Priest (Film Review)

1994 Miramax
Directed by: Antonia Bird; Written by: Jimmy McGovern
Starring: Linus Roache, Tom Wilkinson, Robert Carlyle, and Cathy Tyson
MPAA Rating: R; Running Time: 105 Minutes
The Nicsperiment Score: 9/10

Father Greg wants to bring firm conviction and discipline to his new, inner-city Liverpool parish. He's surprised to find that his new colleague, Father Matthew, not only believes a lighter touch is necessary, but has an open secret, long-time romantic relationship with the rectory housekeeper, Maria. Still, Greg is firm in his convictions, until he meets a moral quandary: one of his young parishioners is being sexually abused by her father, and because she's admitted this during the sacred act of confession, Greg can't take any action that shows he is privy to this shocking truth. Instead, all he can do is blow off steam...which he does by visiting the local gay bar, and picking up the kind and sensitive Graham, a one night stand who turns into something more. Now, Greg finds that he's become a hypocrite who doesn't practice what he preaches, and a bystander who is allowing the letter of his religion to stop him from helping the very parishioners he's sworn to save. His entire life is a house of cards...and it's all about to come crashing down.
With a different marketing team, director, Antonia Bird, could have had an entirely different career. Essentially billed as a lurid, provocative, transgressive finger in the eye of organized religion, and rabidly boycotted by the offended parties, Priest is actually a thoughtful and sensitive meditation on legalism and grace, as well as nuanced character study. While it doesn't shy away from its difficult subject matter, Bird brings a realism and care to the material that is nearly unparalleled. 

As in her other four feature films, Priest finds Bird coaxing some brilliant work from her lead actors. Linus Roache gives perhaps the finest performance of his career as the conflicted titular character, believably bringing to life all sides of this multi-faceted character. Meanwhile, the always excellent Tom Wilkinson is able to be at once a conundrum and a comforting presence, able to make his character's singular theology feel fully-lived in and realized.
It wouldn't be a Bird flick (with the exception of Mad Love) without the presence of Robert Carlyle. As Graham, Greg's lover, Carlyle is able to convey a tender acceptance that's just as on par in quality and believable as his more famous, menacing performances. His character here is actually emblematic of Bird's style as a whole. He's constantly in Greg's face, just as Greg tries to push his existence under the rug, yet vulnerable, and exuding real love and care. Likewise, Bird may, at times, dip just a bit into melodrama, but she's also constantly forcing viewers to confront truth and the real difficulties of an Earthbound life. Her films all tackle difficult subjects, and yet she's able to bring feeling and care to seemingly impenetrable material. Priest, with an ending so full of incredible empathy and power, it absolutely has to be experienced, is Bird's masterwork.