Gelobt sei Gott

Even though the movie doesn't keep up the pace all the time, is great, very emotional without being stupid. And please do not send you children to church or to boy scout camps.

This film deals with a French topical subject with subtlety and sensitivity: in a general way, the trial of the Catholic Church against pedophilia and more particularly, that of Father Preynat and Cardinal Barbarin. It highlights an anger (and/or a deep malaise, according to the characters) at first latent then more and more perceptible. The analogy with the American movie Spotlight (2015) is obvious, the main subject being the same; but the way of revealing the truth differs.

As a synthesis: very good actors directed by a François Ozon as sober as efficient.

This is a powerful and very disturbing movie based on true facts; the movie is extremely well directed and the key characters' performance is stunning. The film throws a punch in the stomach without wallowing in the details of the sexual scandals, but rather focusing on the devastating consequences of sexual abuse had on children and on their subsequent lives. And, as if that weren't enough, another wave of emotional impact comes when the victims, after long internal struggle, decide to come out and denounce the facts to the public; this has bring massive tensions to themselves and their families. Director and actors deliver an outside performance in rendering such deeply emotional situations in a very dramatic and realistic fashion. You wonder walk out of the cinema without being profoundly touched by this story.

On the surface, this is an impressive movie. It is meticulously scripted and covers much ground with regard to the case of French Catholic priest accused of child sexual abuse. Writer-director Francois Ozon also manages to assemble a competent cast of actors for the various roles like Josiane Balasko as Irene, mother of one of the victims. My problem with this film is its very clinical approach, which may have its strengths; however, i did not find myself moved, touched or feeling sympathy for the characters when i should have been experiencing those emotions while watching the movie. By the end, instead of feeling emotionally walloped, i was left cold. And while the film is stylishly done, nothing stands out other than the shocking expose of the Catholic church which however is nothing new for anyone who has followed the news. For its various merits, this film deserves praise while from this disappointed viewer, the film receives grace.

I saw "By the Grace of God" at the Philadelphia Film Festival and although I'd never consider it an enjoyable film, it's a necessary film...one you really should see. While there have been other films about pedophile priests, and why not since the problem seems so universal, this one is not a documentary but instead makes a few tweaks for cinematic sake...though the facts are essentially true.

In addition to being an important film, director Ozon also crafted it well and managed to get excellent and realistic performances from the cast. In other words, the victims seemed real...not like actors. Overall, an amazingly well made film...one of the better ones I've seen in recent years.