Highly Overrated But Still Good

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

I have wanted to write a review for this film for years. Now that I realize that God loves everyone unconditionally, I have even more respect for the film. Now, I wasn't raised Catholic but I have spoken with friends who are. I will say from what I understand, it's a very conservative religion and hard to live up to it's standards. I like this film for many reasons-one: I'm gay myself and still firmly believe in God. 2: the acting is incredible and very plausible-Linus Roache should have been Oscar nominated in my opinion, the rest of the main cast is amazing too. 3: the script though obviously not original is written with dignity and a sense of humor. The storyline centers around conservative priest Father Greg who has his secrets and his teamwork with Father Matthew. At first they're practically at each others throats due to different morales, but before long, his tone begins to change-he picks up a man at a gay bar, seduces him and then hears about child abuse from a girl at the hands of her unrepentant father. This revelation makes him question everything he knows. I will agree that the ending is a tear-jerker I came close to crying too. Check it out!

If you are looking for a movie on the crisis in the Catholic priesthood in the late 20th century, this is it. Not related to the recent sex abuse crisis, it deals with adult sexuality and the struggle with celibacy. It also highlights two different styles of leadership among the Catholic clergy.Two priests with decidedly different approaches find themselves in the same parish in working class Liverpool. The younger priest Fr Pilkington (Linus Roache) takes the view that he is in the world but not part of it. His older counterpart Fr Thomas (Tom Wilkinson) plays fast and loose with church protocols while going to night clubs and keeping the parish housekeeper as his live-in girlfriend. Fr Pilkington breaks his own high standards by going to a gay bar where he meets a male partner for his own sexual gratification. When he returns late to the rectory, Fr. Thomas asks if he wants to talk but Pilkington disregards him. Succumbing to temptation, Fr Pilkington is unable to resist getting involved in a sexual liaison. When it becomes public, Fr Thomas becomes his ally and shows that he can befriend a man whose style is so at odds with his own. Without giving away the ending, the two priests have many heated discussions which in an odd way bring them together and leads to a dramatic showdown with their own parishioners. Tom Wilkinson is exceptional in the role of Fr Matthew Thomas; Linus Roche as Fr Pilkington walks a tightrope as a man dedicated to his faith and to his calling but cannot resist the temptation to have sex with another man. If you are interested in the priesthood and its challenges, don't miss this one.

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.

This film was very controversial upon initial release, but its not as sensational as you might think. Some other users have called it slow, or even boring. I think it's an excellent film and a subject that needs to be explored, so if you're looking for action go elsewhere. The questions of spirituality and devotion to a religion are no addressed often enough in mainstream films. Most Hollywood films seem determined to deny that religion even exists. Furthermore, this is a ground-breaking study in homosexuality. In 1994, smart gay-themed films were even harder to come by, and this is one of the first to break through to mainstream attention.