This is a very powerful documentary. The filmmaker, Amy Berg, wisely allowed the players to tell the story. What is could be more eloquent than a father's tears that he was unable to protect his daughter or an impish smile on a pedophile as he writes his notes of apology, or the lawyer advising his client, a cardinal, not to answer how it was possible to not remember repeated cases of abuse among his clergy. Amazing stuff.
Other parts of the film are not so good. Ms Berg, somewhat understandably, can not seem to avoid editorializing by filming part of the interview with the pedophile near a playground or shooting the descent into hell sequence at the beginning. Also, too much time was spent with the renegade reformer Catholic priest and his views which are not Catholic ones, as initially presented. These and other Michael Moore type moments in the film are minor quibbles, and for the most part, the story is poignantly told by the participants.
Strangely enough, the major villain is not the creepy pedophile, O'Grady. Although an obvious manipulator and liar (like most pedophiles he *claims* he was abused as a boy by both his siblings and his priest whose name he can't recall...) he seems to be very simple and perhaps a bit mentally challenged. Much worse is the cardinal who secured his position by allowing and at least 100 other priests to continue their abuse and the institution that allows it to continue.
Other parts of the film are not so good. Ms Berg, somewhat understandably, can not seem to avoid editorializing by filming part of the interview with the pedophile near a playground or shooting the descent into hell sequence at the beginning. Also, too much time was spent with the renegade reformer Catholic priest and his views which are not Catholic ones, as initially presented. These and other Michael Moore type moments in the film are minor quibbles, and for the most part, the story is poignantly told by the participants.
Strangely enough, the major villain is not the creepy pedophile, O'Grady. Although an obvious manipulator and liar (like most pedophiles he *claims* he was abused as a boy by both his siblings and his priest whose name he can't recall...) he seems to be very simple and perhaps a bit mentally challenged. Much worse is the cardinal who secured his position by allowing and at least 100 other priests to continue their abuse and the institution that allows it to continue.