Calvary
A priest standing by the shore, a wave crashing behind him.
Movie poster
Directed byJohn Michael McDonagh
Written byJohn Michael McDonagh
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLarry Smith
Edited byChris Gill
Music byPatrick Cassidy
Production
companies
Distributed byEntertainment One[1]
Release dates
  • 19 January 2014 (2014-01-19) (Sundance)
  • 11 April 2014 (2014-04-11)
Running time
101 minutes[2][3]
Countries
LanguageEnglish
Box office$16.9 million[5]

Calvary is a 2014 Irish drama film written and directed by John Michael McDonagh. It stars Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen, Dylan Moran, Domhnall Gleeson, M. Emmet Walsh and Isaach de Bankolé. The film began production in September 2012 and was released in April 2014[6] in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, in July in Australia and in August 2014 in the United States.

The film was screened at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival[7] and at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival.[8]

Plot

Accepting confession from an unseen person, Father James hears how the man suffered regular childhood sexual abuse from a priest who has since died. Father James expresses his lament for the man's pain, but the man boasts that he's planning to murder James. Citing widespread indifference towards priest child abuse, the confessor claims the sacrifice of an innocent priest will draw a stronger outrage than punishment of a guilty one, despite said violence being as senseless and unjust as his own rape. The man gives James a week to set his affairs in order, intending to kill him next Sunday.

Meeting Bishop Garret Montgomery for advice, James finds him very casual about the threats. The bishop suggests it wouldn't violate the sacrament to report, as the crime has yet to be committed and the perpetrator seeks no forgiveness; ultimately, he leaves it to James to decide whether to notify the police. James instead decides to continue his parish duties as normal, but encounters a lot of hostility from a number of locals. James is also visited by his daughter, Fiona, from his marriage prior to his ordination. James attempts to discuss her attempted suicide, but she blames it on a failed relationship.

James hears local butcher Jack Brennan has hit his unfaithful wife, Veronica, and James confronts each of them in turn. Jack denies it and blames Veronica's lover, Simon, and both parties attest that they're tired of their marriage. James tries to speak with Simon, who is inherently hostile due to violent Catholic missions in his native Africa. James discusses Simon with his colleague, Father Leary, but is frustrated when Leary suggests ignoring Veronica's injuries, fearing Simon may accuse them of racism.

As part of his pastoral duties, James takes supplies to Gerald, an elderly, American writer. Gerald requests James obtain him a gun for his next visit, wishing to take his own life should his pain or senility become too much to bear. James visits Inspector Stanton, a retired officer, and borrows an antique revolver. Stanton comments that, early in his career, he arrested a priest on rape accusations, but was himself reassigned elsewhere while the priest escaped as a missionary. James is visited by Milo, who expresses concerns about feelings of suicide, loneliness, and pornography addiction. Milo asks about the ethics of murder in the military, feeling it is his only route of escape due to his lack of qualifications. James suggests Milo simply move somewhere less isolated, but Milo refuses to relent.

Millionaire banker Michael Fitzgerald requests a house visit from Father James. Michael bemoans that his family has deserted him, that he does not feel guilt for economic exploitation, and he feels detached from reality. Fitzgerald drunkenly boasts of his wealth while insulting James, and James responds that he cannot grant penance to someone who only wishes to mock; Fitzgerald responds by throwing a rare painting on the floor and urinating on it. At the hospital, James performs the last rites for a man fatally injured by drunk driver, and comforts the man's miraculously unscathed widow, Teresa. She bravely accepts her husband's death, believing life with love lost is better than a life without knowing love.

James visits serial killer and cannibal Freddie Joyce in jail, who asks for forgiveness but insists he cannot recall where one particular victim is buried. James initially accuses Joyce of insincerity, but later pities that if God cannot understand him then nobody can. That night, the village attends a gathering at the local pub, only for the church to be destroyed in arson. The bishop insists James surrender his would-be killer for the arson, but James relents; as many parishioners have grievances with the church or him personally, James cannot be certain the killer is the arsonist. Fitzgerald offers a large sum of money to rebuild the church to the delight of Father Leary, to which James views both with great distaste. Fiona tearfully confronts James, arguing that she felt abandoned when he recovered from alcoholism after her mother's death only to leave and become a priest; James apologizes and tells Fiona he will never abandon her, spiritually at least, and they reconcile.

That night, James finds his dog, Bruno, dead with his throat cut. James tearfully buries him, concealing his death from Fiona the next morning as he drives her to the train station. Walking a country lane, James has an innocent conversation with a young girl, only to be antagonized by her father. At the pub, James is mocked by the drunk locals, pushing him to drink heavily. When told to leave, James destroys the bar with the antique revolver, prompting publican Brendan to attack him with a bat. Father Leary finds James, bloody and drunk, and chides him as Brendan is a Buddhist; James berates Leary, mocking his ignorance and his uselessness as a priest. The next morning, James finds Leary exiting in a taxi without his clerical collar, and Leary admits to strong doubts of faith. James apologizes for his insults and claims to not hate Leary, but admits that he dislikes Leary's lack of integrity.

James decides to fly to Dublin to avoid his murder, and happens across the widow, Teresa. Seeing the coffin of Teresa's husband being disrespected by the airport staff, James instead returns to his parish. En route to the beach on the fateful Sunday, James meets Gerald. Gerald cheerfully boasts he finished his book, and James compliments his skills as a writer and wishes him well. James calls Fiona, saying sin is considered too much and virtue not enough. He stresses the importance of forgiveness, and they completely reconcile. James throws his revolver off a cliff and into the sea, and a distressed Fitzgerald appears, implicitly intent on suicide. James promises to visit him later and help him through his issues, and embraces the tearful Fitzgerald.

James waits on the beach as butcher Jack Brennan strides along the shore towards James, holding a gun. Jack confesses to the arson and to hitting Veronica, but denies killing Bruno. Hearing that James shed tears over his dog, Jack asks if he cried similarly over news reports concerning children abused by priests. James admits not, instead feeling detached; the enraged Jack shoots James in the side. An altar boy, Mícháel, runs towards them, but James shouts at him to flee, and he rushes for help. Jack struggles to kill James, who assures him it is not too late to stop. Jack claims otherwise, and tells James to say his prayers; James says he already has, and Jack executes him with a shot to the head.

In brief tableaux, we see the parishioners and Teresa going about their quotidian lives. The final scene ends as Fiona visits Jack in prison, each tentatively picking up a telephone handset to talk across the intervening glass panel as the film cuts to black.

Cast

Production

Development

McDonagh conceived the idea for Calvary and wrote the screenplay while filming The Guard with Gleeson in late 2009. McDonagh explained the intentions he had for the film: "There are probably films in development about priests which involve abuse. My remit is to do the opposite of what other people do, and I wanted to make a film about a good priest." He elaborates that it is tonally "in the same darkly comedic vein as The Guard, but with a much more serious and dramatic narrative."[14] Gleeson's casting was announced in October 2011.[14] The casting of Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly and Aidan Gillen was announced in February 2012,[10] while further casting was announced in August 2012.[12]

Principal photography

Filming began on 24 September 2012.[11] The production spent three weeks shooting in and around County Sligo primarily in the town of Easkey where the film is set and also on the Streedagh beach in north county Sligo, with some shooting in Ardgillan Castle Balbriggan Dublin followed by two weeks of filming in Rush, Dublin.[12]

Reception

Box office

Calvary had its world premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.[7] Fox Searchlight secured distribution rights for the US and select international territories.[15] Calvary made its European premiere at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival[8] and its Irish premiere as the gala opening of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival on 13 February 2014.[16] The film earned $16.9 million worldwide.[5]

Critical response

Calvary received positive reviews from critics and has a "certified fresh" score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 158 reviews with an average rating of 7.6/10. The critical consensus states "Led by a brilliant performance from Brendan Gleeson, Calvary tackles weighty issues with humour, intelligence, and sensitivity."[17] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 77 out of 100, based on 42 critics, indicating "generally favourable reviews".[18]

Justin Chang of Variety magazine praised Gleeson for his soulful performance, called the film a "masterful follow-up to The Guard", and predicted near-certain critical plaudits at a distinguished arthouse reception for the film.[19] Tim Griersen of Screen International also praised Gleeson for his performance and the film, calling it "A rich character drama that's equally eloquent and despairing, Calvary carries a weary resignation that feels lived-in and deeply considered." He cautions that the film might prove to be a hard sell as it examines religious faith and does not fit in an easily marketable genre.[2] Xan Brooks of The Guardian comments on the self-referential nature of the film, and also calls the film "terrific (at least until the denouement, when it rather strains for grandeur)". Brooks gives the film 4/5.[20]

Praising Calvary for its treatment of its weighty thematic elements, Lauren Ely for First Things wrote: "Is it possible for a film to capture the horror of the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church while at the same time presenting a case for the necessity of the institutional priesthood? Against all odds, this is exactly what Irish director John Michael McDonagh's Calvary manages to do."[21] In his review, the cultural commentator and Catholic bishop Robert Barron writes that the film "shows, with extraordinary vividness, what authentic spiritual shepherding looks like and how it feels for a priest to have a shepherd's heart."[22]

Xan Brooks in The Guardian compared it to a mysterious and surreal retelling of the Passion.[23]

Awards

Award Date of Ceremony Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref(s)
British Independent Film Awards 7 December 2014 Best British Independent Film Calvary Nominated [24]
Best Director John Michael McDonagh Nominated
Best Actor Brendan Gleeson Won
Best Screenplay John Michael McDonagh Nominated
Berlin International Film Festival 17 February 2014 Prize of the Ecumenical Jury Calvary Won [25]
European Film Awards 13 December 2014 European Actor Brendan Gleeson Nominated [26]
Irish Film and Television Awards April 5, 2014 Best Film Calvary Won [27]
Best Lead Actor - Film Brendan Gleeson Won
Best Screenplay - Film John Michael McDonagh Won
Best Director - Film John Michael McDonagh Nominated
Best Supporting Actress - Film Orla O'Rourke Nominated
Best Original Score Patrick Cassidy Nominated
Saturn Award June 25, 2015 Best International Film Calvary Nominated [28]

References

  1. ↑ "Calvary (2014)". Irish Film Classification Office. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  2. 1 2 Tim Grierson (20 January 2014). "Calvary". Screen International.
  3. ↑ "CALVARY | British Board of Film Classification". Bbfc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "LUMIERE : Film #47115 : Calvary".
  5. 1 2 "Calvary". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  6. ↑ "Brendan Gleeson Gets Threatened For Being Too Nice In Calvary Trailer". CinemaBlend.com. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  7. 1 2 "'Calvary' & 'The Last Days of Peter Bergmann' join 'Frank' at Sundance 2014". Film Ireland. 11 December 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  8. 1 2 "| Berlinale | Archive | Annual Archives | 2014 | Programme - Calvary". Berlinale.de. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Kemp, Stuart (9 February 2012). "Berlin 2012: Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd and Aidan Gillen Sign Up for John Michael McDonagh's 'Calvary'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Tartaglione, Nancy (9 February 2012). "Protagonist To Proffer John Michael McDonagh's 'Calvary': Berlin". deadline.com. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  11. 1 2 Hall, Eva (3 October 2012). "John Michael McDonagh's 'Calvary' Begins Filming as Dylan Moran Joins Cast". iftn.ie. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cummins, Steve (23 August 2012). "Exclusive: John Michael McDonagh Confirms 'Calvary' Production Date". iftn.ie. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  13. ↑ Kemp, Stuart (2 October 2012). "'Calvary': Dylan Moran, Marie Josée Crozé and Isaach De Bankolé Join the John Michael McDonagh Film". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  14. 1 2 Lyttleton, Oliver (21 October 2011). "'The Guard' Writer/Director John Michael McDonagh Reteaming With Brendan Gleeson For Drama 'Calvary'". blogs.indiewire.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012. around the same mark as the $7m budget
  15. ↑ "Sundance Update: Fox Searchlight Lands Brendan Gleeson Pic 'Calvary'". Deadline.com. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  16. ↑ "Irish film Calvary to open Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2014". Joe.ie. 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  17. ↑ "Calvary". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  18. ↑ "Calvary Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  19. ↑ Justin Chang (20 January 2014). "Sundance Film Review: 'Calvary'". Variety.
  20. ↑ Xan Brooks (20 January 2014). "Calvary: Sundance 2014 – first look review". The Guardian. London.
  21. ↑ Ely, Lauren (5 August 2014). "The Scandal of Calvary". www.firstthings.com. First Things. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  22. ↑ Barron, Robert (9 September 2014). ""Calvary" and a Portrait of a Real Priest". www.wordonfire.org. Word on Fire Article. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  23. ↑ Brooks, Xan (13 April 2014). "Calvary review – 'a terrific black comedy that touches greatness'". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  24. ↑ "Winners Nominations · BIFA · British Independent Film Awards". BIFA · British Independent Film Awards. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  25. ↑ "Irish film CALVARY wins independent jury award at the Berlin Film Festival". Irish Film Board. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  26. ↑ "Brendan Gleeson Nominated For 2014 European Film Award". IFTN. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  27. ↑ "IFTA 2014 WINNERS". IFTA Academy. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  28. ↑ "2015 Saturn Awards: 'Captain America: Winter Soldier,' 'Walking Dead' lead nominees". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
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