Corpus Christi

There's a scene at the top of this film that really does make you wince - especially if you're a boy!! Thereafter, it's an engaging drama about "Daniel" (Bartosz Bielenia). He's at a juvenile detention centre where he helps out the priest with their masses and is keen on taking up the priesthood as a profession. Thing is, he's not detained for sticking chewing gum to a park bench so that avenue isn't likely to open up for him anytime soon. Parole beckons and he decides to assume the identity of a locum in a small community where his youthful vigour, enthusiasm and unorthodox methodology initially elicits a positive response from his new congregation. Gradually, though, he realises that this is a small town with a big demon - and reconciling both sides of their dispute is going to test all of his guile and wits whilst he has to remember he's no longer the guy he was. The arrival of an erstwhile "colleague" risks putting a fly in his now quite successful ointment though and he has to make some tough decisions of his own - voluntarily or otherwise. Bielenia is on good form here. He successfully marries the characteristics of the directionless thug with that of a man with a purpose, if not exactly a mission, well with an enthusiastic performance that could never be described as conformist. The narrative throws in a few questions about religiosity, forgiveness and a solid supporting cast contracts effectively the old and new lives of this man who might just have found his vocation - if only he can be left to escape his past. I didn't love the conclusion, but all in all this is a well told story of spirituality and decency that doesn't necessarily require a dog collar to inspire.