Calvary

During confession, a parishioner tells Father James Lavelle (Brendan Gleeson) that he was abused by a priest as a child, and will kill Lavelle the following Sunday in retribution as the loss of a good priest would be a heavy blow for the Catholic church. The priest spends the week helping out the members of his parish but as darkness draws in, he begins to wonder if he will have the courage to face his personal Calvary.

This film is bleak and disturbing. Full of black humour and powerful moments; it offers a dark look at Ireland and the role of the church in modern times. Nevertheless, it is still one of the most affecting dramas I’ve ever seen, padded out with a marvellous cast as the inhabitants of the village – it explores some very important themes that will stay in your mind long after the credits roll – it’s well worth a watch.

Reece Goodall