In the Name of... (2013)

Just what I expected

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

The acting in this movie is really good.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

*** This review may contain spoilers ***I am gay and have known a couple gay priests so can evaluate this movie fairly well. Adam a closeted priest (is there any other option?) has trouble with his libido around young men---he is decent and does good work so the church just moves him around when anything questionable happens. The movie implies he is not completely innocent but after all human. He meets his true love whom he convinces to become a priest? (In final scene).I found some of the things distracting there are far too many group scenes in the first hour or so with scene after scene with a dozen boys talking at the same time....I really dislike this method of plot story development as it is frankly irritating. It is supposed to show the hectic atmosphere of this half way house from reform school. One or two such scenes would have been plenty--besides being annoying to take in; it makes the story line harder to follow.The movie is very pro-church perhaps only in Poland would such a movie be made... The couple priests I knew had no trouble being sexually active and frequenting gay bars playing pool with donation quarters etc...The "happy" ending is kind of corny...Indicating I suppose the Adam is a first and eventually gay priests will be married including to each other. Symbolism was literally spelled out in this movie with the T-shirt logos...and the Niagra supermarket being burned down by Adams lover---can't stop the force of so much water/love etc I suppose...The scenery has a touch of the digital to it but not in a bad way it actually enhances things the most perfect Polish countryside you'll never see....the light touch is key here. When ever trees have all their leaves moving is a give away.I like to see incidental gay characters not tragic problematic gay dramas no matter how real they are they....we are finally starting to see more of this thank God.Over all if you are pro religion this is a good thoughtful movie...it is too pro organized religion they are made out a bit too perfect also Adam is too perfect. I prefer thinking of them putting donation quarters in pool tables. That is the reality I witnessed.Recommend

Andrej Chyra (Father Adam), Mateusz Koskiukiewicz (the tongue-tied Lukasz) and Tomas Schuchard (the streetwise Blondie)are superb. But this is writer/director Malgorzata Szumowski's film and it is original, fresh. It proves once again the power of art to make sympathetic a character you wouldn't have believed was worthy of consideration based on the facts alone. I mean the conscience-tormented Father Adam who is enveloped in a haze of homoeroticism generated by the late-teenage youths at a Polish reformatory camp. Given the emotional and affectional undernourishment among both the adults and the youths it is unsurprising that desire emerges here and there. But Father Adam is no predator pedophile exploiting altar boys. He is a sincere man devoted to the well-being of his wards and his temptations come in the form of youths past the age of consent played by actors well-past that age.

Polish screenwriter, producer and director Malgorzata Szumowska's fifth feature film which she co-wrote with Polish screenwriter and cinematographer Michal Englert and co-produced, is inspired by an article she read in a newspaper. It premiered In competition at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival in 2013, was shot on location in Poland and is a Polish production which was produced by producer Agnieszka Kurzydlo. It tells the story about a Polish Catholic priest named Adam whom has been moved from his position in Warsaw and transferred to a rural village where he in addition to practicing and performing his duties as a priest manages a center for disadvantaged young boys with his friend named Michal. Adam starts becoming friendly with a woman named Ewa whilst he is staying there, but as Adam's colleague, the young boys he is working with and the people who lives there, she is unaware that Adam is hiding something.Distinctly and subtly directed by European filmmaker Malgorzata Szumowska, this finely paced fictional tale which is narrated from multiple viewpoints though mostly from the main character's point of view, draws a mindful portrayal of a man of faith who does not have priest written all over him, who is in an ongoing ordeal with chastising himself and his relationship with a younger man named Lukasz. While notable for its naturalistic and atmospheric milieu depictions, fine production design by production designer Marek Zawierucha, sterling cinematography by Polish cinematographer Michal Englert and use of colors and light, this narrative-driven story which quietly and efficiently conveys how in some cases intolerance and certain traditional views can undermine the dignity of, cause involuntary and unnecessary loneliness and in the worst case scenario make someone think that they have no place in a society and that they in staying true to themselves have betrayed others in an unredeemable way, depicts a heartrending and empathic study of character and contains a great instrumental score by composers Pawel Mykietyn and Adam Walicki.This modestly romantic, at times humorous, somewhat impassioned, conversational and far from overly theological, political or preaching drama which is set during a summer in Poland in the 21st century and which salutes the human spirit and its unwritten right to pursue its true nature is an exemplary and pivotal contribution to modern cinema from a filmmaker who in the name of… tells this love-story in the same way as a heterosexual love-story would be told and whose love for her characters and for cinema shines through, and is impelled and reinforced by its cogent narrative structure, subtle character development and continuity, various characters, timely and efficient use of music, unsettling though poignant analogy, commendable and humane examination of its central theme and the fine acting performances by Polish actors Andrzej Chyra, Mateusz Kosciukiewicz, Lukasz Simlat and Polish actress Maja Ostaszewska. A tangible, conscientious, eloquent and cinematographic narrative feature which gained the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 63rd Berlin Film Festival in 2013.

I saw this film as part of the official Competition section of the Berlinale 2013. The theme at hand is very relevant in the context of child abuse as came to light in recent years, but there is more to it than that in this film. While the "children" in this film are nearly old enough to count as consensual adults, there is always the relationship between teacher and pupil to block any sort of romantic involvement. And there is the issue of celibacy for Roman Catholic priests. And if that is not enough, any intimacy between men and boys (whatever their age) is frowned upon by not only the church but also not accepted by the average man/woman in the street. The scenario contains elements of all these issues, mixed together in a believable story line.As a bonus we see also the dilemmas that the church has to face when becoming aware that things are deviating from the official path. Our main character, priest Adam, has a proved track record of having a positive influence at all locations where he worked before. Nevertheless, there was always something going on, allegedly or not, that the church could not approve. And even when proving untrue rumors after all, it could have repercussions on their charitable work by the sheer suggestion alone. A transfer to a different place with the proverbial clean slate is then the next best thing the clerical hierarchy can do in their context, since dismissing him would be a loss for the social work that the church wants to continue at any price.All of the above issues are intermixed in this film. That is done in such a way that one has difficulties to choose for either side, even for or against the church who is often maneuvered in a difficult position. And there is always some form of collateral damage due to suddenly broken relationships, deserving our pity as well. The perfect casting and superb acting carry this film and make into a believable piece of work. Having lived devoid of religious beliefs for the greater part of my life, I cannot follow in the footsteps of most of the characters in this film. And we should not forget this this happens in Poland, but even being from The Netherlands where I live, we know that their actions and beliefs are not extreme or otherwise unbelievable.