Calvary
Rated: MA
Four out of five
Now showing
A FILM with both Dylan Moran and Chris O’Dowd is one which most would expect to leave them in stitches, but this is not the case with Calvary.
While the two comedic actors tackled more serious roles than what audiences are used to, it was definitely not for the worst.
Lead by Irish actor Brendon Gleeson, Calvary is a filmic masterpiece.
Set in an Irish town, Gleeson is Father James Lavelle, the one good man in town surrounded by people in need of help, whether they want it or not.
But while he reaches out to them, his kind and helpful nature does not protect him from the tainted image priests before him have left on one individual.
The film opens in confessional and with only Gleeson’s face visible we learn that being raped by his childhood priest has left one man wanting to kill Father James.
“There’s no point killing a bad priest, but killing a good one, that would be a shock,” the audience hears.
While Father James knows who threatened to kill him in one week’s time, he does not let up.
He chooses rather to go about his business, helping the people in the town.
Whether it is Jack’s (O’Dowd) broken down and abusive marriage, Michael’s (Moran) love of money which has left him lonely and distant from his family or Father James’ daughter Fiona’s (Kelly Reilly) attempted suicide, the priest continues to put everyone before himself.
Moran and O’Dowd’s comedic nature is not wasted, with both characters coming out with brilliant one liners delivered in a way which both breaks up the potentially overbearing seriousness and adds an authenticity to the film.
As the audience learns who’s who in the small town, they are forever guessing who threatened Father James and more importantly, whether they will go through with it.
The only fault I can pick with this film is Leo (Owen Sharpe) an American male prostitute who is not explained enough to be an important character or be considered as the man in the confessional.
He just seemed out of place in what was a well-constructed character list.
Overall though Calvary is definitely a film which pushes boundaries and tackles spiritual issues without irony.