Say Your Prayers

Definitely no spoilers here, I don't want to ruin the unfolding plot. I'm giving it 10/10 but if you don't genuinely like the 'genre' (quirky but edgy black comedy with some violence and some obscene humour) then don't complain.

Every character in this film is excellent. This comedy is quite dark, shocking at times, and there are really thought-provoking scenes and conversations intermixed with the humour.

Watch it...

I enjoyed it as the story is quirky with an excellent cast and there is plenty of dry humour as well. The brothers are excellent and with Anna Maxwell Martin, Roger Allam and Derek Jacobi adding weight it's a fine lineup.

What I found intensely annoying was the frequent and incongruous insertion of a male voice choir in a lot of scenes. Totally unnecessary and really detracted from the whole production imo.

Certainly worth watching.

Greetings again from the darkness. The brothers have chosen to accept the mission they've been given, which is to assassinate outspoken atheist writer, Professor John Huxley. The deed is to be done during the Ilkley Literature Festival where Huxley is a featured speaker. Brothers Victor and Tim are Christian radicals, and not particularly clever. In fact, the terrific opening sequence shows us an execution on a hill - one that displays the tragic effects of mistaken identity.

Writer-director Harry Michell (he played Nick in YESTERDAY, 2019) and co-writer Jamie Fraser (his first feature film) deliver a strong first act that really gets our hopes up. Tom Brooke (PIRATE RADIO, 2009) plays Victor, the high-strung older brother to Tim, who is played by ski cap-wearing Harry Melling (the "Harry Potter" franchise). Victor is prone to violent outbursts, while Tim is the more sensitive type - and a bit slow at times. That contrast between the brothers is a fun element, as is the close bond they share.

Director Michell utilizes a recurring men's choir (breaking the fourth wall) as a way to both drive the story and add a bit of humor. In the first half-hour, the two most obvious comparisons we make are THE BOONDOCK SAINTS (1999) and IN BRUGES (2008). Unfortunately, that's a standard that the film simply can't sustain. It seems to be filled with any number of promising ideas that mostly just fizzle or fade out. A perfect example is the dynamic between the two investigative cops played by Anna Maxwell Martin and Flora Spencer-Longhurst. The banter between these two characters is just never quite as colorful or pointed as we wish.

The supporting cast includes Vinette Robinson as Imelda, one of the festivals organizers who has a close relationship with Professor Huxley. Imelda's time with Tim works well at times. Roger Allum effectively portrays the arrogant atheist author, and Derek Jacobi plays Father Enoch, the priest who raised the two orphans, Tim and Victor, and now has them doing the church's dirty work. The real standout here is the film's editing by Xanna Ward Dixon and Dylan Holmes Williams. The pacing and quick cuts keep us engaged and minimize the shortcomings of the story ... which certainly could have worked with more risk-taking and pushing of the envelope. Not going far enough is film's downfall - and it's quite disappointing given the promising start.

In theaters and On Demand April 2, 2021.

Rural Yorkshire, literary festival, two bumbling Christan hitmen, obnoxious snob who happens to be an atheist, innocent victim, foul-mouthed detective, a whole of lot of ingredients that shouldn't mix in together, but somehow do. Quirky, eccentric short flick peppered with a Capella singing, thick accents, dozens of creative turns (some working out, some fail miserably). It is hard not to get taken in by this unexpected dark comedy that doesn't spare anybody. Churchy, hateful fanatics and pompous money grabbing drawing room atheists belong to the same sewer of use and abuse. Dark comedy it is, and it ends on a dark note. Depressing, but fitting.

As a convinced atheist I have to say I did enjoy this movie, which made it easier for me as the story is about religious freaks, and making fun of them is something I truly enjoy. It's so easy to make fun of religious people (it doesn't matter which religion, you will find complete brainwashed people in all of them) and the makers of Say Your Prayers totally got that. The story is certainly satirical and that's what made it good. The acting was good from almost the entire cast. I have to agree with another reviewer that wasn't thrilled by the performance of Anna Maxwell that played the character of DCI Brough. I also thought she was very annoying to watch. It brought the quality of this movie down. But other than that, Say Your Prayers is certainly worth a watch, especially if you don't have a high opinion of all those religious freaks that populate our planet.