Calvary (15)

Directed by John Michael McDonagh

5 stars

BRENDAN GLEESON plays an innocent priest hit with a death sentence in John Michael McDonagh’s dark comic thriller, his second feature.

Set against the stunning beauty of Ireland’s west coast, the film begins dramatically with Father James (Gleeson) hearing confession from a mysterious man in a Catholic church.

He recounts being repeatedly sexually abused as a boy by a priest and gives Father James a week to make his peace with god and the world, arranging a Sunday meeting on the beach where he intends to kill him.

Since the man who molested him has died, he reasons that the death of an innocent priest will make more of a statement.

With the pressure of his looming date with destiny, the priest spends time with the local townsfolk.

Behind his ruddy face, he is wordily intelligent and his gentle philosophy has depths without resorting to religious platitudes. He truly is a priest of profound integrity, suffering for the sins of others.

Gleeson’s performance is the key to this immensely powerful drama, which is shot through with a humour that is rebellious and dark.

As the first cinematic attempt to deal with the sexual abuse scandals of the Catholic church,  Calvary offers a serious reflection on the topic while exploring the uses and abuse of spirituality in a society affected by disillusionment and cynicism.

Fascinating.