CONFESSION

US, 2005, 95 minutes, Colour.
Chris Pine, Cameron Daddo, Bruce Davison, Tom Bosley, Peter Greene, Lukas Behnken, Adam Bussell, Robert Pine, Kate Vernon.
Directed by Jonathan Meyers.

Confession has as its theme, the seal of confession. This has been a popular ingredient of thrillers since the 1920s, with a film called Confession, reprised in I Confess. The theme was used to different purposes in Antonia Byrd’s Priest.

The film is set in a Catholic boarding school. Chris Pine plays the young man who is something of a rebel, everything of an exploiter. If any of the boys want anything illicit, he is the man to go to, even disguising himself as a priest to go to the shops. When he is reported and expelled, he threatens the young man who exposed him and kills him. He confesses to Father Kelly, played by Cameron Daddo, who comes under suspicion as the last person to see the boy alive.

The film shows a range of priests working at the school, Father Kelly being something of a loner with a past, trying to be a man of integrity, especially with the seal of confession. Chris Pine’s young man exploits the situation, especially with the police and detectives who come to investigate the case.

The film is a small drama, but interesting, especially for Catholics and those interested in the role of the seal of confession. The writer-director, Jonathan Meyers, wrote the screenplay when he was fourteen.

1. The title, the tradition of confession, the seal of confession, the killer’s, confession, the priest under suspicion? Ingredients for drama and melodrama?

2. The picture of the school, the boarding school, 21st century style? The priests on the staff, the classrooms, the dormitories, the recreation rooms, the chapel? The style? Discipline and lack of discipline? The permissive 21st century touch?

3. The credibility of the priest characters, their work, interactions with the boys, discipline, friendship, counselling?

4. Luther Scott, his age, character, seemingly genial, his control over Robbie, everybody going to him for their drugs, alcohol, pornography, his going to the shops, the deception, carrying himself off as a priest? The interaction with the authorities? The senator, meeting the boys, thinking about his son coming to the school? The party, caught, his telling the authorities about Luther?

5. David and his character, status, the reaction of the boys, Luther, the confrontation, the discussions with Father Kelly, David’s death?

6. Father Kelly, decent, ordinary, interactions with Luther, with David, the last to see him alive? The police? His being aloof, his background and the past? The continued police suspicions? Questioning?

7. Luther and his feelings, guilt or not? The confession? Robbie weak, caught by Luther’s domination?

8. The police, their characters, their routine work, interviews, investigations?

9. The principal, the visit of the senator, the questions?

10. The police, the other priests, communication, their characters?

11. The finale, the final confrontation, melodrama – and justice?