Drama
UK 1996 - 104 min.

Starring: John Michie - Paula Hamilton - Benedict Taylor - Martin Kemp (David Allenby)

Director: Tom Waller

Script: James Magrane - Piers Paul Read (novel)

Production: De Warrenne Pics

Music: Mark Jensen

Rating:

The film tells the story of Eddie Dawson (John Michie), who is raised and educated at a remote Catholic boarding school. There he makes the decision to devote his life to religion which results in him becoming a monk himself. But soon he gets into conflict with the strict rules of the convent life and when he finally is given his own parish in London things become even more difficult for him. Asked by his schoolday friend Winterman (Benedict Taylor) to write a column for his newspaper Eddie gets himself into trouble with his church superiors by uttering some highly controversial opinions. Disappointed and frustrated Eddie decides to leave the priesthood and tries to find his place in the 'normal' world. He finds a girlfriend and a job as reporter. Unfortunately his editor (Mart) is not interested in good journalism, he expects Eddie to write stories that sell. Also in his private life things go tragicly wrong. His lover leaves him and Eddie marries an old friend he doesn't really love. The relationship ends in tragedy when his wife dies of a drug overdose. It dawns on Eddie that he has still not found his place in life and he returns to the monastry to find peace within himself (without knowing that his ex-lover is pregnant with his son).

This is definitely not light entertainment, but for those who like films about real people with real problems that experience the real drama of life it's a must! Perhaps you have to have a Catholic background yourself to fully comprehent Eddie's dilemmas, but even if you have no idea about Catholicism the movie makes you understand a lot of the tragedy that lies within the people and the system. Martin's part is not all that big, he also just appears after one hour, but his performance as sleazy David Allenby is particularly brilliant. You instantly dislike his character which is the biggest compliment you can give an actor that plays such a slimebag! The film had its premiere at the Leeds Film Festival in October 1997 and saw its general release in the UK in summer 1998.

as DVD ... UK, USA

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This movie is also available for online purchase ...

		click here for DVD (Region 2)
		click here for DVD (Region 1)