There's a very thin line between black comedy and straight tragedy and this film crosses over that line fairly often. It's messy and occasionally funny and brilliantly acted.
- 20.September.2010
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- by: Cheryl
- Cheryl rated this movie
 0/10
There's a very thin line between black comedy and straight tragedy and this film crosses over that line fairly often. It's messy and occasionally funny and brilliantly acted.
- 20.September.2010
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- by: Cheryl
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One of the darkest and funniest movies I've seen in awhile. Just when I thought they were going to let up - they double down 2/27/10
- 30.May.2010
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- by: heapshake
- heapshake rated this movie0/10
One of the darkest and funniest movies I've seen in awhile. Just when I thought they were going to let up - they double down 2/27/10
- 30.May.2010
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- by: heapshake
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A youngish country minister tends to respond to mockers' snarling doubts (even physical attacks) by saying, quite seriously, "That is very rude." So, yes, I suppose this is a "dark comedy." But it is serious: a man who takes in a small assortment...
- 29.March.2010
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- by: Democritus
- Democritus rated this movie0/10
A youngish country minister tends to respond to mockers' snarling doubts (even physical attacks) by saying, quite seriously, "That is very rude." So, yes, I suppose this is a "dark comedy." But it is serious: a man who takes in a small assortment of societal blowbacks in need of solace and healing. An idealistic man whose basic truth is that "it is futile to fight the good." The arrival of a (post-prison) neo-Nazi tests him. The sullen middle-aged man challenges him with the Bible's book of Job, a tortured man's confrontation with God---or is God merely the giant crocodile, as someone parries? There' s a mysteriously subversive mentality in the director and writer's work that gives "thought-provoking" legitimacy; a great film to watch, then discuss at dinner after. There's dramatic semi-gothic imagery that seems to poke fun at all the seriousness, without puncturing it at all. They call the minister "crazy" -- he just thinks they are impolite. But there are complications dealing with the disturbing reality of his life which come to light (discover those yourself), and the viewer wonders about faith as a delusion or form of denial. (The contrast of man-of-God with the hilariously profane modern doctor in the hospital is amusing if broad.) Yet it also raises questions of what it really means to be caring in this world, or if it is even possible. I was much taken with the movie's ambiguous indecision about all that, but the last 3 minutes startled me when it took a sudden turn toward the magical/miraculous, as if the filmmakers had lost all their nerve and fled back to orthodoxy. I say stop the movie when the man walks into the hospital room and sees the empty bed. It is far too simple and literal after that. Could have easily been five stars, but I will settle on four because of that sweet but trite ending which negates so much of the daring dark/light duality and irresolution in everything that preceded it. Nonetheless, it really got under my skin before that. 1-09
- 29.March.2010
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- by: Democritus
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