DVD Review: Calvary

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Should've left town.

Father James (Brenden Gleeson) is a kind priest who is told during confession that he will be killed in seven days time. Why? Because the man confessing was raped by a priest when he was a child. That priest is dead, and even if he wasn't, no one cares about bad priests that die. He's going to kill Father James because he's good.

The film is very slow, very grey and dreary. It seriously drags its feet. It also has dog death about an hour in that I was not expecting and gaaaahhhhh I hate that!

But back to the film, Father James knows who confessed, he lives in a small town. But he doesn't call the police, he doesn't leave town, he just goes about his normal week. Gleeson gives a grand performance, as does the rest of the cast. I can see where this film might not be for everyone with it's pacing, but I enjoyed it for the most part. Even if I was kind of yelling at Father James to leave inside.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B-

Memorable Quote: "I don't hate you at all, it's just you have no integrity." - Father James (Brenden Gleeson)

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:22 AM

    I think that the themes this film develops are so strong...so poignant. I had no qualms with the pacing, at all, and I thought Gleeson was TOWERING! It's such a brilliant performance. Glad you didn't...hate this :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:53 AM

      lol. I'm glad I didn't hate it either, but I wish I would've liked it more.

      Delete
  2. GetterFebruary 24, 2015 at 12:56 PM

    Littlefinger!! Man, he looks so swag.

    ReplyDelete
  3. m.brownFebruary 24, 2015 at 2:47 PM

    Sounds promising. Might check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LukeFebruary 24, 2015 at 3:16 PM

    Mayor Carcetti from The Wire is in this, so I'll check it out haha. Seriously though, I dig Brendan Gleeson and I have heard promising things about this movie.

    What season of The Wire are you on?


    I'm glad you watch Better Call Saul too. I think last night's episode put a flag in the ground and declared that it had arrived and is playing for keeps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 25, 2015 at 6:41 AM

      I'm on season 4 of the Wire. I think episode 6? My HBO Go has been acting weird so I haven't gotten to watch it yet this week.

      And Better Call Saul is amazing. I'm glad you watch those too!

      Delete
  5. RuthFebruary 24, 2015 at 3:30 PM

    I don't mind a slower-paced film if the actor could hold my interest and sounds like Gleeson would do the job. I can't wait to check this one out!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:51 PM

    The good thing is: I loved this one, too. This is mainly a one-man show by Gleeson. But I'm glad he's having it with his son!
    I appreciated Gleeson's performance and awarded it with a place in my top acting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 25, 2015 at 6:40 AM

      Gleeson gave a wonderful performance here for sure. That was nice to see Domnhall in there for a short time as well!

      Delete
  7. UnknownFebruary 25, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    Great review! I liked this a bit more than you did, and I didn't mind the pacing. I felt the pacing fit the contemplative quality of the movie. I couldn't agree more about the dog death, though. I thought it was totally unnecessary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 25, 2015 at 3:13 PM

      It fit the tone well. I expected it to be slower, just not that slow.

      And screw that dog death. What bullshit.

      Delete
  8. msmariahFebruary 26, 2015 at 8:04 PM

    You know I'm kinda of tired of movies and dog deaths. It's an easy plot point. It sounds like a dreary film. I do love Brendan Gleeson.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 27, 2015 at 6:40 AM

      I'm always tired of movies and dog deaths. I can't handle it.

      Delete
  9. JoshApril 3, 2015 at 1:36 PM

    Glad you mostly enjoyed it. I loved everything about it, but I usually respond to bleak, depressing movies. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 4, 2015 at 6:40 AM

      Ha, not gonna lie, I like depressing too. Characters are more interesting that way.

      Delete
  10. Top rated Immigration Lawyer SeattleMay 10, 2017 at 8:32 AM

    A must see movie. This movie may be Brendan Gleeson's greatest role. It is a pity this movie did not get more publicity when it was released. It is truly a masterpiece, full of interesting but believable characters who are all harried by their own personal demons.

    ReplyDelete

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