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Despite its title, forget about finding this controversial drama on the Vatican's screening list. The film explores a provocative checklist of religious taboos--celibacy, incest, sexual abuse, homosexuality, the debatable secrecy of the confessional--as director Antonia Bird delivers a bold condemnation of what she views as the outdated politics and harmful nature of Catholic doctrine. The story concerns the ideologically strained relationship between two clergymen, the misleading conservative Father Greg (Linus Roache) and his older and more practical colleague, Father Matthew (Tom Wilkinson). Upon arriving at his new Liverpool parish, Greg is shocked to learn that Matthew ignores celibacy and openly sleeps with his black housekeeper. Greg chooses to satisfy his earthly desires in a more secretive way. Sometimes, he likes to lose the cloth, grab a leather jacket, and pick up guys at the local gay pub. He's got other problems as well. While torturing himself with his own moral dilemma, he's hit with another, as during confession a young girl confides that her father is sexually abusing her at home. While this drags out the old "bound by secrecy" cliché of many religious melodramas, Bird uses it to bolster her theme of unwarranted secrecy in the face of faith and social scorn. Ultimately, both the priest and the girl are victims of their own fear, and must find courage to destroy it. Thankfully, Bird's wicked sense of humor keeps the film's tone from slipping into saccharine sentimentality, while Roache's intense performance and a honest, shattering finale rescue the film from swerving too far into shallow TV movie-of-the-week sensationalism. --Dave McCoy
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
It's More Relevant Now Than Ever.
Aug 14 2002
Format:DVD
If you're a Bostonian like me, chances are you must be sick to death of the nonstop media coverage of the priest abuse scandals. But with all that's going on in the Catholic church, a movie like "Priest" is even more vital now than ever. In one of the most underrated performances ever, Linus Roache is Father Greg, who, upon being newly assigned to a British parish, gets caught in a web of drama involving child abuse, sexuality, the sacrament of Confession, and the priestly vow of celibacy. Without revealing spoilers, "Priest" confronts some pretty throny issues lesser films would dodge. It also has great performances from Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson ("In the Bedroom") and Robert Carlyle, who shows not a trace of the frightening intensity he brought to his role in "Trainspotting." The film borders on sentiment during a scene when they play "You'll Never Walk Alone," but otherwise, it's a pretty solid affair. While Miramax spends millions of dollars hyping to death more mainstream films like "Chocolat" and "Cider House Rules," "Priest" gets the shaft on DVD. There are virtually no features on this package. Even so, this film is worth a look, for it is one of the very best movies of the 1990s.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Priest is movie that moves the soul
April 12 2004
Format:DVD
This film touches the human soul. It looks at the priest hood in its human form. Linus Roache plays Father Greg Pilkington. Father Greg is going through hard times he knows he is supposed to be a priest, however his sexual urgings for men is strong. He starts a relationship with Grahm, and although he knows he is breaking his vow of celibacy he cannot stop. Sharing his home and church is father Matthew an older worldlier priest played by Tom Wilkinson, who becomes a great friend. However father Matthew is also having an affair with the live in house keeper Maria. Father Greg's problems are not just refined to his sexual orientation and relationship with Grahm. In confession he learns a horrible story by a young girl. His only choices are to stay quiet or tell and break the sanctity of confession. Staying quiet will mean the young girl continues to suffer. Through all his trials and tribulations, I grew to love Father Greg and care about the cast of characters. So if you sick of movies all about killing and death, this is a movie about life and the battle it is to live it and what it means to be human.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
To the gay teenager
Oct 5 2001
Format:DVD
This is a powerful film, I was 21 when this film was made and I too cried when I saw it. Unfortunately I didnt feel positive after seeing the film and decided to stay in the closet. That wasnt a fault of the film, probably just my insecuraties. I then saw another film that made me cry called 'Beautiful Thing' and that marked an important change in my life. If you havnt seen it, check out 'beautiful thing' either here or on amazon.co.uk. Take care.
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Most recent customer reviews
Good Perspective on Conflicts of Priestly Vows and Inner Motivations...
I had expected this film, from all of the controversy and brouhaha about it, to be much more explosively bitter in tone than, in fact, it is. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Gerald Parker
For die hard Tom Wilkinson fans only
This was a surreal and quirky film with head scratching moments throughout, but with excellent acting and a fine script. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Kolyenka K
Fantastic movie
This was an excellent and powerful movie. From start to the very end, this movie is compelling, emotionally charged and thought provoking. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Kokee
Asks good questions
I enjoyed Priest and felt it asked quality questions and addressed heavy issues. The strongest question is if our expectations of those in the service of the church are realistic. Read more
Published on Feb 22 2004 by T. Hulse
I've never liked religions, but I adore human emotions.
Christian, not Christian; gay, not gay; does it matter? We are all prisoners of our own, chained by our individual view points of this world and of this life. Read more
Published on Jan 13 2004 by M. Denil
MARVELLOUS
I am not going to write a long review or reveal the theme of the movie. The only thing I have to say is, I have not seen such a wonderfully done and realistic movie for years and... Read more
Published on Nov 14 2003 by Frederick
Priest - an overlooked glance at truth
Linus Roache gives a commendable, even accomplished, performance as the "Priest" torn asunder by his need for faith and his need to fulfill his fleshly desires. Read more
Published on Sep 28 2003 by M S Viguers
Powerful, Emotionally Harrowing
The striking opening sequence of 'Priest' depicts an enraged elderly cleric, having learned he is being pushed into retirement, utilizing a large crucifix as a battering ram and... Read more
Published on Sep 4 2003 by Bruce
Another visit to the PRIEST
Re-visiting PRIEST, a film by Antonia Bird that is genteel, soulful, yet probing and made in 1995, makes us realize how much of a wake-up call it was to the internal troubles... Read more
Published on Aug 16 2003 by Grady Harp
the GREATEST film EVER
Father Greg is an orthodoks, rather strict young Catholic priest who is sent to a poor parish in Liverpool ( I think it was Liverpool...) when the old priest is sakked. Read more
Published on May 2 2003 by H. Kroeger
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