Saw this film the other night on BBC 1. It was timed for transmission shortly after an episode of "Without a Trace" being screened on Channel 4. As Anthony LaPaglia was the starring role in the film and the TV show it made for an interesting comparison. In the event LaPaglia was in sensitive mode in both, which though he is admirably capable of chewing up the scenery as good as Al Pacino, that he didn't, instead investing the characters with warmth and an amazing depth of feeling, just served to indicate what an excellent actor he is(see "Without a Trace - Malone v. Malone" for comparison). The film in question was good, and very understated, much to its credit. The cinematography was beautiful. The acting by all the cast was good throughout. Though this kind of story (priest suffering a crisis of conscience) has been done before I don't think I have ever seen a version of this theme executed in such a restrained yet tender manner. For this the credit must go equally to the scriptwriter and the wonderful sense of callowness mixed with sensitivity with which LaPaglia endowed the role of Don Paolo.
Review of The Garden of Redemption
The Garden of Redemption
(1997 TV Movie)
WW2 story of callow priest caught up in something beyond his capabilities
19 October 2005