This is a strong and in-depth matter: a man coming to confession tells the priest he will kill him the following Sunday. The film depicts the following week of the life of the priest, Father James Lavelle, played by Brendan Gleeson. We see him speaking with several members of his congregation. He also receives a visit from his daughter, interpreted by Kelly Reilly, who has got into some difficulties. The congregation is composed of several interesting characters: the pessimistic Doctor (Aiden Gillen), the old American writer in retreat, the unfaithful yet proud wife, the virgin on a motorcycle and a joking butcher (Chris O'Dowd).

It's quite striking to see comedians such as Aiden Gillen and Chris O' Dowd playing rather dramatic roles, and Brendan Gleeson is great as the good priest living a Calvary, as it were… Kelly Reilly (Wendy in the Klapisch trilogy) is quite convincing as the daughter, and so is her Irish accent!

One can see the daily life of the priest with fantastic dialogues about faith, love, death and in a hilarious scene, careers advice. For once one perhaps cannot blame the Russians for wanting to stop importing foreign films, if by that they mean films from Hollywood; I would think it would take 50 contemporary Hollywood films and a hell of a lot more of a budget to produce such a brilliant film.

Wow... heavy stuff. Have I ever seen a movie with more mixed metaphors? When it's funny, it's dark and biting, but mainly it's a bitter critique of our current society, using the catholic church as the catalyst. There is at least forgiveness at the end. Punishing at times and perhaps with a few too many stereotyped characters but a very good movie, to be sure.

Warning: IMHO, it could push some fragile viewers over the edge.