Corpus Christi

A worthy also-ran to Parasite’s guaranteed Academy Award win for Best International Film, fiery Poland export Corpus Christi succeeds in large part thanks to lead actor Bartosz Bielenia’s captivating physical appearance.

Resembling a male, skeletal Angelina Jolie, his haunted look is an apt fit for young ex-con Daniel, who, after learning that he can't get into seminary because of his criminal record, amusingly bumbles his way into a substitute vicarage position in a village that's grieving a recent tragedy.

Stumbling into a position for which he’s sporadically qualified, Daniel charms the parishioners with his rock star priest ways, humorously injecting New New Testament thinking into their stale daily lives and wittily exploiting the power of his role to enact change and expose corruption within the community.

Though his past inevitably catches up with him, Corpus Christi offers enough creative twists on the “mysterious stranger with a secret comes to town and provides new perspectives” trope to feel fresh and vibrant, and Daniel’s genuine desire to help the townspeople heal their festering wounds turns the whole notion of traditional ministry delightfully upside down.

Through nicely-paced storytelling, crisp visuals, and a decent mystery surrounding the aforementioned deadly event’s truth, director Jan Komasa’s and screenwriter Mateusz Pacewicz’s film joins Calvary and First Reformed in the the ranks of recent intelligent works about faith that challenge and inspire viewers rather than pander to them.

If only its ending had stuck the proverbial landing, Corpus Christi would easily be in Grade A-level territory, but even so, it’s a solid exploration of religion and rule-bending in the name of truly serving humanity.

Grade: B-plus. Not rated, but with nudity, violence, and adult language and content. Now available to rent via Grail Moviehouse’s Sofa Cinema

(Photo: Film Movement)