It's a miracle: a courageous movie.
"Stigmata"
Overall Rating: ***½
Horror films aren't usually my scene. As I mentioned in last week's review, however, the recent horror films aren't usual. Calling "Stigmata" a horror film doesn't seem completely accurate. On the other hand, there isn't another term that seems right, either. Regardless, "Stigmata" looked interesting based on the previews, and it turned out it was interesting.
Father Andrew Kiernan (Gabriel Byrne) is a priest and a scientist. His job is to investigate suspected miracles for the Vatican. Sent to Brazil to investigate what turns out to be rust stains, he takes a side trip to the village of Belo Quinto--and finds what seems to be a true miracle. Unfortunately, before he can investigate further, he is reassigned by the church authorities. His new assignment is Frankie Paige (Patricia Arquette). She is exhibiting stigmata--wounds like those Christ received on the cross. Her baffling case seems to be another genuine miracle--only how will the church take the news?
The biggest problem with "Stigmata" is that it tends to be confusing in places. For instance, while they carefully explain what qualifies as a stigmata wound, Frankie is also crying tears of blood--which, according to the movie, isn't such a wound. Another confusing point is why a character goes to the top of a building and sits on the edge of the roof. There's another instance where Frankie addresses a priest by the wrong name--while her use of the name is significant, there is no explanation of how she knew it. Granted most of the confusing points tend to relate to supernatural phenomena--but even a priest saying "that's inexplicable" would be more satisfying than simply leaving the audience to wonder. The end is also a little unsatisfying--a major conflict is left hanging (text in the final credits only implies it will remain unresolved for decades).
I also have some qualms about the pervasive subtitles. Most of the film is in English--including some scenes that take place in Vatican City. This prompts the question of why they use Italian on the street outside, but shift to English when they get in the Vatican. Many sequences, however, involve lines spoken in Portuguese, Italian, and Aramaic. There are some subtitles that are difficult to see--both because they flash by quickly and because of the background. The total effect is somewhat jarring.
On the plus side, "Stigmata" holds your interest. While the story has some loose ends, you can still follow the plot. The story remains suspenseful--nothing comes out of the blue, but it isn't predictable, either. Its unexpected turns, coupled with good special effects, make the movie scary when the filmmakers intended. Better still, "Stigmata" is an original idea, and a thought provoking one at that. I can't say what the film's main "what if" question is without spoiling the plot, but it doesn't blindside you, since the possibility is suggested earlier in the film.
The cast also delivers good performances. Gabriel Byrne is fine as Kiernan, who has investigated so many faked miracles that it's starting to hurt his faith. Better still is Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Houseman--he makes a very menacing villain. Patricia Arquette is best. Her character goes through a crisis of faith; Arquette, following a star performance in "Goodbye Lover" delivers a performance that is just as good here. The great contrast with the earlier role highlights the scope of her abilities all the more.
Parents should almost certainly screen "Stigmata" before taking children to see it. There is a great deal of strong language, some sexually suggestive scenes, and some nudity. The depictions of the stigmata wounds are very graphic, and there is some violence. Parents should also be aware that the film depicts supernatural events (both miraculous and demonic) and questions organized religion.
The debate over whether science and religion are mutually exclusive is hardly settled--as the recent controversial decision in Kansas to drop evolution from the state's biology curriculum proves. With "Stigmata," Hollywood deserves some credit for making any statement on a difficult issue, more for an intelligent statement, and more still for putting it in an entertaining context.
Title:"Stigmata"
Release date: September 10, 1999
Overall Rating: ***½
Horror films aren't usually my scene. As I mentioned in last week's review, however, the recent horror films aren't usual. Calling "Stigmata" a horror film doesn't seem completely accurate. On the other hand, there isn't another term that seems right, either. Regardless, "Stigmata" looked interesting based on the previews, and it turned out it was interesting.
Father Andrew Kiernan (Gabriel Byrne) is a priest and a scientist. His job is to investigate suspected miracles for the Vatican. Sent to Brazil to investigate what turns out to be rust stains, he takes a side trip to the village of Belo Quinto--and finds what seems to be a true miracle. Unfortunately, before he can investigate further, he is reassigned by the church authorities. His new assignment is Frankie Paige (Patricia Arquette). She is exhibiting stigmata--wounds like those Christ received on the cross. Her baffling case seems to be another genuine miracle--only how will the church take the news?
The biggest problem with "Stigmata" is that it tends to be confusing in places. For instance, while they carefully explain what qualifies as a stigmata wound, Frankie is also crying tears of blood--which, according to the movie, isn't such a wound. Another confusing point is why a character goes to the top of a building and sits on the edge of the roof. There's another instance where Frankie addresses a priest by the wrong name--while her use of the name is significant, there is no explanation of how she knew it. Granted most of the confusing points tend to relate to supernatural phenomena--but even a priest saying "that's inexplicable" would be more satisfying than simply leaving the audience to wonder. The end is also a little unsatisfying--a major conflict is left hanging (text in the final credits only implies it will remain unresolved for decades).
I also have some qualms about the pervasive subtitles. Most of the film is in English--including some scenes that take place in Vatican City. This prompts the question of why they use Italian on the street outside, but shift to English when they get in the Vatican. Many sequences, however, involve lines spoken in Portuguese, Italian, and Aramaic. There are some subtitles that are difficult to see--both because they flash by quickly and because of the background. The total effect is somewhat jarring.
On the plus side, "Stigmata" holds your interest. While the story has some loose ends, you can still follow the plot. The story remains suspenseful--nothing comes out of the blue, but it isn't predictable, either. Its unexpected turns, coupled with good special effects, make the movie scary when the filmmakers intended. Better still, "Stigmata" is an original idea, and a thought provoking one at that. I can't say what the film's main "what if" question is without spoiling the plot, but it doesn't blindside you, since the possibility is suggested earlier in the film.
The cast also delivers good performances. Gabriel Byrne is fine as Kiernan, who has investigated so many faked miracles that it's starting to hurt his faith. Better still is Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Houseman--he makes a very menacing villain. Patricia Arquette is best. Her character goes through a crisis of faith; Arquette, following a star performance in "Goodbye Lover" delivers a performance that is just as good here. The great contrast with the earlier role highlights the scope of her abilities all the more.
Parents should almost certainly screen "Stigmata" before taking children to see it. There is a great deal of strong language, some sexually suggestive scenes, and some nudity. The depictions of the stigmata wounds are very graphic, and there is some violence. Parents should also be aware that the film depicts supernatural events (both miraculous and demonic) and questions organized religion.
The debate over whether science and religion are mutually exclusive is hardly settled--as the recent controversial decision in Kansas to drop evolution from the state's biology curriculum proves. With "Stigmata," Hollywood deserves some credit for making any statement on a difficult issue, more for an intelligent statement, and more still for putting it in an entertaining context.
Title:"Stigmata"
Release date: September 10, 1999
MPAA rating: R
Overall rating: ***½
Overall rating: ***½
Aprox. run time: 102 min.
Director: Rupert Wainwright
Writer: Tom Lazarus, Rick Ramage
Stars: Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne, Jonathan Pryce
Original URL: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Mansion/7045/Stigmata.htm
Added to blog site: 8/4/09
Director: Rupert Wainwright
Writer: Tom Lazarus, Rick Ramage
Stars: Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne, Jonathan Pryce
Original URL: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Mansion/7045/Stigmata.htm
Added to blog site: 8/4/09
Labels: Movie review, ReviewsbyJohn
posted by John at 9/13/1999 03:54:00 AM
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