By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Onur Tukel
Starring: Annie McCain Engman | Edward Carnevale | Kevin Corrigan | Max Casella | Natalie Carter | Richard Mark Jordan | Thomas Jay Ryan
Country: united_states
Year: 2021
Running time: 98
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13694438/reference
Brett says: “From CATFIGHT director Onur Tukel comes a film generated out of the pandemic, and at the time of this writing, it sits at the top of the list among the many pandemic-inspired and topical films I’ve seen so far. SCENES FROM AN EMPTY CHURCH immediately deploys the hooks into an audience with familiar and relatable contemplations that bring back the feelings associated with desolated city streets, abandoned personal connections, and sets of rules that called into question life before the spread of the disease. While such a summary sounds like it might be simply rehashing what has become angst- or anxiety-driven cliches at this point, the setting of a quiet, empty church provides a base of operations unfamiliar to those of us subject to stay-at-home restrictions during this 2020-2021 stretch and serves as reserve of insight and perspective for the disillusionment that covered our cities and communities almost like an extraterrestrial blanket.
“Father Andrew (Kevin Corrigan) and Father James (Thomas Jay Ryan) are priests at a New York City church, freshly impacted from the passing of another fellow priest due to COVID-19. Each is impacted in his own way, but the divide and a shift in perspective that has been the result is the jumping off point for the story’s man vs. self series of veiled conflicts. The by-the-book protocols and shutdowns adopted by the church during this pandemic are temporarily interrupted when Paul (Max Casella), an old friend of Father Andrew who hasn’t had contact with the priest in about 10 years, reaches out and tries to establish a visit, ignoring the limitations of COVID protocols in place at the time of the film. SCENES FROM AN EMPTY CHURCH weaves in and out of combinations of interactions among this trio, each scene contributing to both physical and metaphysical considerations about the human condition as a result of the drastic changes befalling civilization as a result of the virus. The virus is not the topic; it is simply the instigator for the discussions of existence and meaningful living.
“The pacing and direction of this film is near perfect for the matters being discussed and the subsequent lack of “action” that accompanies such deep meditations. Assisting the dive into such thematic depths is the top tier level writing that spins some ingenious diction and allusions with layers upon layers of wit into conversational clarity for the viewer. Furthermore, the performances seal the deal, without question. In fact, at this stage in 2021, the all-around cast ranks among the greatest overall ensemble performances of the year.
“The film takes matters that perhaps some of us were always thinking and now are able to put into words. Perhaps more accurately, it provides thoughts we may not have had but wish we were still and reflective enough to have made ourselves. There is a meditative dialogue in each scene, and it is not overstating to, again, compliment the highly nuanced acting performances that make these moments far removed from the borderline of esoteric. Each character juxtaposes so well with the other in each one-on-one pairing during each scene.
“In the midst of this, a rather David Lynch-like phenomenon eventually rears its head that heightens the preceding scenes of banter and deliberation about existence. Holistically, it is enlightening; it’s disturbing, it’s charming; it’s funny, its dead serious; it’s questionable, and it’s affirmative: a veritable medley of waltzes across the pandemic dance floor.
“The specific plot points and thematic discussions are best served as a fresh plate for viewers and do not need the specifics explained away or spoiled here. Instead, they are best suited for group discussion after the viewing party reaches the closing credits together. Although the pandemic lingers, the height of the uncertainty is reflected in such a way that makes the crisis somehow feel further removed than just the mere months ago that we all just experienced. Perhaps part of the healing—but also lingering doubt, ironically enough—is contained within the film as the audience explores along its characters. 4 astral planar cats“