Movies reflect the values of the people who make them. Most of those people are Liberal or even Leftist. So you get thousands of movies per year with a Liberal or Leftist perspective. One of those perspectives is that religion sucks.Whenever I see Danny Glover listed in the cast of anything other than Lethal Weapon, I expect some kind of touchy-feely message.Yet I would not consider this film anti-Catholic. Our main character is very earnest in wanting to serve both God and his congregation. He just struggles with his faith, like many people. The three-man staff of the parish is meant to represent different potential versions of priests. One is old and conservative, one is old and a bit cynical and silly, but still committed, and one is young and confused. To their credit the film makers did not make the old conservative one out to be a bad guy. No one molests children or does immoral things. But what disturbed me was that the spoiled, cynical slacker-woman character is portrayed as the righteous one who teaches life lessons to the out-of-touch clergy. Yet her life is a mess. That part is typical Indie glorification of melancholia. While the dialog hinted at profundity, it never quite gets there. The Glover character does challenge the silly woman, but he is made out to look rude, while she's the hipster. Someone should have told the main young character to loosen up, instead of just implying it. Meanwhile someone should have told the woman that trendy self-pity and dishonesty are not becoming. The Midwest college town setting and slow pace are refreshing compared to the typical L.A., New York, Chicago, Miami redundancy. But pregnant pauses and focused shots of a contemplative face do not create depth. The dialog still has to do its job.

Saw this movie at the Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, IN. Both me (Dad) and my 13 year old daughter really enjoyed it as entertainment, but the conversations it inspired were even better.In one sense, the plot may have been a little formulaic, but the struggle between loyalty to what we 'should' do and following our hearts is a pretty universal theme, so it never felt 'trite.' What we particularly liked about this was that the church wasn't treated disrespectfully or as a joke, and the homilies included were as good as you're likely to hear most Sunday mornings, even if surrounded by tension reducing humor. Additionally, there was no "fall" or gratuitous romance scenes - this is about characters and character, and it works.My favorite performance was by John C McGinley, who was not only funny but also (com)passionate, and in my experience knowing many clergy well, he was authentic. His first love is crystal clear, even thought he appreciates much of the world 'outside' the church. Danny Glover's character is fiercely loyal to his calling, and of course Zachary Spicer struggles between "the" passion and being present to people as a priest and finding God in loving another person passionately.We also loved that Bloomington, Indiana, was also almost a character in the film. McGinley's love of IU basketball, the small(ish) town walks around the courthouse square, the local neighborhoods and coffeehouse, together gave a sense of reality and earthiness that wouldn't have played as well in a 'big city' setting. Here's to Indy filmmaking that celebrates 'place'!The ending, though controversial, was perfect for me. I don't believe he leaves the church, even if he does remove his collar. Like the parents of the screenwriter, Daniel may no longer serve as clergy, but he has chosen love, and has not abandoned God, but has found that God who was distant is now close (John 4:12). Isn't it possible that God has honored Daniel's faithfulness by showing him faith through loving another person? At the end, God is love, so maybe we never have to choose between God and love? Daniels answer (and mine) is simply, "Yes."

A 4-actor film and religious plot has necessarily to communicate much and good to be acceptable. In this case we have a lot of confusion. It is very difficult to find God from the safety and protection of a religious community. God can be found in the difficulty, need and suffering, rarely taking part of a congregation whose way of life is living comfortably. Here we have 4 characters and 4 situations the first one, the superior that believe himself infallible and with right to humiliate. Second; the priest who apparently is normal and flexible but who punishes and make kneeling to one boy who is wrong in singing. Third:The smart protagonist who tries but does not find God and Fourth, the girl who gets tired of not finding something worthwhile in this life, sleeps in a coffin and its motto is "See Jane Die". (Possibly, she is the only one who has God closer). The film is sometimes lacking in rhythm and is only valid for those who endure movies with religious theme. Nothing new.

This is a fantastic independent film. Jane and Daniel, finding comfort in the boundaries created by the Catholic confessional, carry you on their search for life's meaning. Father Victor and Ollie are ahead of this curve but each character struggles with accepting their humanity. Father Ollie challenges Daniel and Jane to wrestle with their frailty and flaws. Sparks fly and judgment is abandoned, until Father Victor exemplifies the voice of reason.Less movie typical, the action in the movie is caring for the sick, watching basketball,and going for a run. Endlessly refreshing you are challenged to realize the action is YOU. With wit and perfection you will find yourself asking what action will I take to live a compassionate life..