father Matthew persuades him to return to St Mary's, and the two preside over a Mass that is disrupted by the loud protests of people opposed to Father Greg's presence at the altar. Father Matthew demands they leave the church. The two priests then begin to distribute the Eucharist, but the remaining parishioners ignore Father Greg and line up to receive communion from Father Matthew. Lisa finally approaches the younger priest, and the two fall into each other's arms, sobbing.
Cast
- Linus Roache as Father Greg Pilkington
- Tom Wilkinson as Father Matthew Thomas
- Robert Carlyle as Graham
- Cathy Tyson as Maria Kerrigan
- Christine Tremarco as Lisa Unsworth
- Robert Pugh as Mr. Unsworth
- Lesley Sharp as Mrs. Unsworth
Production
The film was shot on location in Blundellsands, Liverpool, London, and Manchester.
Release
Priest premiered at the
Reception
Critical reception
Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 64% approval rating based on 25 critical responses, with an average rating of 7/10.[6]
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times rated the film one star out of a possible four, calling the screenplay "shallow and exploitative." He added, "The movie argues that the hidebound and outdated rules of the church are responsible for some people (priests) not having sex although they should, while others (incestuous parents) can keep on having it although they shouldn't. For this movie to be described as a moral statement about anything other than the filmmaker's prejudices is beyond belief."[7]
Peter Stack of the San Francisco Chronicle called it "an exceptional movie," "powerful drama," and "a curiously inspiring statement about faith and morality." He added, "This film is extraordinary for the themes it explores—sometimes with delicious humor—beyond the obvious ... The movie becomes a fascinating glimpse at a vast subject—intolerance vs. understanding. There's some preachiness in Priest, and yet you go away feeling the embrace of something lovely and spiritual."[8]
Gary Kamiya of
Rita Kempley of The Washington Post said, "Part soap opera and part propaganda, this sometimes affecting drama presents a one-sided examination of the church's teachings on homosexuality and the celibacy of its clergy ... Roache, a veteran of British stage and television, gives a stirring performance, which crests in the film's transcendent finale. Beautifully sustained by the actors and well directed by Bird, this last scene is an emotional epiphany for both the characters and the audience, all bathed in the balm of forgiveness."[10]
Box office
Opening on eight screens in the United States, it grossed $113,430 on its opening weekend, and eventually grossed $4,165,845 in the US and Canada.[11]
Accolades
The film was nominated for the
References
- BBFC. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ^ Klady, Leonard (2 October 1995). "Indie niche getting packed with product". Variety. p. 13.
- ^ Alexander Ryll. "Essential Gay Themed Films To Watch, Making Love". Gay Essential. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ Evans, Greg (3 April 1995). "'Priest' foes pass over Miramax, boycott Disney". Variety. p. 24.
- ^ Evans, Greg (24 April 1995). "Limbaugh talker balks at anti-'Priest' ads". Variety. p. 14.
- ^ "Priest (1995)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Ebert, Roger. "Priest Movie Review & Film Summary (1995)". rogerebert.suntimes.com.
- ^ "Extraordinary 'Priest' Captures the Spirit". 7 April 1995.
- ^ "Priest' fails to live up to its calling". 7 April 1995.
- ^ Kempley, Rita. "'Priest' (R)". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Priest (1995) (1995) – Box Office Mojo". Box Office Mojo.
- ^ "Antonia Bird, film and TV director, dies aged 54". BBC News. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
External links
- Priest at IMDb