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To see a simple English version of reviews about some of the movies, click on the ESL section of Midnight Oil.
Priest (1994)
“Priest” (1994) is a difficult movie tackling a difficult subject. It holds up for scrutiny the many conflicts of being a modern-day Roman Catholic priest. Upon arrival at his new parish, Father Pilkington (Linus Roache) quickly becomes embroiled in a series of no-win situations. His fellow priest (Tom Wilkinson) is 
having a clandestine affair with the maid; a young parishioner reveals while in the confessional that she is the victim of incest; and he himself is caught in compromising circumstances in an ongoing homosexual relationship. The ready answers of Father Greg’s conservative version of Roman Catholic faith appear to be no match for the very real problems of real life in his very ordinary English parish. A crisis of faith ensues for Father Greg. His fellow clergy and the parish in general are dragged along unwittingly and unwillingly.
Although most of the crises in the film revolve around the 
depiction of a mangled sexuality, on a more global level, the sex is just a window through which to see more deeply into the soul, into what it means to be human. In spite of the brouhaha that the film engendered when originally released, this film endures in its 
unflinching look at a certain situation in the Church today. That being said, the film is not totally devoid of either the hope or the redemption that the Church is supposed to be famous for. Like the rest of what is depicted in the film, it’s just not that simple.
Also shown on Saturday Night at the Movies was another film underscoring high drama resulting from the secrecy of the confessional, Alfred Hitchcock’s “I Confess”.
>>More to see: Looking for more out of life?
See the video trailer for "Priest" (1994). See also the climactic final scene of the movie here.
The Snake Pit (1948)
“The Snake Pit” has Olivia de Havilland play the part of Virginia Cunningham, a young woman who finds herself locked up in a mental asylum. The film is taken from a novel by Mary Jane Ward and is directed by Anotole Litvak. It combines the point of view of the disoriented and harassed patient, Virginia, with external elements that keep the film firmly grounded in reality. In spite of the efforts of her loving husband (Mark Stevens) and Dr. Mark Kik (Leo Genn) to reach her, 
the harrowing experiences of the mental patient continue for a full two hours. “The Snake Pit” is an unusually honest film about mental illness for 1948, even if it does enter the realms of the melodramatic and over the top psycho-analysis at times.>>Real Life: John struggled with the mental grief of a lifelong physical affliction. Why couldn't he just be normal?
>>More to see: Looking for more out of life?
Catch the TVO video trailer for "The Snake Pit" (1948
Video excerpt from "The Snake Pit" (1948)
Catherine Savard
in 1940's films, Anatole Litvak, Mary Jane Ward, Olivia de Havilland, drama, video trailer
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Shine (1996)
“Shine”(1996) tells the story of Australian pianist, David Helfgott, a man whose artistic talents and fragile mental state are negatively impacted by the post-war trauma of his troubled father. Helfgott makes an unlikely comeback after a dramatic mental breakdown and institutionalization. Geoffrey Rush (adult) and Noah Taylor (adolescent) both won critical acclaim for their portrayal of Helfgott’s character. While the issue of whether “Shine” tells the “entirely true” story of the child prodigy gone wrong may be debatable, what is clear is that this film certainly 
is a good story worth listening to in its empathetic treatment of the individual and the artist.
The film “Shine”(1996) was previously presented in the context of TVOntario’s “Brain Week – From Brilliant to Broken” . Be sure to catch the SNAM Interviews for “Shine” called “Art and Madness”, a most interesting examination of the relationship of mental illness and artistic genius as depicted in film.
>>More to see: Looking for more out of life?
See the video trailer for the movie "Shine" (1996)
Catherine Savard
in 1990's films, David Helfgott, Geoffrey Rush, Isaac Stern, John Gielgud, Lynn Redgrave, Noah Taylor, docu-drama, drama, video trailer
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West is West (1987)
"West is West" (1987) is a bit of an unusual mix. A young Indian man from Bombay shows up in San Francisco intent on gaining admission to the country and to the University of California. Things go terribly amiss and Vikram (Ashutosh Gowariker) ends up living the less than desirable version of the American dream as an illegal immigrant. Bollywood and its stylized vision of life in India is never far away from Vikram's imagination. The American girlfriend, played by Heidi Carpenter, somehow gets incoroporated into the mix (or should I say mix up) and goes from gothic to glamourous (Bollywood style). But it all works somehow.
It should work because Ashutosh Gowariker has been able to make a success of himself back in India going from actor to writer/director/producer with much critical acclaim. While "West is West" may not be the greatest movie ever, it certainly tells an important story about the immigrant experience that is perhaps not heard often enough in North America.
Catherine Savard
in 1980's films, Ashutosh Gowariker, Heidi Carpenter, comedy, international, romantic comedy, video trailer
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Dear Frankie (2004)
“Dear Frankie” (2004) IMDb is a real gem starring Jack McElhone as a young deaf boy and Emily Mortimer as his mom. Gerard Butler is the stranger who is brought into the picture in order to play the role of Frankie’s “dad” for a day. Things have a way of getting kind of complicated when the adults 
involved find they have to bend over backwards in order to maintain the charade for Frankie’s benefit. It’s a lovely tale told with much care and compassion for the plight of the single mom who tries to do her best with a very difficult dilemma.
TVO producer, Thom Ernst talks on his blog. about how this unusual and charming film came to be screened on SNAM.
See the TVO interview related to "Dear Frankie", in which the issue of telling lies in order to protect children is examined.
>>Real Life Story: Shannon deals with her fatherless childhood and, in her adult life, leaves an abusive relationship.
>>More to see: Looking for more out of life?
See the video trailer for "Dear Frankie" (2004).
Catherine Savard
in 2000's films, Emily Mortimer, Gerard Butler, drama, jack McElhone, video trailer
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