The Crime of Padre Amaro

2002

The Crime of Padre Amaro

Critics Consensus

Though melodramatic, El Crimen del Padre Amaro's critique of the Catholic church is a timely one.

61%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 83

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Movie Info

A priest discovers the path of virtue can be steep, and temptation can demand a heavy price, in this controversial drama from Mexico. Father Amaro (Gael Garcia Bernal) is a young Catholic priest whose mentor, the Bishop (Ernesto Gomez Cruz), expects great things from him. However, like all priests, Amaro must first be assigned where he is needed most, which leads him to the small rural community of Los Reyes, where Amaro is to assist Father Benito (Sancho Gracia). To his shock, Amaro discovers Benito is hardly following Holy Law -- he's having an affair with Sanjuanera (Angelica Aragon), a woman who runs a local restaurant, and he's been helping a drug dealer launder his profits in exchange for large donations to the church, which Benito feels is justified as the funds are being used to build a hospital and orphanage for the poor. Amaro is disgusted with Benito's actions, but he soon discovers his own weaknesses when he falls in love with Amelia (Ana Claudia Talancon), Sanjuanera's teenage daughter. As Amelia finds herself falling for Amaro, she breaks off her relationship with Ruben (Andres Montiel), a reporter. Ruben responds by publishing a story which reveals the details of Benito's dealings with the drug dealers; Benito in turn tries to lay the blame at the feet of noble Father Natalio (Damian Alcazar), whose work with local peasants has been wrongly interpreted as supporting armed revolutionary factions. As Amaro tries desperately to distance himself from the growing scandal, he receives shocking news from Amelia when he learns she's pregnant with his child. The Crime of Father Amaro's portrayal of corruption within the Catholic Church led to an outcry from Catholic organizations, both in Mexico and the United States, where they attempted to organize a boycott of the film. However, the tactic failed in Mexico, where the controversy helped to boost ticket sales, making it the highest-grossing Mexican film ever in its native country.

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Cast

Gael García Bernal
as Father Amaro
Sancho Gracia
as Father Benito
Ana Claudia Talancón
as Amelia
Damián Alcázar
as Father Natalio
Angélica Aragón
as Augustina
Luisa Huertas
as Dionisia
Ernesto Gomez Cruz
as Bishop
Pedro Armendáriz
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
as Presidente Municipal
Gastón Melo
as Martin
Andrés Montiel
as Ruben
Gerardo Moscoso
as Doc
Juan Ionacio Aranda
as Chato Aquilar
Alfredo Gonzales
as Old Man
Pedro Aemendariz
as The Mayor
Verónica Langer
as Amparita, the Mayor's Wife
Lorenzo de Rodas
as Don Paco de la Rosa
Roger Nevares
as Father Galvin
Fernando Becerril
as Galarza
Jorge Zárate
as Father Mauro
Rosa Maria Castillo
as Chapina
Blanca Loaria
as Getsemani
Martín Zapata
as MP Agent
Dagoberto Gama
as Lucas
Rogelio Rojas
as Photographer
Jorge Castillo
as Matias
Mario Figueroa
as Chente
Enrique Vasquez
as Assailant No.1
Cristo Yanez
as Assailant No.2
Raúl Azkenazi
as Hueso
Marina Vera
as Head Assailant
Leticia Valenzuela
as Doctor
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
as El Presidente Municipal Gordo
Raul Askenazi
as Hueso
Carmen Giminez Cacho
as Mother Hada
Juan Ignacio Aranda
as Chato Aguilar
Roberto Linares
as Tiburon
Victor Hernández
as Guaraura
Isidra Morales
as Dionisia's Friend
Martha Posternack
as Chato Aquilar's Wife
Ines Cuspinera
as Chato Baby's Godmother
Jose Luis Caballero
as Chato Baby's Godfather
Vanesa Barba
as Chato Baby
Paloma Cobos
as Pleading MP
Enrique Gilardi
as Drug Friend No.1
Jaime Cancino
as Drug Friend No.2
Pablo Hoyos
as Drug Friend No.3
Daniel Posterman
as Drug Friend No. 4
Dino Demichelis
as Drug Friend No. 5
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Critic Reviews for The Crime of Padre Amaro

All Critics (83) | Top Critics (33)

  • For all of the criticisms of the Church in El Crimen del Padre Amaro, Carrera is quick to defend the basic humanity of his characters.

    Feb 14, 2003 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Howell

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • It's not hard to see why Mexican audiences are lapping this up.

    Feb 14, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • A lurid but timeless reminder that the bureaucracies and regulations of organized religion have nothing to do -- indeed are often at odds -- with living a God-ward life.

    Dec 10, 2002 | Full Review…

    Ann Hornaday

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • Nothing more than a stifling morality tale dressed up in peekaboo clothing.

    Dec 5, 2002

    Stephanie Zacharek

    Salon.com
    Top Critic

  • The director Carlos Carrera, who is acceptably talented, keeps the story on track -- on its various tracks.

    Dec 2, 2002

    Stanley Kauffmann

    The New Republic
    Top Critic

  • Lurid drama that goes to ridiculously great lengths to draw its sad and tawdry picture.

    Nov 30, 2002 | Rating: C

    Robert Denerstein

    Denver Rocky Mountain News
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (83)

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