What would you do if a man told you he was going to kill you in just a few days’ time… for something you had nothing to do with? Such is the dilemma facing a small-town priest in Calvary, a surprisingly effective drama starring Brendan Gleeson.

The movie begins with a confession: a man was abused by a priest when he was a boy, and he is going to kill Father James--a good priest who has no connection to the crime--because doing so will be more disconcerting to the Catholic Church than killing a priest who deserves it.

Talk about unfair punishment.

The rest of the movie has the good-natured James visiting various parishioners and other individuals as he tries to figure out what to do--does he meet the “anonymous” man at the requested time, or does he do what a rational person would do and go the police? Along the way, he encounters all kinds of crazy individuals:

• A man who is accused of beating his wife
• A millionaire who is obsessed with power and is willing to literally piss on priceless paintings to prove it
• Father James’ own daughter, who recently attempted to commit suicide

Gleeson delivers a great performance as his character navigates the minefield of individual sin. Despite a relatively short running time, writer/director John Michael McDonagh paints an intricate picture of complicated characters, each with their dark secrets and disturbing--but very human--thoughts. The movie is depressing, but its ending is memorable and profound.

Calvary isn’t for everyone, but it is one of the better movies of 2014.

Review by Erik Samdahl.