The Confessional

"The Confessional" is a suspense thriller in the vein of Hitchcock. Character driven, the film relies on performance and plot rather than sex and gratuitous violence, a refreshing change. Peter Quartaroli delivers an amazingly nuanced and riveting performance as Leonard, a disturbed priest. He sends chills down your spine with the slightest turn of his head or smoldering smile. Much to his credit director James Anthony Cotton is able to capture these nuances and etch them in your mind where they dwell long after the movie is over. Mr. Cotton has stated that this is the first film in a trilogy. Here's to hoping that this film finds distribution and Mr. Cotton is able to get a budget worthy of his directorial abilities for the next two.

In order to fully love this movie, I recommend boiling a vat of your favorite soup, turning off the lights, and confess your sins the day before watching this movie. Oh, and having some clay is great as well. Unlike the typical blood and guts thrillers, this movie forces the audience to pay attention to details (believe me there are lots of small details). It's definitely a unique movie with the correct amount of suspense.

My favorite part is where creepy priest (played by Peter Quartaroli)fully shows how amazingly demented the main character is. The minute twitching and facial expression made me feel like he was truly insane. So, just don't forget to finish ALL your soup. There are consequences if for those who don't. *Insert Dramatic Music* If for no other reason, you should watch this movie because Peter Quartaroli plays a rather brilliant role.

I think my least favorite part was the lack of some common sense by certain characters (you will know when you see it). It is the typical, why didn't you do this or call that person. However, this lack of common sense is rather apparent in most thrillers and should be taken as entertainment value because it teaches the audience what not to do in said situation. Well, at least I hope so. If not, I will have at least finished all my soup.

I had the opportunity to see "The Confessional" at it's first screening; a real standout in the field of independently produced features, one that deserves to be seen. Cotton's vision of a troubled small-town priest is at first dark and brooding then explosive and bloody.

Overall, the acting was top-notch. Peter Quartaroli's performance as Leonard gave me a character that I've not seen before, and won't soon forget. While the Hitchcock style pacing can feel slow, it lured me deeper into Leonard's mind, and set up the surprises that come quickly later as the climax builds.

A great film! The director creates a work that is full of suspense. I had an opportunity and sincere pleasure to view the film at the recent screening or premier. The director builds a strong dark thriller. The lead actor who plays Leonard provides a very exciting and sinister performance. He uses everything in his acting disposal in order to convey subtle variations on the dark, troubled character of Leonard.The film brings something new to the table. From it's dark plot filled with suspense to the smallest details of the film's sculptures- it solidifies its status as a modern film classic. Director James Anthony Cotton knows how fear of the unknown is the most potent fear of all, and he uses this as the driving central force. A really fun thriller of a film!

This film had everything I could hope for - creepiness, comedy, and crime! (Any film that has someone taking a shovel to the face is OK in my book...I hope this film gets picked up and goes into wide release soon - it takes a theme used in dramas in the past (childhood innocence subjected to the twisted motivations of a sick and demented authority figure - this time in the guise of a Catholic priest - and lets us, the viewers, see the fallout some 30 years later when we see the child as a man, trapped by motivations that are beyond his control (or are they??). Remember people, you are what you eat - "Soup is strength!" - and if you don't know what I'm talking about, that means you haven't seen the film yet - a situation that you must rectify upon the release of this film!