Click to read the article
Comment
10/18/08
The Crime of Padre Amaro (2002)
62
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:82
Fresh:51
Rotten:31
Average Rating:6.2/10
Consensus: Though melodramatic, El Crimen del Padre Amaro's critique of the Catholic church is a timely one.
Runtime: 2 hrs
Genre: Dramas
US Box Office: $5,433,078
Synopsis: Gael Garcia Bernal (Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, AMORES PERROS) stars in EL CRIMEN DEL PADRE AMARO, a controversial drama that was a box office smash in its native Mexico. Directed by Carlos Carrera, the... [More]
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Ana Claudia Talancon, Sancho Gracia, Angelica Aragon
Director: Carlos Carrera
Reviews for The Crime of Padre Amaro
Top CriticClick to read the article
05/30/03
Top CriticIt's riveting and on-message, and showcases a new facet of a brilliant actor's burgeoning career.
11/19/02
Though some liberties were presumably taken in order to set the action in the present, there is nonetheless the disturbing suggestion that where the Catholic church is concerned, little has changed where much needs changing.
11/14/02
For all the trouble it caused and all the pesos it brought in, Padre Amaro is a surprisingly lacking film.
11/24/02
Has difficulty choosing, and maintaining, an even pitch.
11/11/02
Carrera's direct, unadorned style has none of the searing imagery or cinematic imagination of "Y Tu Mama," but it bristles with passion, anger and a palpable sense of betrayal.
11/21/02
Carrera gets solid performances from the strong cast led by García Bernal.
11/21/02
At two hours, the movie goes on too long and resolves too little -- even though it provides some interesting moments along the way.
11/24/02
A muckraking tale of priestly corruption, hypocrisy and illicit love that smothers its reformist protest beneath a sweaty cassock of sexual soap opera and overheated religious symbolism...
03/06/03
The source of fascination is observing how the characters develop and understanding the underlying influences that affect every action and decision.
11/12/02
A substantive parable about an honorable young priest corrupted by desire, temptation, ego and ethical turpitude within the Catholic Church.
11/15/02
The film is based on an 1875 novel but couldn’t be more timely .
01/31/03
A vivid portrait of an enthusiastic young priest who sets aside his ideals and devotion in the pursuit of power and sexual satisfaction.
11/14/02
Truth be told, The Crime of Father Amaro isn't very compelling.
01/31/03
It's hard to be certain without the benefit of detailed cultural context, but one gets the hunch that Carrera himself isn't all that clear about where he draws the line between the dramatic and parodic.
12/13/02
The film moves from plot point to plot point methodically, and it feels as if it is working harder to cover all bases than to provide a memorable cinematic experience.
11/18/02
long on licentiousness and short on subtlety...Amaro is given no arc - he simply leaps off one
11/27/02
...it tries to do far too much [story telling] in the allotted time.
11/27/02
Just turn on Univision or Telemundo some night and see the same thing without the highfalutin pretensions.
11/22/02
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
Dressing Wonderland 
Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.
Wes Anderson on Fox
The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Win Glee DVDs
We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.
Win tickets to Cold Souls
Double passes up for grabs to the new comedy starring Paul Giamatti.
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser
Win the entire 007 collection
Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection
IGN RSS Feeds