CommentsXp Best movie ever!

Cleveronix A different way of telling a story

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Helllins It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

aussiefilmlover As a person raised in a strict Catholic community it warmed my heart to see this movie. I wish it was shown at every Catholic church in the world because the acceptance and forgiveness in this movie is more in keeping with the teachings of Christ than the hate that is spewed by the sheep in his name. How anyone could think this is anti-catholic when it is all about what it means to be a real follower of Jesus and about God's love for all his creations. The only unbelievable thing was that the mother would be able to forgive herself and accept her children when the reality is many Catholics will reject and harm their children rather than question their self-serving dogma.

unsolicitedmale I'm surprised at such a low score for this movie! First, please know that I was born, baptized, and raised Catholic. I've since moved to another religion, but not for any "Catholic hate" reasons at all. So I have a STRONG knowledge of Catholicism. It seems MOST of the negative reviews claim it's "Christian/Catholic bashing"... I would wonder how many of those folks actually WATCHED it or just wrote a review based on a presupposed notion. There is NO Christian bashing at all IMO. Just portraying people such as I've known all my life the way they are, and the portrayal isn't bad in any way, as far as I'm concerned.Overall it's very balanced - yeah there's a few potshots at Catholics ("I don't have to think... I'm Catholic") but overall, the portrayal is VERY accurate to my Catholic upbringing and those in the faith I know today. Sure, hardly ANY nuns still wear the habit - but it's just little things. By and large the portrayal I thought was fair on ALL SIDES, not only for the Catholics but all the other characters.I'll be honest and say I FULLY EXPECTED a "Christians are stupid knuckle dragging Neanderthals" flick - I expected to shut it off half way through. Instead, I watched the whole thing and rather enjoyed it.The movie itself actually plays quite well - Kathleen Turner takes a bit of getting used to because of her very deep, manly voice... but overall, it has a nicely done "indie" feel to it in every way.No, it's NOT an award contender in any way - some of the acting is rather stiff and forced, the plot is predictable, and there are quite a few clichés and stereotypes. But it's VERY watchable, totally held my attention, was touching in places, and ENJOYABLE to watch right up to the end for me.Give it a shot - don't let the negative reviews implying it's a "Christian bashing" flick deter you.

tjwprf The reviews I've read miss the entire point of this script, IMO. KT's character has lived most of her life trying to earn absolution for an act any Catholic woman, and most women who are mothers, would never be able to forgive themselves for (never mind one's political position on choice). She's dedicated her life to good works in her local diocese toward this end and, as a result, is offered the possibility of "complete absolution" of her sin by the church. After 30 years of attending confessional to absolve herself of her petty sins -- taking the lord's name in vain; doubting tenets of her faith -- this possibility of forgiveness for what, as a woman, is unforgivable, means everything to her. When that clashes with the realities of her family situation (gay daughter, divorcing adulterer son, husband who can no longer tolerate her self loathing and resultant intolerance), she must traverse a lot of emotional territory very quickly, because if she wants the absolution she thought mattered most, she has little time to make the case to the Church she has the "right" Catholic family, when everyone she loves needs her forbearance for being who they are, and none of them judges her or, if they knew the facts, would readily forgive her for her One Great Sin.There are clunky scenes, but I loved this story and these characters. (And wish NYT ratings were easier to navigate and edit).

cpatt58 It would be nice for Hollywood to recognize that a lot of good Catholics actually go to the movies. It would be nice to have good movies like the Song of Bernadette or The Bells of St. Mary's. But instead we get this insulting, anti-Catholic movie that attacks all aspect of the Church and its mission. Kathleen Turner deserves an "F" for her performance as the ultra-Catholic Mom. Catholic mothers don't kick the Body of Christ under the rug because has fallen from the paten. It is a very pathetic attempt to spread the Catholic haters venom onto the silver screen. When are you going to learn that few people like going to movies that insult any religion? This piece of garbage needs to be taken to Turner's home and thrown in the trash. She use to be a wonderful actress; now she has stooped so low it is pathetic. Anyone associated with this vile piece of movie making should be blacklisted and punished.