Hey- Just recorded my first CD- have a listen at http://www.myspace.com/thomasw lesq. Would really ...
Hey- Just recorded my first CD- have a listen at http://www.myspace.com/thomasw lesq. Would really appreciate any comments. The lyrics for 'Every Beat' can be found in my Ciao reviews section. Thanks, Thom
Member since:10.09.2004
Reviews:35
Members who trust:25
Background:
El Crimen Del Padre Amaro (meaning 'The Crime of Father Amaro') is based upon the 1875 novel written by Eca de Queiroz and was originally set in Portugal where Catholicism had (and still does have) a very strong influence on the local communities.
The film adaptation of the book takes place in Mexico and tells the story of a newly-ordained young priest who is sent to Los Reyes to aid the diocese run by Father Benito, a man desperately trying to reconcile his faith with his actions (accepting money from drug lords, sleeping with lover etc.). Father Amaro (the young priest, played by the ever-fantastic Gael Garcia Bernal) starts with good intentions and a purity of spirit and purpose. However, the events that unfold, some natural (lust) and some experiential (coping with public scandals) soon have the young man questioning everything he has ever believed in as he begins to lose his grip on what is right and true.
Story Outline/ Character Analysis:
The film is shot in a manner which accurately portrays the sense of community within Los Reyes, a community that it tight-knit yet overflowing with gossip, back-stabbing and slander as each individual attempts to take the moral high ground and justify his/her position. Take Father Amaro himself who, after falling madly in love with the pretty Amelia, attempts to justify his lust by
defining it as 'spiritual'. He indeed argues against the obligatory vow of celibacy that all Catholic priests must take. Interestingly, the otherwise naive Amelia recognises the carnal element to their love and this confusion between the carnal and the spiritual is a concept which the film analyses with great conviction. According to the film's website, the forbidden love between the young couple highlights the confusion within the Catholic Church regarding divine love and carnal love.
Father Benito is very much a father-figure to Father Amaro. Unfortunately, this has as much a negative impact on the principles of the young priest as any positive influence. It becomes tabloid news that Benito receives donations from drug barons (the outrageously smooth Chato Aguilar). The 'cover-up' campaign that follows in the heavily circumscribed and religiously-pressurised press is an interesting insight into the power of religion historically to regulate, censor and control the media (arguably similar to the way in which dictatorships operate). Father Benito additionally finds it difficult to keep his vow of celibacy as he is also in love, with the mother of Amelia, Sanjuanera.
Other unscrupulous characters include the hypocritical Bishop who, using blackmail and abusing his authority, attempts to cover up scandals within the Church. Then there is the Municipal President who it seems will do anything for an easy life include lying, deceiving and agreeing with anything the Bishop says rather than serve his people (despite what he claims).
Indeed, it is sad that the characters that are the most principled within the film are the ones that suffer some sort of loss recalling the maxim 'nice guys finish last'. Father Natalio represents all that is true within the film- a priest who truly serves his people and fights for what is right. Ironically, due to his moral stance, he is publicly labelled as a guerrilla-supporter and is eventually excommunicated. Likewise, the Church's sexton, Martin's only aim in life is to earn enough to support his retarded daughter Getsemani. After accidentally uncovering the fact that Amaro is using his property to 'be with' Amelia, he is fired by Amaro. The atheist news reporter Ruben and his family meanwhile are severely abused by various members of the community as being 'heretics' after he unveiled the Benito 'drug' story. In other words, Ruben becomes a villain for seeking the truth.
Further Analysis:
The acting in the film is first-class. Gael Garcia Bernal and Sancho Gracia in particular do a fine job of portraying the internal conflicts they face in the course of pursuing their vocations. Elsewhere, a combination of clever character development and emotive performances really brings great depth to each individual character.
The setting for the film is very idyllic, with beautiful countryside, magnificently-built religious buildings and scenic views. These images contrast well to the dark realities that are occurring below the surface of such niceties. The use of choral music within the film is especially good for setting the scene and even introduces a rather chilling element to the film as it draws to its tragic climax. Once again, the use of the choir is used to represent a purity that is tainted by events occurring elsewhere in the film.
Conclusion:
In summary, this film is highly symbolic in that it raises many questions that are contentious and debatable. The virtues of celibacy and issues relating to abortion, handicap, freedom of the press and love itself are all subject to some superb analysis here. It is indeed a film that starts off with great promise and hope (Amaro giving an old man who has just been the subject of a robbery some money) but soon spirals out of control through a series of events that eventually lead to despair and anguish. Thoroughly compelling, highly entertaining, a very, very clever film.
Cast:
Gael García Bernal .... Padre Amaro Ana Claudia Talancón .... Amelia Sancho Gracia .... Padre Benito Angélica Aragón .... Augustina Sanjuanera Luisa Huertas .... Dionisia Ernesto Gómez Cruz .... Obispo/Bishop Gastón Melo .... Martín Damián Alcázar .... Padre Natalio Andrés Montiel .... Rubén Gerardo Moscoso .... Doc Alfredo Gonzáles .... Viejo/Old Man Pedro Armendáriz Jr. .... The Mayor (as Pedro Armendáriz) Verónica Langer .... Amparito Lorenzo de Rodas .... Don Paco Roger Nevares .... Padre Galván Fernando Becerril .... Galarza Jorge Zárate .... Padre Mauro Rosa María Castillo .... Chepina Blanca Loaria .... Getsemaní Juan Ignacio Aranda .... Chato Aguilar
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
ordained priest sent to help an aging priest run a small parish church in rural Mexico. Upon arriving at his new post he meets a beautiful young woman with a reli...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
International superstar Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Amores Perros) stars in the ... more
most Riveting, incendiary and provocative (Megan Turner, New York Post) movie of the year.A recently ordained priest (Bernal) is sent to help an aging priest run...
![El Crimen Del Padre Amaro [DVD] [2003]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78505467.jpg "El Crimen Del Padre Amaro [DVD] [2003]")
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (90%):
helpful by (6%):
