I have a little ritual. Once a week, movie in, manicure kit out. Last week I wore 4-alarm blaze, this week I’m changing it up for Bahama Mama. It’s nice to know that in the crayon off-season, colour namers still have somewhere to go. A movie is a perfect length of time to do your nails, and wet nails are the perfect way to stop yourself from eating a whole bag of chips while watching the movie: win-win!
And truth be told, some movies require a modicum of distraction. I mean, this movie in particular is a little intense, and it’s nice to have somewhere else to focus when your senses start overloading. But for me, being a little deficient in attention, I tend to actually focus better if I’m doing 2 or 3 other things in addition to the movie watching, which is why I’m writing to you, while watching a movie, while painting my nails. At work.
I’m watching Calvary, which is a brilliant character study of a priest going through a rough patch. Father James (Brendan Gleeson, wonderfully) sits in confession one Sunday and a parishioner confesses that he was molested as a child, by a priest. His abuser is long dead; instead, he plans on making a good priest pay. That good priest, it would seem, is to be Father James. The date is set for a week hence – Father James will die for the sins of the church.
Father James goes about helping the people of his parish – a butcher (Chris O’Dowd) being cuckholded, his own daughter fresh from a suicide attempt, a cynical and atheistic doctor, and a young man in prison for killing and eating beautiful women, this last played by Gleeson’s son Domhnall (of Ex Machina, you may remember). Their scene together is pretty disturbing, and pretty great. Actually, the whole thing’s pretty great.
All the while, we’re wondering if it’s one of these parishioners (we’re introduced to a nice, round, biblical 12) who has threatened his life, so the interactions are tainted with underlying hostility and suspicion. We may not yet know who the would-be killer is, but Father James knows him. He knows his fate but keeps walking toward it. The movie’s cleverly put together, with plenty of hints in retrospect, sometimes uneven in tone as the humour and the violence circle around each other. The film deals with a difficult subject – sexual abuse in the church – in a circumspect manner; not so much head-on as from a spiritual angle looking into the black hole left by years of abuse and maybe worse still, its cover up.
I always like Gleeson but he’s top-notch in this. His weathered face fills the frame with truth and regret. Forgiveness, redemption, compassion, sacrifice: by the time you’ve done your penance, your nails will be dry and you’ll be free to sin again.
You’ve sold me. I will definitely have to give this a watch.
LikeLike
Yes, but will you paint your nails, and if so, what colour?
LikeLike
I’m far too lazy. I only paint my toenails a couple times in the summer. I let it last until a redo is absolutely necessary. But I’ll wave my coral-colored toes at the screen just for good measure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just watched this movie tonight. So good. Though I figured out the whodunit early on, it was a wonderful (and very dark) film. Beautiful setting and soundtrack too.
LikeLike
I didn’t want to believe it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do I have to tithe if I watch this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only if you get head.
LikeLiked by 1 person
……………………………….. I’m listening………………………..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should have known!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
*runs off down the hall crying*
LikeLike
Uh oh. You know what they do to little boys who cry?
LikeLiked by 1 person
#spankings ???
LikeLike
You’re going to wish it was a spanking. #Onyourknees
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I do!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I applaud your multitaskiness, you don’t say if he does end up dead, guess that’d spoil it, I will give it a go though but substitute drinking wine for painting nails 🙂
LikeLike
That’s an excellent choice too, one in which I might partake if only I wasn’t at work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think if you can paint your toes and watch a movie at work they probably won’t notice a bottle of chablis 😉
LikeLike
I’m usually not into this kind of movie ( I’m shallow ^^ ) but I got to watch it and liked it. Maybe it was Brendan Gleeson ‘s presence in this movie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw this one a while back … great movie and Mr Gleeson was particularly brilliant.
Bravo on the multitasking, by the way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That opening scene alone…Gleeson’s reaction to what is being confessed…UGH…it should have won him the Oscar!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, I felt like I had a magnetic lock on him!
LikeLike
Nice job, Jay–I love this film. It was a great acting effort by Gleeson and the setting had me pining for a trip overseas.
LikeLike
Excellent point! The setting was rather beautiful, although the crashing ocean and looming mountains also added to the ominous, oppressign feeling of the film.
LikeLike
foreshadowing all the way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Far from a run-of-the-mill film. Sounds very thought-provoking.
LikeLike
Great idea about the toe nails. Need to break the popcorn/movie connection in my brain. The movie sounds pretty good, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will have to try this, sometime soon, Jay.
LikeLike
I always paint my nails when watching films as well! It allows for optimal drying time for sure. I really need to watch this, your fantastic write-up has convinced me of it. Sounds amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your paint your nails no chips strategy.
LikeLike
Great review! I wasn’t crazy about this one, but Gleeson was so good and the cinematography was stunning.
LikeLike
Pingback: Everybody’s Chattin + Question of the week: Supporting cast you wish got the lead role |
I love this movie too- really witty, disturbing, funny and sad. Brendan Gleeson is usually a good choice, although I thought The Grand Seduction was terrible, not even beautiful Tim Riggins could save it for me!!
LikeLike
Yes, i thought the humour was surprising considering…well, everything!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an excellent movie, yet so very cynical and depressing. Pretty sure I will never watch this again.
LikeLike
Great review. Very intrigued by this. Especially interested in seeing the Gleesons together.
LikeLike
Pingback: War On Everyone | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES
Pingback: Cool Shit on Netflix | ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES