In the name of the Father

"Mass Appeal" is a film that holds up quite well, despite its 31-year vintage, setting, characters and context. A major reason is the evergreen relevance of its themes, issues and ideas. And no, you don't have to be a churchgoing Catholic to appreciate this flick, either. Here is what our CineVerse group concluded about this lesser-known movie:

WHAT IS INTERESTING, DIFFERENT, OR UNEXPECTED ABOUT “MASS APPEAL”?

• Unlike so many depictions of priests in the movies from decades earlier, this film tackles real world issues that clergy and parishioners deal with in modern times and shows priests as human beings with flaws, problems, loneliness and temptations like alcohol.

• It shows you the private inner workings of the rectory and the real world lives of priests and priests in training.

• It has a story and characters that are relevant and interesting, even to non-Catholics and non-religious viewers.

• Topics breached in this film include the still controversial matters of female priests, homosexual priests, gay marriage, and even spiritual challenges in a secular world.

o An unnamed blogger at the All Roads Lead to Home blog wrote: “It deals with the issue of spiritual complacency, both on the part of parishioners and priests. Do we say the “right” thing, just to make nice? Do we step outside of our comfort zones enough to truly follow the gospel? Are we too worried about approval to stand for what’s right? Has the modern world numbed us to making Church attendance a social ritual rather than a worship offering?”

• However, some critics charge that the film enters into an ideological debate on some of these issues without actually resolving any of them. And the movie's conclusion is open ended without revealing the fates of either Father Farley or Mark.

THEMES EXPLORED IN THIS FILM:

• The importance of popularity, public image and relatability vs. the importance of social honesty, public veracity and open integrity: jelly donuts vs. women in the priesthood.

• The child becomes father to the man: Father Farley is assigned to mentor Mark, but Mark ends up teaching and inspiring Father Farley, serving as a catalyst for Farley’s change.

• Think for yourself, be inquisitive and don’t be afraid to ask questions: Many Christians are taught to accept church teachings as sacrosanct and not question doctrines and rules, but this film raises many interesting, serious points and debatable matters related to Catholic doctrines.

• Anyone is capable of change: Even the by-the-numbers, don’t-rock-the-boat personality of Father Farley, who goes to bat for Mark after he is expelled.

• The moral quandary of a priest who needs his flock more than they need him.

• Sacrifice and redemption.

DOES THIS FILM AND THE TOPICS IT TACKLES STILL RESONATE TODAY, CONSIDERING CONTROVERSIES AND CHANGES IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE SUBSEQUENT 33 YEARS?

• It’s still topically relevant in that it brings up issues that are still controversial, such as the church’s stance on female priests, gay marriage, and homosexuality. 

• However, it’s arguably difficult to imagine this picture being released for the first time now or being remade today following the pedophile sex abuse scandals of the past 20 years—it would be hard for a remake not to address this black eye of a problem.

• Arguably, this is a film without much commercial interest—“mass appeal,” if you will—today; how much bankable box office would it possibly have, especially considering how much participation in Catholicism has declined: Consider that, according to recent data published by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, nationwide, only 24 percent of Catholics go to Mass on an average Sunday, down from 55 percent in 1965; additionally, General Social Survey data in 2012 revealed that 27% of American Catholics called themselves “strong” Catholics, down more than 15 points since the mid-1980s and among the lowest levels seen in the 38 years since strength of religious identity was first measured by the survey.

HOW HAS THE HOLLYWOOD DEPICTION OF PRIESTS HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

• In the 20s, 30s and 40s, priests were typically shown as sage, benevolent patriarchs who whose moral authority was unimpeachable: consider the priests in Boys Town, Angels With Dirty Faces, and the Bells of St. Mary’s

• By the mid 40s and through the 60s, many movie priests suffered doubts, crises of faith or moral dilemmas: case in point, the priests in The Keys of the Kingdom, On the Waterfront, and I Confess.

• By the 1970s and 80s, priests were no longer infallible sacred cows; they were capable of failure, sin, and dysfunction: as evidence, think of the clergymen in horror films like The Exorcist, The Omen, and The Amityville Horror, and priests in Monsignor and The Thorn Birds.

• In the last 25 years, particularly following the church child sex abuse scandals, many men of the cloth have been portrayed onscreen as predatory, sadistic, and evil. To wit: the priests in The Boys of St. Vincent, Priest, The Magdalene Sisters, The DaVinci Code, Twist of Faith, Deliver Us From Evil, and Doubt.

OTHER FILMS SIMILAR TO “MASS APPEAL”

• Educating Rita

OTHER PROMINENT MOVIES THAT FEATURE PRIESTS AS MAIN CHARACTERS

• Going My Way

• Keys of the Kingdom

• On the Waterfront

• I Confess

• Priest

• Doubt