Kirpianuscus
about faith as only manner to live. about the struggle to be Christian. all in the web of Bunuel's cruel and subtle irony. a remarkable film for the image of a way. for the crumbs from Don Quixote. for the science to explore social expectations and the self protection of many. grace full, courageous, cruel, cold, the same Bunuel who looking the decomposition of illusions. a man. and two woman. Mexican villages. the message. the sacrifice. and the shadow of doubt. it is more than a religious film. like each film of Bunuel, it represents perfect support for reflection. about life, people and faith's expressions. about ideal. and about its high price. nothing new, at the first sigh. but useful. for define yourself.
Armand
a Christian film. at first sigh. A speech about faith, goodness, charity, sacrifice, innocence. illustration for Imitatio Cristi. only problem - it is a Bunuel film. and this fact is present at each step. the images from Goya, the darkness of Romano-Catholic priests, the fall of Emaus way, the cruelty as basic ingredient. so, it is not a Crist portrait but only the testimony about vain fight against world. Rabal character may be another prince Mishkin. a new lamb in a small circle. because, for its director, the film remains only ticket for return in Spain. a form of E pur si muove. nothing else. the virtues of father Nazarin are only drawn flowers. and if it remains a Christian film, it is public merit.it is touching and strange. one of a great director works. and beautiful occasion for Francisco Rabal to do an admirable role.
Michael_Elliott
Nazarin (1958) *** (out of 4) Luis Bunuel's "religious" film about a good hearted priest (Francisco Rabal) who does anything he can to help sinners but this might cause his fall from grace. I don't normally mind Bunuel's overbearing religious stances but this film got on my nerves. Technically speaking it's well made and has a good performance by Rabal but it goes too over the top with its speeches about good and evil. The priest is just showed way too good and everyone else is just showed way too bad. The good vs. bad aspect just seems too false for me to take the film too serious.
mifunesamurai
A priest attempts to live as close to the word of God but gets shafted for it by the peasants, the church and the authorities. Only a prostitute and a woman in search of love follow his steps. It has a powerful message but delivered in a tame way because of the politics of the time.
AD
