Displaying items by tag: Stephen Rea

THE GOOD SHEPHERD/THE CONFESSOR

US, 2014, 91 minutes, Colour.

Christian Slater, Molly Parker, Stephen Rea, Gordon Pinsent, Nancy Beatty, Von Flores, Colin Glazer.

Directed by Lewin Webb.

The Good Shepherd winter video at the time of its release, a modest thriller. It was also released under the American title, The Confessor, different emphases for the themes, the Good Shepherd focusing on the person of Jesus, his pastoral ministry and care, the alternate title focusing on the issue of the confessional and its relationship to the murders.

The film has a strong Catholic background, not received entirely sympathetically at the time, especially with its presentation of the clergy, Cardinal, the persistent monsignor, the priest fundraising and the business side of the church, then issues of scandals, saving the reputation of the church, the hierarchy more concerned with legal and reputation issues rather than feeling or showing any compassion.

The film opens with a murder, group of young men living in an institute supported by the church, ran for 20 years by a severe widow. She discovers a priest bending over the body of a murdered young man, a male prostitute. He is arrested, protesting his innocence, but having information from confession and bound by the Seal of confession, holding fast to this, an interview with a television journalist, then his being found hanged in his cell.

The principal character has Christian Slater as Father Clemens, a talented financier, strong on fundraising, able to mix socially, wearing his clerical suit, relied on by the Cardinal to make media reports and save the reputation of the church. A very unsympathetic picture of ecclesiastical bureaucrats.

However, Father Clemens becomes persuaded that the priest is innocent, framed, then murdered in the prison. He makes contact with a reporter with whom he was linked in the past. She interviews the priest, raises further issues. Father Clemens is touched by the situation, defies the Cardinal, offers to take over the parish of the dead priest, leaving aside his clerical suit, trying to reach out to the young people, discovering that they go to confession only when forced to by the woman in charge.

Then some of the young people run away, refuge in the church, and the discovery that the confessions are being taped and being used by the woman in charge, who has a drug problem, and a hold over the young people. Then she is found murdered.

There will be  a surprise as to the identity of the killer, his confession, his motivations, his killing himself.

The film ends with Father Clemens, vested, honouring the dead priest and rehabilitating, the hierarchy present.

Molly Parker is the journalist. Stephen Rea is a friend of Father Clemens and supportive in his work.

1. The original title, focus on Jesus as the good Shepherd, on pastoral ministry? The alternate title and the focus on confession and the drama and melodrama?
2. The American city, the church, rectories, institutes for the young, the business aspects of the church, the pastoral dimensions? The musical score, the inclusion of religious chant?
3. The situation, the church, the street, the young men, the pickup, the murder? The background of the dead young man, prostitute, confessions?
4. Father Clemens, age and experience, fundraising, the dinner, the hierarchy and the joke, the gift of wine to the donors, his skills? Well-dressed, the later comments about his way of life, golf, associates, dinners…? His being the spokesperson for the diocese? But his travelling also for fundraising and financial meetings? The image of a priest?
5. Father Andrews, with the dead boy, his denials, the accusations, arrest, in prison, the reaction of the cardinal, the reputation of the church, no humanity or pastoral outreach? His asking for Father Clemens, the interview, Father Clemens and the touch of disdain, yet believing him, arranging the interview with Maddy, her questions? The sudden news of his alleged suicide?
6. The portrait of the Cardinal, nothing spiritual, hard, business, reputation of the church, his demands on Father Clemens? The public statement on the death of Father Andrews? The Bishop associate, a touch more humane, working with the flowers, attentive to the cardinal? The Monsignor, his continued presence, attitude towards Father Clemens, looking and observing?
7. The encounter with Maddy, Father Clemens not making contact, the revelation about the past, his choices, her marriage, its fate, her talent as a reporter? The interview, the sharp questions?
8. McCaran, his friendship with Father Clemens, his role with the diocese, finance, advice? The meetings, his support?
9. Mrs Gallagher, finding Father Andrews with the body, her strictness with the young people? Her personality? The two running away, seeking help from Father Clemens? Her pursuit, harshness?
10. The pastoral crisis for Father Clemens, the cardinal and his ultimatum, his decided to give up the fundraising, to go to the centre, to become a pastor, his visit to the church, the spiritual dimension for his life and ministry? The young man coming to confession, revealing that he was obliged to by Mrs Gallagher?
11. The youngsters, in the church, their fear of Mrs Gallagher, her approaching Father Clemens and Maddy, Maddy searching, the recording of the confessions?
12. Going to the house, finding Mrs Gallagher dead?
13. The detective, the interview with Father Clemens, suspicions, Father Andrews being framed?
14. The further investigations, Maddy supportive of Father Clemens, the church, McCaran arriving, the revelation that he had done the killings, his motivation, his wife, picking up the young men? The confrontation, the confession, the police arriving, his shooting himself?
15. The aftermath, the dedication to Father Andrews, Father Clemens investments, the cardinal others present, praying the Lord’s prayer?