Reviews & News: 'Ordinary Sinner'
LandonEx
In A Nutshell:
(No Online Film Critics Society reviews yet)
-- Online Film Critics Society (O.F.C.S.)
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VILLAGE VOICE
02-13-2003
"Ordinary Sinner"
Directed by John Henry Davis
Hiding its poverty of imagination under a layer of simpleminded social
criticism, Davis's directorial debut lurches unconvincingly from
self-congratulatory polemic to bereavement melodrama to Hardy Boys mystery.
Ex-seminary student Peter (Brendan P. Hines), burdened with a secret that has
forced him to question his faith, finds solace in sexually aggressive college
classmate Rachel (Elizabeth Banks), possibly closeted twerp sidekick Alex (Kris
Park), and Father Ed (A. Martinez), a gay priest confronting local
Bible-thumpers.
But "Ordinary Sinner" is no mere issue movie; it only preaches to the choir
until an elaborately planned murder wanders into the story.
Davis washes out the color for flashbacks and signifies Important Moments with
slo-mo -- the film is as technically amateurish as it is narratively ludicrous.
-- Ben Kenigsberg / Village Voice
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N.Y. DAILY NEWS
02-14-2003
"Ordinary Sinner"
Running time: 91 mins. Not rated: brief nudity, adult themes.
Rating: * * Stars
Resolutely earnest in theme and content, this solemn indie drama means so well
it's hard to condemn it. At the same time, there's no reason to recommend it.
Overwhelmed by the secular world, shy priest-intraining Peter (Brendan Hines)
hopes to spend a quiet summer at home in Vermont.
But after his mentor, Father Eduardo (A Martinez), comes out of the closet
during a Sunday service, the town's calm is shattered.
Local religious zealots have already been leaving their homophobic mark
everywhere, and -- judging by the ominous music that pounds in our ears
repeatedly -- they won't stop until Father Eduardo is punished for his
allegedly evil ways.
Novice filmmaker John Henry Davis deserves credit for tackling big issues, but
he forgot one of the most important credos of his craft. No matter how vital
your message, a good story beats a sermon any day.
-- Elizabeth Weitzman
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(With thanks to Billie a.k.a. Pusssykatt)