Calvary is the new film from John Michael McDonagh who's first film was the very enjoyable and darkly comic The Guard. He shares the same kind of sensibilities of his brother who just happens to be the very talented Martin McDonagh who brought us the wonderful films In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. Though Calvary still retains the black comedy of his previous film this time around it focus more on the drama rather than the irreverent humour. Starring the incredibly underrated Brendan Gleeson, the adorable Kelly Reilly, Chris O'Dowd, Aiden Gillen, Dylan Moran, David Wilmot, M. Emmet Walsh and a small role from Domhnall Gleeson (Brendan Gleeson's son) the cast of this film is quite fantastic.
Calvary starts of with Father James Lavelle (Gleeson) listening to a confession, it just happens that this confession is more of a statement; an unnamed confessor says that he'll kill Father Lavelle by the end of the week and that he should take the time to set his affairs in order. His reasoning being that he was raped by a priest when he was a child and that it would be more of a message to kill an innocent priest than a bad one. what follows is a character piece that follows Father Lavelle as he tries to hold onto his faith and continue to do his job as the world around him begins to fall apart.
Rather than go to the cops Father Lavelle chooses to live his week like every other, helping out the people of the town even though the killer could be anyone of them. His daughter (who was born before he became a priest) comes to visit after a failed suicide attempt, a local slut (who also happens to be married) has been beaten by a boyfriend, a french lady's husband is in a coma, a local rich man's family has left him, a serial killer asks to talk to Father Lavelle along and more. Through out each encounter Father Lavelle treats each person with love and compassion (though at times it is hard) and reflects the ultimate theme of the movie which is forgiveness.
No matter how judgemental, compassionate, unfaithful, loving or righteous a person can be forgiveness is a virtue that has now long been forgotten in the rather cynical world we have now. It is a virtue that is present though out the whole film and one that we really need more of. Though the film is quite bleak that doesn't stop it from being a beautiful film with many touches of humour without being tonally disjointed. Also the whodunnit or in this case who'sgonnadoit of this film is also fantastically handled as it had me guessing that whole time.
This film is beautifully crafted with gorgeous cinematography, a very spiritual score and a fantastically understated performance from Brendan Gleeson who knocks it out of the park. The films ending is inevitable but honest and though the film ends before the last words can be said (don't worry that is not a spoiler of the climax) I honestly believe those last words are words of forgiveness.
4 out of 5 stars
Let me know your thoughts on the film below if you get to see it.
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