Brian Dennehy Movie:

Our Fathers Reviews:
The Catholic Church's Scandalous Coverup
2006-07-11 - Most Catholics (I am now a former Catholic) of my era were naive. I was unaware of the child abuse crisis even while being a part time Catholic journalist during the middle 1970s. Alas, there was indeed a time when I spent numerous hours over alcoholic refreshments discussing the somewhat secretive business of the Church. I thought I was in the loop. The fact that a number of the clergy might molest children did not especially bother me. I knew about the arrest and conviction of the famous conservative priest Richard Ginder, editor of the widely read "Our Sunday Visitor." Sin is alive and well on planet Earth, and even priests are sinners. In my wildest imagination, however, I never considered it possible that a priest would essentially be allowed by the hierarchy to molest even more children. There is little doubt but that I would have accused someone of anti-Catholic bigotry if they even suggested something so vile. I might have even tried to punch them in the face.

I agree with those who point out that the makers of Our Fathers included too many characters in the script. Ellen Burstyn is in only one scene. We barely get to know something about her character---and she completely disappears. Nonetheless, this film is still well worth seeing. It is based on actual scandals of the Boston archdiocese. Archbishops like Cardinal Bernard Law (Christopher Plummer) cared little about the children. Protecting their fellow priests was perceived to be their primary responsibility. Our Fathers will enrage you. Lawyer Mitchell Garabedian (Ted Danson) is right on target: the Catholic Church would never address clerical child abuse unless it was severely hurt in the pocket book. He rightfully desired to collect as much money as possible for his clients. Should Our Fathers destroy your faith in God? No, but you will realize that a mature faith requires standing on your own two feet and not groveling before any Church's clerical establishment. God gave you a brain. Use it.

David Thomson
Flares into Darkness

Dramatized version of Catholic Church scandal
2006-07-01 - ****
This movie is well-done and very moving. It is not light entertainment viewing for a fun Saturday night, but, that said, it is something that anyone interested in this subject should see.

The subject of Our Fathers is the Catholic Church scandals in how priest pedophiles we treated---how their crimes were covered up, how their victims were attempted to be silenced, how they were moved to different parishes to find more victims, and how little was understood at that time about the nature of pedophilia. It vividly shows the damage that was done to the American Catholic Church and to the many victims of pedophilic priests. The movie is balanced in that it doesn't demonize the Catholic Church, but shows Cardinal Bernard Law to be responsible for the cover-up...it also shows that the Catholic Church has since honored the Cardinal in several ways, which is truly amazing.

The film explores the issues of victimization, forgiveness, and trust. It also explores the issues of celibacy and homosexuality within the priesthood. It does not attempt to blame either celibacy or homosexuality for pedophilia, which in my opinion is an important distinction to make. It does all of this through the telling of the story not in a documentary format, but in a dramatic format, making it very impacting and effective.

The actors are wonderful, from Ted Danson to Ellen Burstyn (in a small role), to the excellent Christopher Plummer as Cardinal Law. This movie was made for Showtime; made me wish I had Showtime to be able to see quality productions like this.

Because of the mature themes, this would not be a good movie for children. Also, for viewers who enjoy action movies, this would probably not be something you'd enjoy. It will appeal to viewers who like to think, and who want to know more about this issue, to get inside the heads of the main characters involved and vividly imagine what they were feeling and thinking at the time, what they had to go through, and how they now go on---if this type of thing appeals to you, you'll love Our Fathers, as I did.
****