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Middletown (2006)

Average rating

(51%)

Starring:	Eva Birthistle \| Gerard McSorley \| Charlene McKenna \| Daniel Mays \| Matthew MacFadyen
Director:	Brian Kirk
Studio:	HIGH FLIERS DISTRIBUTION
Run time:	88 mins
Genres:	Thriller
Languages:	English
Released:	March 05, 2007

After almost an entire lifetime spent in religious instruction, Gabriel returns to his small Irish town as the new preacher. But the town is full of drinking and gambling, and Gabriel's younger brother Jim and sister-in-law Caroline are no exceptions. Soon Gabriel learns that Caroline does not attend church, runs the local pub across from the church on the Sabbath, and refuses to have her child baptised. Jim, the flat-broke black sheep of the family, quickly becomes caught between his brother's beliefs and his wife's strong-mindedness. As a messenger of God, Gabriel believes he must save the townspeople, especially his brother, his sister-in-law, and the couple's unborn child. The battle for their souls brings about some surprising revelations on all sides.

Highest rated reviews

3 out of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4.0 stars
Celluloid Marmite

A Customer from Reading, 30th July, 2008

Opinion is clearly divided with regards to this film, and I thought that it was excellent. It was well- paced and moving with some superb performances from a strong cast. Far from mere 'Catholic-bashing', I found this a highly relevant piece on the fallibility of all organised religion in the interpretation of any holy text (I know how boring that sounds, but it is a genuinely gripping story). Without wanting to give away the ending, the Reverend manages to justify his actions to himself by quoting bible verse- a chillingly familiar scenario in modern times, whether in the form of right-wing Christian evangelists or militant Islamic fundamentalists. I don't really take the time to review many films here, but the score really belies the film's quality. Also, I felt compelled to do so after reading the one-star review containing the phrase: 'I rented this film hoping to see Matthew MacFadyen looking dishy' No. Just no.

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Most recent reviews

Rated 5.0 stars
Entirely True

A Customer from England., 2nd April, 2008

This film raised feelings of horror in me that have been dormant since my Irish childhood. Comfortable people in comfortable countries, i.e. countries outside of Ireland (north & south), may find this film distasteful, or believe it impossible. Those who know Ireland may acknowledge the truth of the film but question why there should be any need to depict it. The reason for this film is this: history is cyclical and we all need to be aware of the potential for wrong-doing in all of us. This film portrays the religious puritanism of Ireland, whether Catholic or Protestant. Thankfully, Catholicism & Protestantism are dying throughout Ireland & Northern Ireland and the atmosphere depicted in this film is becoming less common. However, it will take many generations for the influences of such domination to be washed from the Irish psyche. Only 20 or 30 years ago there were no such revelations as in this film or in the somewhat similar 'The Magdalene Sisters' (ensure you see that film as well!). Today the evil of religious domination throughout Ireland is out in the open, and revelations of past abuse in religious institutions continues to seep into the news. For those who have suffered under the Irish brands of Catholicism & Protestantism films such as this are immensely cathartic. In addition, they warn us all of the dangers of religious control - regardless of the religion. For those who might say this film doesn't pertain to the new reality of current Ireland, it should be borne in mind that the message of this film is universal and it pertains equally to religions outside Ireland, to evangelical & fundamentalist Christian groups, to Islam, and to other religions & cults throughout the world.

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