El Crimen Del Padre Amaro would likely be most effective if used as a tool to rally anti-Catholic protestors.
The Crime of Padre Amaro (2002)
Tomatometer
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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: Foreign Films
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... 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 film tells the story of a young priest who succumbs to temptation and corruption. Father Amaro (Bernal) is a handsome 24-year-old who has recently been assigned to a new church in Los Reyes. Upon arrival, he discovers that his mentor, Father Benito (Sancho Garcia), is having an affair with a local restaurant owner, Sanjuanera (Angelica Aragon). At first shocked, Father Amaro soon finds himself in a moral predicament of his own. Amelia (Ana Claudia Talancon), Sanjuanera's 16-year-old daughter, is a gorgeous teenager who falls deeply in love with the tempted priest. Before long, Father Amaro and Amelia are entangled in a steamy relationship, further testing the young priest's moral fiber. Based on the classic Portuguese novel by Eca de Quieroz, Carrera's film is a scathing indictment of the hypocrisy and corruption that has plagued the Catholic church from its inception. As the confused and conflicted priest, Bernal delivers another magnetic performance, cementing his status as one of Mexico's hottest superstars. [More]
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Ana Claudia Talancon, Sancho Gracia, Angelica Aragon
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Ana Claudia Talancon, Sancho Gracia, Angelica Aragon, Pedro Armendariz
Director: Carlos Carrera
Director: Carlos Carrera
Screenwriter: Vicente Lenero
Producer: Alfredo Ripstein, Daniel Birman Ripstein
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Reviews for The Crime of Padre Amaro
This rather unfocused, all-over-the-map movie would be a lot better if it pared down its plots and characters to a few rather than dozens... or if it were subtler... or if it had a sense of humor.
Bernal ... gives an ambiguous performance; he's a lightweight actor, but that's a positive quality when portraying a man on whom nothing leaves a permanent mark.
...it’s junk, but it’s tasty junk — you’re fooling yourself if you think its politics run any deeper than the true yet obvious observation that power corrupts some people.
Don't hate El Crimen del Padre Amaro because it's anti-Catholic. Hate it because it's lousy.
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.
A lurid but timeless reminder that the bureaucracies and regulations of organized religion have nothing to do -- indeed are often at odds -- with living a God-ward life.
García Bernal and Talancón are an immensely appealing couple, and even though their story is predictable, you'll want things to work out.
Nothing more than a stifling morality tale dressed up in peekaboo clothing.
The director Carlos Carrera, who is acceptably talented, keeps the story on track -- on its various tracks.
Lurid drama that goes to ridiculously great lengths to draw its sad and tawdry picture.
Take away the controversy, and it's not much more watchable than a Mexican soap opera.
Works itself into a lather of passion, anguish and tragedy, but there's more to this Mexican movie than straight soap opera.
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