Calvary is an immense Irish drama about the church, mortality and revenge. As you’d imagine from the movie title and such a severe line-up of themes, it’s a dark, heavy and soulful film led by a tremendous performance from Brendan Gleeson that embodies these sombre qualities.
This isn’t the first time Brendan Gleeson and fellow writer-director John Michael McDonagh have worked together. The two seem destined to become a famous duo after working to acclaim in The Guard, in which Gleeson played an unorthodox and tough-as-nails Irish policeman. While both decidedly dark films, Calvary is more serious in tone, opting to appeal to the grey matter over the funny bone.
We’re thrown into the midst of a small Irish village, where a presiding priest is threatened with death during a confession. As Father James (Gleeson) continues his good work, he makes contact with many troubled locals, each quite capable of being his would-be killer. The small coastal village could very well be Hell as the priest tries to save lost souls and finds his best efforts thwarted by apathy toward the church and a series of lost causes as the dark forces close in around him.
We journey with Father James, whose missive to lead the lost sheep to the Lord turns into a trial by fire as one “demonic” character heckles him after another. It’s an oppressive atmosphere that drives the dark, mysterious drama and commentary forward as a good man fights a losing battle. Each character interaction serves as a duel between good and evil, as our hero doubles as a reluctant detective.
“Father, I must confess… when I play God, people die.”
To sell the drama, McDonagh has assembled a stellar supporting cast for Gleeson including: Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aiden Gillen, Isaach De Bankole, M. Emmet Walsh and even Brendan’s son, Domhnall Gleeson. They each contribute small supporting parts that perpetuate the dark, oppressive tone with a maniacal smirk. As with most murder mysteries, each character has their secrets and enough motivation to be the killer in wait.
We’re compelled by the creeping inevitability of a death threat over the space of a week. As each day churns into the next, our protagonist finds himself slightly more paranoid than the previous day, pushed to believe his faith is strong enough to withstand the barrage of spiritual dissonance and the disappointment of a flagging ministry.
It’s like watching a wrongfully accused prisoner on his way to an execution block. The character’s attempt to be strong and brave crumbles as the tumbrel gathers momentum and doomsday beckons. McDonagh keeps the tension on high as we root for the priest’s redemption and moral reserve against all odds. The coastal vistas and symbolic imagery make for an epic and relentless battle between good and evil.
We feel the burden as the hellish atmosphere takes its toll. Gleeson delivers a Christ-like character, who can’t escape his duty, destined to march up to his own Calvary without losing all hope in humanity. Just like In Bruges and The Guard, Calvary is not for everyone. The film is dark, sombre and has moments of fleeting levity but carries heavy themes, dense dialogue, twisted characters and packs an emotional punch to the gut.
The bottom line: Oppressive
Release date: 12 September, 2014
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