Calvary

Brendan Gleeson — good priest

Gary Cooper — good marshal.

A fantastic film this week. An intriguing plot with a superb collection of corrupt sleaze-bag characters and some very funny dialogue (When you could tune in to the brogue). Terrific acting and direction. Amazing scenery and photography.

When I saw the shot of Brendan Gleeson walking alone through town on his way to meet his destiny, I was reminded of Gary Cooper in High Noon — another lonely man who's effectively an outcast in his own community. Surely this was a deliberate reference made by the director? Well it would seem so. Apparently, I wasn't alone as several of the reviewers made the same connection. And in an interview with the director (see the link below) he refers to the film as a western.

Unfortunately for Gleeson, he didn't have Grace Kelly on hand to help out. And unfortunately for us, we didn't have that great song - "Do not forsake me... etc" which has surely one of the best rhymes in popular song:

He made a vow while in state's prison
Vowed it would be my life or his'n

Another great night at the Wakefield Film Society.

The feedback score was 83%:

A	That was no comedy! Wonderful cinematography, acting & music
A	A harrowing comedy – black indeed. Moving, thought-provoking, beautiful cinematography. Uncomfortable seats!
A	Thought provoking. Good scenery.
A	Very intense. Extremely enjoyable. Pity it could not have ended better. Acting superb.
A	Wonderful!
A
A	LOVED IT. INTENSE, MOVING, BRILLIANT SETTING, ACTING, STORYTELLING.
A	Shocking ending!
A	Strong performances.
A	What an amazing film.
A	Very moving.
A	Absorbing. Lovely location. All characters a bit mad.
A	An amazing film — the road to Calvary was well linked with the story.—I found it very moving in many ways.
A	Excellent performances all round.
B	I enjoyed many aspects of the film but at times it didn't strike the right chord — too many misfits.
B	Very good film. Brendan Gleeson was excellent as usual. Great setting.
B	Brendan Gleeson was excellent.
B
B	Bleaker than I expected.
B	Would not class this as a “black comedy!” All rather heart-breaking.
B
B
B	Intense. Loved Brendan Gleeson's understated performance. I'm glad I don't live there! I need a drink now!
B	Very bleak portrayal of the life of a catholic priest in modern Ireland. Despite tragic ending enjoyed the humour, the acting and the basalt rocks.
B	Brendan Gleeson performance wonderful. Powerful film. Direction excellent.
B	Well acted but so dark.
B
B
B	Captivating story that had a variety of characters and a shocking end.
B	Powerful — totally unexpected ending. Lots of unanswered questions.
B	Very good performances. Shocking ending.
C	Christ-like figure dying for the sins of others.
C	Very thought-provoking.
C
C	A LITTLE BLEAK. SOME HUMOUR. KEPT MY ATTENTION.
C	A shame that subtitles were not on. The Irish accent is very difficult to distinguish to anyone with a hearing impairment. The film was interesting albeit shocking at the end. I would have enjoyed it more if I could have heard it.
C	Could have done with sub-titles. Strong cast, powerful drama but unsettling.
C
C	Black comedy?

On-line:

Esquire Interview: Calvary Director John Michael McDonagh
http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/film-tv/6100/calvary-john-michael-mcdonagh-interview/

IMDB rating 7.5 out of 10:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234003/

Rotten Tomatoes. Audience rating 80%
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/calvary_2013/

Xan Brooks in the Guardian: “a terrific black comedy that touches greatness”
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/13/calvary-review-terrific-black-comedy

Tim Robey in the Telegaph wasn't quite so impressed — “groping for a catharsis it never quite achieves ”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10756864/Calvary-review.html

Geoffrey MacNab in the Independent: “The wonder of Calvary is that amid all the blarney and black humour, it stands up as a moving and sincere drama about religious faith and the fear of death.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/calvary-film-review-dark-religious-comedy-is-caustic-look-at-the-sins-of-the-fathers-9251961.html