Priest (1994) – Gay Interest Film Review
A Controversial Gay Religious Movie Written by Jimmy McGovern
Jul 31, 2009
Written by Jimmy McGovern (of the critically acclaimed series Cracker), Priest was, on its release, a controversial film that dared to weigh-in on the subjects of gay clergy, homosexuality as a form of love, religious confessional vows and incest, and was denounced as attacking the Roman Catholic faith. In spite of this, Priest remains one of the standout British gay films of the modern era.
Plot Summary for Gay Interest Movie Priest
Father Greg Pilkington (the eloquent Linus Roache) is cast into spiritual turmoil as his sense of what is right and the strict moral code of the church collide when, upon arrival at his new urban parish, he hears the confession of a young girl who is being sexually abused by her father. Already breaking his vow of celibacy by having gay sexual encounters, Greg chooses not to break the law of confessional, condemning the girl to further abuse, a decision that haunts him.
On the sidelines sits Graham (the charismatic live-wire Robert Carlyle), a man that Greg meets one night in a bar and with whom he starts a passionate gay love affair. However, Graham is always second to Greg’s faith, and in the end comes to realise that this will always be the case. The two part ways, but not before Graham and Greg are caught in a clinch by the local police, and very publicly charged.
Condemned by his clergy, under attack form the upper echelons of the church, Father Greg Pilkington is invited by fellow priest Matthew Thomas (the endearingly scruffy Tom Wilkinson) to give the Eucharist as a show of solidarity. No one will receive the Body of Christ from Greg at first, but then the abused girl he failed to help stands before him and asks to receive Communion, thereby offering Greg the forgiveness he desperately needs.
A Sensitive Look at Homosexuality and the Church In Gay Interest Film Priest
Priest exists as a landmark British gay film because of its unwillingness to shy away. Scenes are stripped back to their essential elements; McGovern’s script is sparing, punchy and full of wit (if, at times, a little clunking), whilst all three principle actors deliver performances that access visceral emotions.
Special mention should go to Linus Roache who plays in the title role of Greg with compelling intensity, making every scene, from intimate moments with Robert Carlyle’s Graham in a beautifully shot bedroom sequence, to simple dialogue about the inter-link of faith and sexuality with fellow priest Matthew Thomas, feel heady and pure.
The dynamics that McGovern is able to weave into Priest make for an abrasive but affecting tale of non-judgemental morality, and complimenting this is director Antonia Bird’s uncomplicated influence, a person who chooses her projects sparingly but always brings with her a sense of focus.
This influence is seen particularly in the smash-cut scenes at the apex of Priest which juxtaposes Father Greg’s descent into a helpless crisis of faith, with the incestuous abuse of a young teenage girl, with religious images seeded throughout. It might be that some would find this blunt and unskilled, but so beautifully played is it by all the actors involved that it passes scrutiny to be a moment of anguish and empathy.
Priest and its Gay Themes in the Context of the Mid-1990s
At the time of its release, Priest was criticised for pushing an agenda by both British and American reviewers. This oversimplifies the events of the movie, though. The only person left with their hands unsullied is the child victim, and in this way it is she who can grant absolution to Father Greg. The film is not a gay advocacy film, nor is it an indictment of religion. It is a film of questions, all be it slightly heavy-handed ones.
Priest’s dark themes, its unflinching gaze at the crisis of faith of one Catholic priest, and its determined realism will mean that this quietly beautiful film will not be for everyone, but as a piece of gay cinema, Priest stands as an important British contribution, and one that begs to be watched if nothing more to see actors like Linus Roach and Robert Carlyle give fledgling, and perhaps career making, performances.
Want more gay interest films? Click here for a list of 7 Recommendations for more gay interest dramas.
- Directed by Antonia Bird.
- Written by Jimmy McGovern.
- Starring: Robert Carlyle, Linus Roache and Tom Wilkinson.
- Release date(s): 17 March 1995 (UK); 24 March 1995 (US).
- Running time(s): 105 minutes (UK); 98 minutes (US).
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