Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Tony You think you know what the story is all about with the opening scenes. A man who was sexually abused as a child tells the priest in the confessional that priest is dead. Then states he didn't kill him, he wants ultimate revenge, to kill our innocent good priest, real payback in a way. But it then plays on that theme to show how Ireland, a highly Catholic country is changing. Lots of characters are introduced leading what the Church would once call immoral lives. They all in their own way ask who are you to preach morals to us after all the revelations that have happened. Very thought provoking, well acted, great scenic cinematography. It's no spoiler to say this reminded me in pace and ending of the classic Get Carter.

TxMike I watched this at home on DVD from my public library. Don't know why I missed seeing it when it came out but I did.Calvary is the place outside Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. The name has meaning for this movie because the one week we see of Father James' life parallels the life of Jesus, trying to do what is right and teach others a better way to look at life while sin and corruption is all around him. Brendan Gleeson is Father James, a priest in a small Irish community by the sea where everyone knows everyone else. The story starts with Father James in the confessional, an unseen parishioner is not there to gain absolution for his sins, he tells James that he was sexually abused for several years when he was a young boy. The abusive priest is dead now but to clear his conscience the man will kill Father James a week Sunday, in either days. He tells him to meet him on the beach.So part of the mystery throughout the movie is who the intended killer is? We see him interacting with Father James but we don't know who it is at the end.Not a pleasant movie because of the subject but it is a very good character study of Father James, how he can try to deal with this issue and others.

Tweekums As this film opens Father James is taking confession; an unseen voice tells him that he was abused as a child and he intends to kill Fr James the following Sunday. He does not blame Fr James for what happened to him; he just believes that it is appropriate that a good priest should die for the sins of a bad one. FR James discusses the matter with his bishop and says he knows who it was that made the threat but doesn't do anything to report him even after the bishop insists that such a threat isn't covered by the sanctity of the confessional. Over the following week he continues to minister to his parishioners although they aren't interested in what he has to say; taking Sunday communion seems to be all the religion they want. He also has his daughter, from before he took holy orders, come to visit him following a failed suicide attempt. During the week somebody burns his church to the ground; it would appear that the threat was serious.Given that this stars Brendan Gleeson in the leading role one might expect an enjoyable dark comedy like 'In Bruges' or 'The Guard' however this is much bleaker. There are some laughs to be had but for the most part there is just the feeling that protagonist Fr James is doomed and that most of the people he deals with in his rural Irish parish don't want him interfering with the way they live their lives but expect him to listen to their troubles without judging them. Brendan Gleeson is great in the lead role; he makes the characters just a little world-weary but still someone who wants to do what is right. The rest of the cast are pretty solid making us believe in their flawed characters… even if it is a little hard to believe that so many damaged people could reside in one small community in County Sligo. The setting, beautiful, rugged and somewhat bleak adds to the sense of foreboding. Overall I'd certainly recommend this although I'd caution that you have to be in the right mood; it certainly isn't a feel-good movie.

vinery1-138-683697 To make it short, this is a brilliant script with amazing performances, but if you want to truly get depressed and hate the ending, go for it. Gleeson is brilliant as always, but I left this movie feeling completely vacant of any positive outcomes and any sign of love of life. Yes, the problems of the church are of no secret when it comes to the acts of abuse upon young boys from some of the priests, but we have seen this time and time again over the years and this one just was too tough for me, as the only person that I was really rooting for does not get the satisfaction that he deserves. Make no mistake, this film is greatly written and wonderfully acted and directed. Gleeson is such a natural actor who fills every role with his amazing ability to play any character. Just be ready for a ride on the negativity train throughout.