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The crime of Padre Amaro
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Year: 2002
Rated: R
Film Length: 119 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16X9 Enhanced Widescreen (1.85:1)
Subtitles: English, French and Spanish
...lead us not into temptation....
I really put some thought into this. If I was to
be reincarnated as a famous young actor, I think
I would choose to come back as Gael García Bernal.
Here's a young, good-looking actor who has had the
opportunity to play some very erotic roles up
against some of the hottest actresses in the
business. Those of you who took my recommendation
to watch last year's Y Tu Mamá También already
know that Bernal is one of the most promising
international young stars in the movie business.
I was quite excited when I had opened this week's
screener box to find a copy of The crime of
Padre Amaro inside. I had just heard about
this film through it's 2002 Oscar nomination and
Golden Globe win for Best Foreign Film. I
also was excited over the fact that this film looked
to be another steamy tale full of love and lust,
something I never tire of watching. Truth of the
matter here is that while some may find an abundance
of lust in The crime of Padre Amaro, I am
afraid many people will be somewhat offended by the
film's central themes that deal with a lustful priest,
a sexually curious virgin, a corrupt bishop, pregnancy,
and abortion. It's no wonder that this controversial
film is a tremendous success in Mexico, where it
now ranks as the highest-grossing domestic film in
that country's history.
The film is based on the 1870's Portuguese novel
El Crimen del Padre Amaro, by Eça de Queirós.
The story has updated to present day and set in rural
Mexico. As the film begins, we meet Padre Amaro
(Gael García Bernal), a newly ordained priest who
has been brought to the small Mexican town of Los
Reyes to assist Padre Benito (Sancho Gracia), the
older priest of the parish, who in his years as
the head of the local church has managed to tuck
away a few dark secrets, including the fact that
he has a mistress on the side who runs the local
restaurant.
Father Amaro, who shows surprise at the affair of
his superior, soon finds himself falling for a young
girl (Ana Claudia Talacon) who is continually arguing
with her boyfriend (Gaston Melo). Spiritually devoted
yet sexually curious, she's managed to eroticize both
Christ and his handsome earthly representative. It
isn't long before the handsome young priest is found
fumbling his fingers within her buttoned blouse.
In a side story, Padre Benito is involved with a
kingpin drug dealer, accepting laundered money
contributions. Of course, Benito justifies his
actions as minor necessary evils serving a greater
good -- the laundered money funds a new hospital.
How is the transfer?
Overall, this transfer looks above average. Colors
are nicely rendered and fully saturated, with
accurately represented fleshtones. Black levels
aren't exceptionally deep as the film sometimes
takes on dull tones. I also noticed the appearance
of occasional background noise, particularly in
building walls and various skyline shots. Of course,
I am just being my usual nit picky self here.
The film's Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Track (you
should not watch this dubbed) sounds very spacial
with dialogue that is nicely rendered and clearly
audible. With excellent audio separation across
the fronts, the rears provide some much needed
ambiance to many of the outdoor sequences as well
as adding echo to many of the film's church sequences.
In addition, Rosino Serrano's synthesized and often
choral-filled score wraps itself nicely across the
rear channels.
Special Features
What initially seemed to be an error on MGM's
release of Y Tu Mamá También, has now become
a cruel joke on this DVD. Yes, folks, the
full-length commentary with director Carlos
Carrera and accompanying actor is entirely in Spanish.
Now I ask you, why on earth did Columbia include
a foreign commentary for a English-speaking audience?
Even more disturbing, why did Columbia market this
DVD for Region 1 audiences without giving any
back-cover specs warning of its content? I feel
sorry for Americans who buy this DVD anticipating
the advertised commentary, only to pop the DVD in
and find out its all in Spanish. Will the studios
kindly please advertise the fact that these
commentaries are in a foreign language?
Interestingly, we get two of the same (but separate)
making of featurettes -- one in English and
one in Spanish. Running 5 minutes in length, this
is strictly promotional fare that can easily be
skipped. Nothing is learned here other than the fact
that the filming of the movie was mobbed by fans
who wanted to get a glimpse of Gael García Bernal.
Oh, big whoop! A Poster Gallery gives us
a look at approximately 6 different poster designs
used to promote the film.
The film's domestic and international trailers
are included here as well as a trailer for Talk
To Her, a film by Pedro Almodóvar. A cast and
crew filmography is also included.
Final Thoughts
Forget the Special Features on this DVD. They are
useless to anyone who does not understand Spanish
and/or doesn't need to see a glossy featurette.
What counts here is the film. That is what I am
selling this DVD on.
As I mentioned previously, The crime of Padre Amaro
is filled with enough sin that it will probably
offend everyone who sees it. Yet, it is the mere
fact that this film dwells into the modern-day
traumas regarding church scandals that makes this
movie powerful and hard-hitting.
If you know what you are getting into before you
rent or purchase this, I promise that this to be
a highly provoking and compelling film well worth
watching. For that reason it receives a HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED status.
Release Date: April 22, 2003
All screen captures have been further compressed.
They are for illustrative purposes only and do not
represent actual picture quality
