L'homme de Dieu

The film's language should have been Greek. It's time for Greece to promote their language even in films that are made for international audience.

First things first, because Mickey Rourke is still the first name that pops up here and apparently the trailer also seems to give the impression he is in this ... a lot. He isn't - he may have a pivotal role of sorts (as other side characters have), but his screen presense may be around 2 minutes.

Still if you are a fan of his, you will be happy to see him and he looks good I reckon you could say. But this movie as I already said is not about him. It is about (Agios) Nectarios (or Nektarios depending on how you want to write it in English) and his journey through life. Though not from his beginnings but later in life when he already was established. But being established also brings a lot of envy and other things out in people who may see you as a threat to their shenanigans (evil plans).

There is a reason I used the summary line. And I think you will find that our main character seems to be always on the right side of any moral argument or issue. While that can also be annoying, it is something that makes him dependable and loved by many, but also looked down upon by many others who either don't like or envy him or are afraid of the power he may conjur through the people who love him.

That is in a nutshell every other obstacle he has to overcome. Since he so pure and without any evil intention, it is others that rain pain and problems down on him.

Now onto something that may seem weird especially for those who speak Greek. While there is a good portion and dialog in Greek, the majority of the movie is in English. With accents (mostly Greek, but also Russian, depending which actor is portraying a character), but can be quite irritating. Especially when our main character complains in English that others do not conceive him to be Greek enough ... it almost feels absurd in a sense.

Obviously the movie is way more international that way, so I understand the logic behind it. Although to be truthful, I doubt that atheists/other religion beliefs will find any interest in this, I could be wrong of course. What it does though, is taking some of the emotion away from the acting. It feels quite disconnected at times. The emotion and the dialog that is ... the movie is quite long with almost two hours which also may not be something that non-orthodox people might have issues with.

So a lot of suspension of (dis)belief has to be done during the movie ... and you have to roll with the flow. If you can do that, it is quite the drama/journey you are about to embark.

I am a religious man and i really wanted to like the movie! But for my disappointment the edit and the presentation was all over the place! No actual background for any character! Even for Saint Nektarios i couldn't believe how shallow his presentation was. I was trying to feel his injustice, his slander but there is a disconnection to the actual character and the audience. I have read St. Nektarios story and i was remembering things to fill the gaps! Jumping from scene to scene in a hurry to tell us the story of St. Nektarios without actually telling the story! The actors were good don't get me wrong! The problem is definitely with the directing and the editing! Sorry if i sound harsh but the epicenter should be the character of Saint Nektarios, his background and not to just tell his story!

I expected with intense emotion, more than curiosity, to see this film. I saw it as Greek Orthodox front to inspired adaptation of one of the most impressive saints of Orthodoxy of XX century.

So, I am more than subjective.

The great virtue of Yelena Popovich is to propose not exactly a biography. But a precise , profound beautiful, useful at whole image of the essence of sainthood.

The episodes of a life in which the hypocrisies, fears, cowardness, lies and doubts, envies and stupidity of people are front to spiritual courage and totaly loyality to God will, strong faith and clean honesty of a ierarch remaining a humble and courageous in special way monk.

A film for faith, about faith, in which Aris. Servetalis propose a great fruit of his effort and art.

The last scenes of dialogue between Servetalis and Mickey Rooney are just precious .

It is an Orthodox film; out of artistic virtues or cinematography, the message is the essential one. So, difficult to see out of faith area. Because, scene by scene, it is a confession.

So, easy to call it a masterpiece. Indeed, it is one and, from music to image, from tension to the expressions of patience of saint ierarch Nektarios, all is proof for that.

But a masterpiece in very specific terms.

Short, see it !

The Greek Orthodox's Padre Pio. If you want to find out what it means to die to yourself and learn how that brings you true and lasting joy, watch this film.