Calvary: Movie Analysis

From Detachment to Authentic Forgiveness, Empathy, and Hope: Participating in the Spirit’s Solidarity with the Poor and Sinners Calvary starts with Jack’s confessional with his face blurred by the screen. Rather than a usual listing of grave sins, the man begins with announcing that was molested by a priest for five years as a boy. Now, he is looking for someone to compensate for the sin of the priest. Since the priest who violated him is dead, and above all, killing a bad priest would not make an impression sufficient to express his wrath, he was going to murder an innocent one instead - namely, Father James. Jack would grant him seven more days to live. Hence, the title of this movie, Calvary reminds us of the atonement of Jesus Christ for the sin of the fallen humanity and creation. Yet the development of the story has less to do with the looming threat of murder, but rather with Father James’ daily interactions with his parishioners in the town. Religion once used to serve as a glue to hold the community together, but it has lost its importance. Hence, Father James’ pastoring ministry faces cold shoulder, and rarely seems to bear fruits. The futility of his pastoring in the town …show more content…
The secularism of the West, as Taylor charges, has left us leading hollow and atomized lives that are devoid of “fullness”. The small town in Sligo also seems to be locked in this sort of immanent frame. The people of the small town go to church and receive the Sacraments. Yet they lost their faith in God. Brendan denounces the Church for greed and collaboration with the Nazis; Simon criticizes the Church for the racism in its missions. Stanton mocks the concept of confession and forgiveness, which gives sinners a license to take an easy way out. Frank ridicules a God who could permit injustice and horror in the