Review by John Delia
Presenting a look at the negative aspect of Catholic Church leaders and their wrongdoings, The Club delves into a fictional story of a sanctuary where Catholic priests are commanded to stay in isolation from public contact. The film exemplifies and denigrates the men who were found at fault involving sexual issues in their parishes. The Club paints a negative picture of the priests and also shows the severity for what they are responsible.
Following a visual introduction of the central players and where they live by a coast with rough seas in Chile, the story begins showing a Greyhound race with Sister Monica (Antonia Zegers) getting her dog Rayo into the starting gate. From a long distance up a hill we see 4 priests, Father RamÃrez (Alejandro Sieveking), Father Ortega (Alejandro Goic), Father Vidal (Alfredo Castro) and Father Silva (Jaime Vadell), looking through field glasses at the race. Rayo wins and the Padres are elated with their victory.
The next afternoon a new guest, Father Matias Lazcano (José Soza), is introduced to the group and that he will be living them. The same day Sandokan (Roberto Farias), an intoxicated stranger, appears in a walkway outside the house yelling accusations that he was a victim of sexual molestation and rape by Father Lazacano. Getting louder by the minute and not stopping his taunting, a gun is placed in the hand of Father Lazacano’s and urged to go out to the man and scare him away. But, a strange thing happens that will start a wave of disclosure and evil revealing all their sins.
Director Pablo LarraÃn (No, Post Mortem) takes his audience into the center of the “retirement†home for a close look at the fictional Fathers that were forced into isolation for wrong doing. He focuses on the sorrow, grief and yet the will to live beyond their issues. One in denial, another working on forgiveness, with the other two searching for answers that seem to never come. It’s a perfect mixture of soul searchers who do not foresee a good future, but want to live an acceptable one. That is until Sandokan comes along reminding them that they are human and forgiveness comes in very small measures for what they did. And, especially from the crisis counselor Father Garcia (Marcelo Alonso) sent to evaluate the situation.
The actors are extremely good and brave for taking on the very controversial roles. They work their characters to be very different from each other yet are equal to the same fate and disparagement. Living in the group home has allowed them the freedom from public eye and for that has given the priests some peace. When memories of their wrong doings are awakened by the appearance of Sandokan, each wants the crazed man out from their lives. Something only a violent act will remedy.
The outstanding performances come from two actors, Antonia Zegers as Sister Monica a woman who’s belief in protecting the Fathers forces her to do things unbecoming a Nun. She’s a surrogate mother to the occupants for this special home and feels responsible if something goes wrong. Zegers’ Monica is a little psychotic in that respect and she bares the dark side of her soul to save her charges.
As the victim Sandokan, Roberto Farias creates this downtrodden vagabond who has followed Father Lacanzo looking for admittance to the crimes done to him. He also wants comfort and acceptance for what he has become. He accepts himself as a homosexual and wants others to do the same, especially Lacanzo whom he was taught to love as a boy. It’s a crushing performance and one that you will likely not forget.
The music provides a somber mood throughout the film and the cinematography has a dark side showing the house on a dank and dreary coastline where the screenplay takes place. Nicely directed by Cinematographer Sergio Armstrong with music by Carlos Cabezas their work elevates the implications and drama associated with the movie.
In the American film Spotlight on tap for a possible Oscar for Best Picture the subject matter in The Club is approached in different ways, but each show the gravity of the crimes and how the church has hidden it. Here Pablo LarraÃn gets more direct, showing how those that are identified as molesters by the church are living in seclusion out of sight and out of mind. Or so they thought.
The Club has not been rated by the MPAA, contains violence, sex, nudity and language. The film is shown in the Spanish Language with English Subtitles.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film that shows consequences for bad deeds. (B)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Alfredo Castro, Roberto FarÃas, Antonia Zegers, Jaime Vadell, Alejandro Goic, Alejandro Sieveking, Marcelo Alonso, José Soza, Francisco Reyes
Directed and Written by: Pablo LarraÃn
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, Contains violence, language, sex, nudity
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
Release Date: February 12, 2016
Distributed by: Music Box Films