Movies And All Things Film

The Petrified Forest (1936)


I only watched this after a music track uses samples from the film which I'll post on the listening thread gave me a link to it. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Featuring Bette Davis and Humphry Bogart (in a breakthrough role) it's essentially Leslie Howard's film, playing a travelling intellectual where events conspire to have himself and a bunch of other people holed up in a desert diner for most of the film's duration. Adapted from a stage play it touches noticably on gender and racial issues and has very a philosophical bent, and considering the time of release a lot is still relevant now. At times the dialogue is a bit dated and unrealistic but hey...

Calvary


Brendan Gleeson is one of my favourite actors and this is one of his finest roles. He plays Father James, a devout priest and conscientious man who, during a confessional at the beginning of the film hears about the sexual abuse suffered by a victim as a child, and then, how the victim intends to kill him in a week - because he's a good priest.

Anchored by Gleeson's award winning performance, this is chock full of ensemble support including a fair number of comic actors but despite being peppered with humour throughout, this isn't a comedy film and tackles weighty issues brilliantly. Thoroughly recommended if in the mood for thought provoking fare.

Arthur Brain said:

Calvary

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234003/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_calvary

Brendan Gleeson is one of my favourite actors and this is one of his finest roles. He plays Father James, a devout priest and conscientious man who, during a confessional at the beginning of the film hears about the sexual abuse suffered by a victim as a child, and then, how the victim intends to kill him in a week - because he's a good priest.

Anchored by Gleeson's award winning performance, this is chock full of ensemble support including a fair number of comic actors but despite being peppered with humour throughout, this isn't a comedy film and tackles weighty issues brilliantly. Thoroughly recommended if in the mood for thought provoking fare.

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I'm going to have to watch this.

annabenedetti said:

I'm going to have to watch this.

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I think you'll appreciate it.

Arthur Brain said:

I think you'll appreciate it.

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Thanks for the recommendation, looking forward to it!