Barnes & Noble

This engrossing addition to the recent spate of impressive Mexican films mixes classic human drama with contemporary social commentary. Based on a 19th-century Portuguese novel, El Crimen de Padre Amaro explores the conflicts between love and faith, spirituality and carnality, commitment and opportunism. Amaro (Y Tu Mamá También's Gael García Bernal), the newly minted young priest and protégé of the venal local bishop, is sent to assist the veteran parish priest in the village of Los Reyes, where he becomes something of an unwitting heartthrob. As he grows more involved in the lives of the local priests and parishioners, his naiveté slowly dissolves, and his faith is ultimately tested by his passion for a local teenager, the beautiful Amelia (Ana Claudia Talancón). Not surprisingly, given the environment, Amelia becomes a more than willing partner, with profound and tragic consequences. Director Carlos Carrera has a lot to say about the routine compromises -- and occasional outright corruption -- of the Catholic Church, which remains an entrenched and important part of Mexican culture. The glimpses of contemporary Mexico reveal a vibrant and multilayered culture, encompassing drug lords, an all-too-human clergy, a striving peasantry, and an engaged intelligentsia. Although he occasionally allows the sudsy melodrama to overwhelm the more thought-provoking elements of his film, Carrera nonetheless keeps the viewer engaged on both an emotional and intellectual level, thanks in part to some terrific performances, not only from his two smoldering leads, but also from a strong supporting cast of established Latin stars. Not surprisingly, El Crimen de Padre Amaro became a sensation, and the most popular film ever, in Mexico. The DVD's special features include a charming running commentary by the director and Bernal. David Sobel

All Movie Guide

A priest discovers the path of virtue can be steep, and temptation can demand a heavy price, in this controversial drama from Mexico. Father Amaro (Gael Garcia Bernal) is a young Catholic priest whose mentor, the Bishop (Ernesto Gomez Cruz), expects great things from him. However, like all priests, Amaro must first be assigned where he is needed most, which leads him to the small rural community of Los Reyes, where Amaro is to assist Father Benito (Sancho Gracia). To his shock, Amaro discovers Benito is hardly following Holy Law -- he's having an affair with Sanjuanera (Angelica Aragon), a woman who runs a local restaurant, and he's been helping a drug dealer launder his profits in exchange for large donations to the church, which Benito feels is justified as the funds are being used to build a hospital and orphanage for the poor. Amaro is disgusted with Benito's actions, but he soon discovers his own weaknesses when he falls in love with Amelia (Ana Claudia Talancon), Sanjuanera's teenage daughter. As Amelia finds herself falling for Amaro, she breaks off her relationship with Ruben (Andres Montiel), a reporter. Ruben responds by publishing a story which reveals the details of Benito's dealings with the drug dealers; Benito in turn tries to lay the blame at the feet of noble Father Natalio (Damian Alcazar), whose work with local peasants has been wrongly interpreted as supporting armed revolutionary factions. As Amaro tries desperately to distance himself from the growing scandal, he receives shocking news from Amelia when he learns she's pregnant with his child. The Crime of Father Amaro's portrayal of corruption within the Catholic Church led to an outcry from Catholic organizations, both in Mexico and the United States, where they attempted to organize a boycott of the film. However, the tactic failed in Mexico, where the controversy helped to boost ticket sales, making it the highest-grossing Mexican film ever in its native country. Mark Deming

Chicago Sun-Times

The film is directed in a straightforward way by Carlos Carrera, who makes it direct and heartfelt, like a soap opera. Roger Ebert

New York Post

Commendably, Carrera steers clear of preachiness in his exploration of a timely and relevant issue, and Bernal's transformation from naive priest to tortured adulterer to hard-nosed careerist is riveting. Megan Turner

Product Details

• UPC: 043396004672
• Source: SONY PICTURES
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: Español, English
• Subtitles: English, Français, Español
• Time: 1:59:00
• Sales Rank: 19,576

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