Father Greg Pilkington is torn between his call as a conservative Catholic priest and his secret life as a homosexual with a gay lover, frowned upon by the Church. Upon hearing the confession of a young girl of her incestuous father, Greg enters an intensely emotional spiritual struggle deciding between choosing morals over religion and one life over another.
Linus Roache Tom Wilkinson Robert Carlyle Cathy Tyson Lesley Sharp Robert Pugh Christine Tremarco James Ellis Anthony Booth Paul Barber Rio Fanning Marsha Thomason Bill Dean Gilly Coman Fred Pearson Jimmy Gallagher Matyelok Gibbs John Bennett Mandy Walsh Valerie Lilley Kevin Knapman Mauricio Venegas Jimmy Coleman Kim Johnson Keith Cole
Il prete, Priest (Sacerdote), Der Priester, Священик, Священник, O Padre, 神父同志, მღვდელი, 프리스트
UK15
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Canada18A
Toronto Film Festival
Sweden15
Göteborg Film Festival
Sweden15
USA
Netherlands12
Sweden15
Netherlands12
Netherlands12
Canada
Netherlands
Sweden
UK
USA
I have decided to see this film with the reason of looking for an experience in it as well as to see how and in what way they portray these issues since Priest does what cinema should really achieve and does not always do so: make you think as well as reflect everything observed in it, which is directed by Antonia Bird, a very provocative woman when exposing issues without fear of what the viewers think of her works.
Our narrative centers on Father Greg Pilkington, a young Catholic priest, who arrives in a village in Ireland to replace the recently deceased former parish priest. He will soon have to face two thorny problems: the secrecy of confession, even if…
robert carlyle receiving the body of christ from his priest bf like an absolute whore dressed in triple denim miss antonia bird your MIIIIIIIIIIIND
"Sitting in my room, sweating. I turn to him for help. I see a naked man... utterly desirable. I turn to him for help and he just makes it worse. Up there in my room... that's my Gethsemane. I understand humanity then; every sin, every compulsion. I understand it all. Saliva, racing pulse, adrenaline; the ecstasy before the fall."
From director Antonia Bird comes a film that doesn't beat around the bush and doesn't shy away from seeking the truth. It delivers several searing performances from:
-Lesley Sharp
-Robert Pugh
-Tom Wilkinson
-Christine Tremarco
The criminally underrated Cathy Tyson is in this and unfortunately, she is underused.
Everything about the film was strong. Tom Wilkinson's character Father Matthew Thomas called out the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church. It was heartening and saddening to watch, knowing this film was way ahead of its time. Despite not really hearing much about it, it has an instant place in my heart.
Vegan points:
"Meat is murder" apron worn by woman in neck brace
"Get out now, Greg, while you still have your health and strength. Love who you want, when you want. Get out."
"I can't get out. God wants me to be a priest. I don’t think it; I don't just believe it; I know it."
"I'll pray for you."
Women Film Editors #138: Susan Spivey
Five years before directing the memorable cannibal-Western Ravenous, the late great Antonia Bird made her feature debut with Priest, an intense drama of Catholic faith, morality and hypocrisy that feels just as relevant in its themes now as it must have for audiences nearly thirty years ago. Penned by Jimmy McGovern, who had recently created the successful TV series Cracker, the film paints a compelling portrait…
Some of the drama is quite iffy and I'm not sure I buy all the characters, their relationships and their arcs, but man did this get good when the controversy happened with our lead priest and the only character who stood behind him is his fellow priest played by Tom Wilkinson. The level of solidarity Wilkinson shows to Roache is palpable and honestly inspiring. It's rare to see a priest character who genuinely feels like a priest, while embodying the progressive values Wilkinson's character has. It's hilarious to see him bicker with Roache because he can't wrap his head around the uncritical catholic guilt and internalized feelings Roache has.
Wilkinson is the righteously passionate friend whose simple view of the…
