Our Fathers (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Dan Curtis

Writers (WGA):

David France (book)
Thomas Michael Donnelly (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 May 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The catholic church in an age of scandal.

Plot:

A dramatized account of the hidden sexual abuse and scandal that shook the foundation of the Catholic Church, and the characters, events, and policies that brought the abuse and scandal into existence.

Plot Keywords:

Cardinal | Scandal | Church | Priest | Catholic Church

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 5 nominations

Cast

Ted Danson	...	Mitchell Garabedian
Christopher Plummer	...	Cardinal Bernard Law
Brian Dennehy	...	Father Dominic Spagnolia
Daniel Baldwin	...	Angelo DeFranco
Ellen Burstyn	...	Mary Ryan
Kenneth Welsh	...	Bishop Murphy
Will Lyman	...	Wilson Rogers Jr.
Wayne Best	...	Father Doyle
Colin Fox	...	Daniel Kibbe
James Oliver	...	Patrick McSorley
Jan Rubes	...	Pope John Paul
Steven Shaw	...	John J. Geoghan
Damien Atkins	...	Young Geoghan
Hugh Thompson	...	Tom Blanchette
Aidan Devine	...	Bernie McDaid

MPAA:

Rated R for language, including some graphic depictions of sexual abuse.

Runtime:

USA:130 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Finland:K-11

Company:

Dan Curtis Productions

Quotes:

Cardinal Bernard Law: [To Olan] The church didn't fail you. I failed you.

Why did this happen to me?

It was 40 years ago when I first became disillusioned with my church. Even then I did not abandon it. I was fully involved - altar boy, seminarian, Knights of Columus - the works. It wasn't until later when the abuses by priests were disclosed, and I was doing sexual abuse investigations myself for Child Protective Services, that I finally got fed up. I sent my baptismal certificate to the military ordinate and asked to be formally excommunicated. They told me to request it in my local parish. What, from another sexually abusing priest? No, thank you. I consider myself excommunicated even if they won't give me a letter.

This film brought it all back. The only reason I do not rate it higher was the fact that there was enough information here for three films. Other than that, it was outstanding.

Ted Danson probably starred in the best role of his career, at least from my standpoint. He was great as the lawyer that took on the almighty church and brought it down. Unfortunately, the church was able to stall real reforms, and you can be sure that priests continue to abuse today.

Christopher Plummer, as Cardinal Law, was magnificent. You almost believed that he truly did not know what he was doing. Don't be fooled. He got a promotion out of the scandal he caused by hiding those pedophile priests. He is living the good life in Rome today.

Brian Dennehy was superb as Father Spags, a gay priest who spoke out against Cardinal Law and was banished because of it.

This film opened old wounds that I hoped were healed. They were opened when Cardinal Law presided at the funeral mass of Pope John II. Those who yell for Sainthood for this pope should know that he allowed Law to remain in Boston and gave him the cushy job in Rome after he was finally forced to resign. Rome knew and let it continue.

This moving was a great film that shows how absolute power corrupts.