it's a rare event when i see a film twice on the big screen
but after the first viewing of calvary i knew two would work
the missed dialogue due to broad irish accents the main excuse
a powerful first line - i first tasted semen when i was 7 years old
this to father james (brendan gleeson) in the confession booth
with then the unsighted confessor providing graphic details
brutally raped by a priest every other day for 5 long years
his decision now to seek revenge by killing a good priest
father james then given 7 days to 'put his house in order'
he is then seen meeting his troubled daughter off a train
fiona has attempted suicide after the death of her mother
she feeling abandoned more with her father now a priest
at the (small) town pub we meet some of the oddball locals
jack the butcher, aidan the doctor and brendan the proprietor
all with deadpan heavily-accented inappropriate comments
the film then starts to step through each day of the given week
father james going about his pastoral care work in the community
we are in a small town in county sligo on the rugged irish coast
the weather is dull and grey so well suiting the mood of the film
there's an elderly writer who has a special request for father james
wants a gun to end his life when he chooses - the father consenting
he is then seen meeting the local policeman at his home to do the deal
clearly the cop is not only corrupt but also an unashamed sexual pervert
the gun obtained but also suggested father james has self-defense in mind
a visit to the butcher's estranged wife showing signs of a savage beating
then an unsettling scene surrounded by dead animals at jack's workplace
jack denying he responsible but her new lover the mechanic most likely
he - simon - from the ivory coast admitting cultural differences at work
and finally - michael fitzgerald - local rich man - has his own problems
blatantly arrogant and wondering why abandoned by his wife and kids
phew - a very strong set of characters (and actors) in the supporting cast
then as the week works through strange things start happening in town
the church burns to the ground and the father's dog is savagely killed
father james cries over this and then though an alcoholic hits the drink
this at the pub where the cast of troubled locals are all in attendance
father james is tormented by the doctor with a chilling tale of a small boy
an anaesthetist's mistake leaving him deaf, dumb, blind and fully paralyzed
imagine - being locked in your own body in the dark and quiet - forever
this tips father james over the edge and he explodes in a fit of rage
why the fook would you tell me that - he screams - several times
yet another incident in a long week where his faith has been tested
out comes the gun and shots are fired and his flock are threatened
this leads to his own beating and next day very hungover and sore
decides to leave town and heads to the airport to fly out to dublin
but something - not clearly stated - forces a change of his mind
the sight of a coffin being loaded a symbol of his death maybe
the impending sunday arrives and preparations are underway
he goes to the beach as instructed and the confessor also arrives
what follows is one of the most powerful scenes i have ever watched
a deeply troubled pedophile victim confronting an innocent good priest
the seriously good build-up to this scene surpassed by the delivery here
the climax - breath-taking and mind-blowing - expected but stunning
but then the final scene - the confessor in prison with a visitor
fiona with tears streaming and a hand pressed to the glass
the words about to be spoken and - cut - totally brilliant
troubled souls in a small coastal town - i.e. leviathan
every person in the theatre sitting in stunned silence
me for the second time - and i'd do it again...
